Campus Spiritual and Religious Groups

This group creates a space to get together on a regular basis to meditate and explore various teachings of Buddhism. Anyone interested, including students, faculty,staff and Grinnell community members, is welcome to join the group sporadically or on a regular basis. If you would like to be on the group e-mail list, send a message to [buddhism], or if you have any questions about the group, please email [BUDDHADHARMA].

A group of students interested in maintaining or rediscovering their Catholic faith through meeting other Catholic students, discussing important issues surrounding the church, and participating in volunteer activities. Students gather for bible study at 10:00 am at the CRSSJ (1233 Park Street) Sunday mornings prior to attending 11:00 am Mass. Or more information contact ext.4981 or e-mail [CATHOLIC].

Chalutzim (Hebrew for Pioneers), the Jewish student organization, is a diverse community in which students celebrate and learn about Judaism. We hold religious services on campus as well as educational, cultural and social programming. We also participate in interfaith dialogue, multicultural activities and promote diversity on campus. All of our activities are open to everyone.

Jewish Programs

*Chalutzim Cabinet meeting is held every Wednesday at 12 noon in the Chalutzim Lounge of the JR '25 Center (Suite 209 O & P)
*Shabbat Services each Friday at 5:00 p.m. in room 227 of the JR '25 Center.
*Shabbat Dinner each Friday at 6:15 p.m. in room 209 (B & C) of the JR '25 Center.
(reservations are required)
*Rosh HaShanah and Yom Kippur Services are held in Main Lounge. Festivals and other holidays are celebrated throughout the year.
*Torah Study is held weekly, led by students and the Rabbi.
*A campus-wide Passover Seder is held and kosher for Passover food is available in the dining halls.

See Chaplain's Office News and Events for a current list of Jewish activities.

E-mail [CHALUTZ]

The Christian Science Organization is composed of students, faculty, and staff who are striving to perceive the spiritual sense of the Scriptures and to apply this understanding to their daily lives, demonstrating the science of Christianity. At the weekly meetings we explore issues together and share ideas and experiences relating to our individual spiritual progress. Anyone seeking a deeper awareness of the dominion of Spirit and its spiritual resources is welcome to attend. For information on meeting dates and locations, e-mail: [ROBERTDC]

GIRS is dedicated to gathering background information about a variety of religions and spirituality; provides a forum for informal conversation about all kinds of religious issues; and initiates more formal conversations in the form of speakers brought to campus.

For information contact the Chaplain's Office at ext. 4981or e-mail [HAMILTON].

Grinnell College Christian Fellowship is a community of women and men dedicated to cultivating a relationship with Jesus Christ. We believe that claiming Jesus as Lord involves both words and deeds. Though actions cannot redeem an individual, they do demonstrate the sincerity of any words spoken. We believe that all people are called by God into personal relationship with Him and that we should deliberately cultivate that relationship. To help in this we sponsor weekly Bible studies and a worship service and we encourage regular church attendance. We invite the entire campus community to join us in these activities as we explore our faith. For information on meeting dates and locations e-mail: [GCCF]

For information regarding the celebration of holy days, contact the CRSSJ at ext. 4981.

For information on meeting and worship times and locations, please contact ext. 4981 for more information.

The Muslim Prayer Group meets for weekly prayer on Friday afternoons in the Center for Religion, Spirituality and Social Justice at 1233 Park Street. For specific time information contact the CRSSJ Office at ext. 4981.

An opportunity for Christian Orthodox students gather with Father Basil Hickman , from the Greek Orthodox Church of Des Moines, Iowa. Father Basil Hickman is the adjunct religious leader in the Chaplain's Office, sponsored by the Lilly Endowment Grant. We also celebrate Pascha each spring and organize worship opportunities with Orthodox communities in Des Moines or Cedar Rapids. For more information contact the Chaplain's Office at ext. 4981.

Paganism is not a single religion, but a diverse collection of beliefs. Most pagans draw from a number of different traditions, including Celtic, Native American, Greek, Asian and African spiritualities. Most pagans are very earth-oriented. Some pagans worship a central deity called Goddess. Others worship a God and a Goddess, a single nongendered deity, or an entire pantheon. Many pagans believe that divinity is found within oneself. Nearly all pagans believe in the importance of finding your own path and creating an individual spirituality. For information on meeting dates and locations e-mail: [PDC].

For information on meeting dates contact X4981.

Unitarianism and Universalism date back to the fourth century, when they arose in response to the Christian doctrines of the Trinity and multiple afterlives, respectively. Unitarian Universalists believe in the inherent worth and dignity of every individual, and respect for the interdependent web of existence. Most UUs also believe that Jesus and other famous prophets were "ordinary" humans, that souls are not punished after death, and that religious insight can come from anyone or anything, not just certain books and certain places. UUs are not required to believe anything specific at all; there is no creed and no dogma.

The Unitarian Universalists on campus meet weekly for discussion, worship, and fun and games, which are, according to our beliefs, largely interchangeable. For information on meeting dates and locations e-mail: [UU].

Herrick Chapel is open daily for prayer and meditation. A scheduled morning meditation in Herrick is from 7:30 - 8:00 a.m. The prayer and meditation room is located on the second floor of the center for Religious, Spiritual and Social Justice. It is available Monday - Friday 8:00 am - 12 midnight. If you are interested in reserving any of these spaces please call Cheryl Fleener-Seymour at ext. 4981 or e-mail : [FLEENERS].

Please drop by the Chaplain's Office at 1233 Park St. to view the multi-religious periodical library. Magazines and journals may be burrowed and checked out.

In December 2001, the Lilly Endowment, under its Program for the Theological Exploration of Vocation, awarded Grinnell College nearly $1.5 million to fund a five-year project to foster dialogue on campus about religion and ethical values and to promote greater conversation on the ways our pluralistic community of students can be supported in the reflecting on vocation within the context of their liberal arts education, their beliefs, social commitments, and religious practices.

In addition to these student groups, the Office of Religious, Spiritual, and Social Justice also offers a variety of programs, including:

Bible Study
read through the Bible in a year.

Black Church at Grinnell
Monthly African-American Christian Worship.

Food and Faith
an exploration of the spirituality and ethics of eating.

Food and Thought
take a professor to lunch.

Morning Meditation and Prayer
Weekdays in the Chapel.

Pre-Seminary Group
for those considering religious professions in any tradition.

Social Justice Action Group
coordinates a weekly, free community meal.

Spiritual Saunters
monthly excursions in the outdoors.

Spring Break Trips
an adventure in service and social justice.

For more information on these and other programs contact the Chaplains Office (X4981).