After 20 years of serving in ministry and 16 years of guiding the spiritual core of the College, Interim Chaplain Gwendolyn King will finally be taking a much-needed sabbatical.
For King, who just celebrated her 20th anniversary of ministry on August 10, the decision to leave was not an easy one, nor will be saying good-bye.
About two years ago, King said she began praying for guidance as to what direction God wanted her to pursue.
"I was beginning to feel the stress and strain of being in ministry for 20 years," she said. "In that amount of time, I've had no break. In the life of a minister, you take time to reflect, to relax, to be still, and it's hard to be still at Dartmouth."
King became the assistant chaplain of the College in August of 1984, and then she was promoted to Christian chaplain a year later. In 1998, she became the interim College chaplain after the departure of the Rabbi chaplain.
In light of all the transitions within the Tucker Foundation, where the chaplaincy is located, and the arrival of their new dean, King felt the time was right to go on sabbatical.
"I came into ministry to be a campus pastor, and I think God knows that," she said. "Coming to Dartmouth was a call for me. I came to Dartmouth by God's grace and I leave Dartmouth with God's grace."
The first event on her agenda is actually a trip to Disney World with her parents. They have not had a family trip together since King's high school days.
After visiting Disney's new Wild Animal Kingdom, King will be traveling to Jerusalem, a pilgrimage that she is especially excited about.
"I've never been to the Holy Lands," she said. "It's the coming together of the Christian, Jewish and Muslim faiths, a coming together of truths."
King's next stop will be Taiz, France, another country she has never visited, to participate in the ecumenical brotherhood located there. Then she will go on to Geneva, Switzerland to spend time at the World Council of Churches and the Lutheran World Federation offices.
King estimates her traveling will last a year. After that, she plans to stay open to new paths in her life and is hopeful for the future.
"I know God will speak, I just have to be a good listener," she said.
During her 16 years with the College, King has witnessed many changers in religious life on campus. The diversity of religions represented on campus has expanded, but the number of students arriving without any denominational affiliation has also grown.
King said such students are much more broader-based in their perspectives. "You can be a Jewish Buddhist," she exclaimed.
The new Dean of the Tucker Foundation Reverend Dr. Stuart Lord will be responsible for selecting the new College chaplain. As an ordained minister, he can offer prayer at major functions until the position has been filled.
Finding someone to continue King's achievements and popularity will not be easy, however.
"What impresses me most about Reverend King is her energy and commitment to students and the Dartmouth community at large," said John Brett '00, who has known King and worked with her since his freshman year. "She is available not only in the professional role, but also as a friend and personal support for those who need her."
King expressed great thanks to all her colleagues at the Tucker Foundation and the Dean's Office, as well as to all the students, faculty and staff of the College for being such a wonderful part of her ministry experience.
She also acknowledged the great work of the other 32 campus ministers, whom she credits with bridging the gap between the various religious groups and allowing an open exchange despite their diversities.
When asked to reflect on her experiences here, King became overwhelmed with memories.
"I've laughed with people who are happy, I've cried with people who are sad, I've embraced people who needed embracing."
She recalled times of avidly cheering for the women's basketball team, growing as a black woman, flying her rainbow kite on the Green and learning from the Native Americans and the Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender students, among other organizations on campus.
In fact, King said she has learned from those who have come to her for guidance. She felt she especially gained a richer understanding of faith through worshipers outside of her own Christian perspective, including Muslims, Hindus and Tibetan Monks.
"How do you sum up 16 years of blessing? I am a truly blessed woman, and I have been fortunate enough to have had the opportunity to be invited into the lives of people as they journey," she said. "That has been a rich and cherished gift."
"I am not a graduate of Dartmouth, but Dartmouth is truly a part and will remain a significant part of who I am. I will continue to pray for the people and this place, and I hope God will continue to bless it as I have been blessed by it."
