Religious Life
We are proud of our affiliation with the Presbyterian Church (USA), and equally proud of the many spiritual traditions represented among our students. We offer a wide variety of Religious Life programs and activities to help interested students think about their authentic faith in an increasingly diverse world.
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What do we value?
Presbyterian Traditions
You may be wondering what a “Covenant Relationship” with the Presbyterian church looks like at Austin College. It means that we approach every student with humility, hospitality, and honesty. Humility means we don’t claim to tell students whether or how to have faith or what their faith should be. Hospitality means that we work hard to help every interested student find communities to live out their chosen faith. Honesty means we continue to cherish our historic and ongoing relationship with the Presbyterian church. It is because we are related to the Presbyterian church that we approach every student with humility, hospitality, and honesty.
- Bible Study & Worship
- Many Spiritual Traditions
- Westminster & Sara Bernice Moseley Scholars
- ACtivators
- Sallie Majors Religious Life Interns
Bible Study & Worship
Austin College students participate in
- Sunday evening communion services in Wynne Chapel, Sallie Majors Chapel, which are planned and led by students from a variety of Christian traditions;
- weekly Lectio Divina Bible studies based on the common lectionary and tied to the following Sunday’s worship service;
- Christian and non-Christian student religious groups including:
- ACtivators Mobile Youth Ministry Team
- Catholic Students Association
- Hindu Students Association/Indian Cultural Association
- Intervarsity Christian Fellowship
- Jewish Students Association
- Muslim Students Association
Bible Study
“BS with JW” is a weekly Bible Study on Tuesday nights at 5:30 p.m. in the Wright Campus Center. Any interested student is welcome! Bring your tray and your brain and we will provide the rest.
Worship
Every Sunday evening at 6 p.m., there is a non-denominational Christian communion service planned and led by Austin College students in the Sallie Majors Chapel in Wynne Chapel. The membership and activity of these groups vary from year to year depending on student leadership and participation.
Many Spiritual Traditions
- Buddhist Students
- Hindu Students
- Jewish Students
- Muslim Students
- Roman Catholic Students
- UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST STUDENTS
Buddhist Students
“My ability to study religions at Austin College from an objective perspective mirrored the Buddhist truth of non-attachment. Furthermore, my ability to compare and contrast these ideas and ideals with those of the West (particularly the sciences) made my Austin College experience especially holistic.”Ariel Ketcherside,Buddhist
The Austin College community includes Buddhist students and faculty members who meet together for study, meditation, and support. Many also frequently visit worship sessions in local Buddhist Centers in the Dallas-Ft. Worth Metroplex.
For more information, contact Dr. Ivette Vargas-O’Bryan, or Chaplain John Williams (903.813.2220).
Hindu Students
“I never thought that coming to a small private school in Sherman with a religious affiliation would lead me more to my religion, but there is such openness and it embraces diversity.”Parth Shahriel,Hindu
“They don’t restrict things at Austin College; there are Hindus at Christian things and Christians at Muslim things. …And all the professors are open to hearing your questions or your opinions.”Swathi Anantha,Hindu
Hindu students at Austin College often are members of the Indian Cultural Association (ICA). The largest student organization at Austin College, ICA sponsors an annual Masala dinner as well as several events related to Hindu festivals including Diwali, Garba, and Onam. Hindu students at Austin College are part of various Hindu temples in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex.
For more information, contact Chaplain John Williams (903.813.2220).
Jewish Students
“Being at Austin College has given me the opportunity to interact with a large number of students with diverse backgrounds. As a member of the Austin College community, I have learned a great deal about my own religion and the perspectives of the many different groups on campus.”Carly Rosemore,Jewish
Jewish students at Austin College participate in the Jewish Students Association. Members of that group gather regularly for informal fellowship, meals, and Torah study. In addition to participation in campus-wide interfaith dialogue, Jewish students at Austin College help plan and lead a Seder dinner in the Wright Campus Center each Spring.
While some Jewish students participate in services at Temple Beth-Emeth in Sherman (903.892.9326), others are active in synagogues in the Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex.
For more information, contact Dr. Aaron Block, or Chaplain John Williams (903.813.2220).
Muslim Students
Muslim students have the support of the Muslim Students Association (MSA). MSA activities include weekly meetings, participation in services at the Texoma Central Mosque in Sherman, social events, Friday afternoon prayers in the Sallie Majors Chapel, and campus-wide activities such as Eid Dinner, Interfaith Dialog Dinner, and Islam Awareness Week.
For more information, contact Chaplain John Williams (903.813.2220).
“During my sophomore year, I joined Chi Tau Chi, an ecumenical brotherhood. XTX is a fraternity based on Christian beliefs, and for someone Muslim to join the group was an interesting transition. But the openness of all my brothers for different religious beliefs and the understanding that the gist of the message was one and the same was fascinating.”Redwan Hoque ’10,Sunni Muslim
Roman Catholic Students
“I am a member of ACtivators and will be a chapel intern next year. These opportunities have given me the chance to develop my faith through personal experience as well as discussing faith with others.”Ashleigh Johnson,Roman Catholic
The Austin College Catholic Students Association (CSA) meets regularly on campus for Bible Study, discussion, and fellowship. CSA students attend mass at St. Anne’s Catholic Church in Sherman (903.893.5148) or St. Patrick Church in Denison (903.463.3275). St. Mary’s Parish in Sherman holds noon mass in Wynne Chapel at Austin College on Ash Wednesday and weekday Holy Days of Obligation.
For more information, contact Michelle Filander, or Chaplain John Williams (903.813.2220).
UNITARIAN-UNIVERSALIST STUDENTS
Austin College has several students and faculty members who attend Red River Unitarian Universalist Church in Denison (903.465.5515).
For more information, contact Chaplain John Williams (903.813.2220).
“Austin College is an amazing place for knowledge. There is no shortage of resources for learning, and you can always find someone to have an intellectual discussion with. People are very open and willing to discuss ideologies. I think the strongest way of defining your own faith comes from understanding what else is out there.”Coral Kennelty-Cohen,Unitarian-Universalist
Westminster & Sara Bernice Moseley Scholars
Westminster Award
The Tuition Scholarship for documented Presbyterian Church (USA) member students provides a full tuition award. Students complete the certification of Presbyterian Church (USA) membership form by March 1 of their senior year of high school.
The Full Tuition, Housing, and Meal Plan Scholarship is intended for incoming Austin College students who meet the above requirement and are also children of full-time Presbyterian Church (USA) professionals. This award covers full tuition, housing, and meal plan costs. Qualifying parent eligibility includes: ordained Presbyterian Church (USA) clergy serving in full-time Presbyterian Church (USA) validated ministries, full-time professionals serving Presbyterian Church (USA) congregations, and other full-time professionals serving Presbyterian Church (USA) Covenant Partners (through Synod Covenants) and Presbyterian Church (USA) General Assembly offices and institutions. Applicants who may qualify should notify the Office of Admission by March 1 of their senior year of high school.
Sara Bernice Moseley Scholars Program
Awarded to students who have been members of a Presbyterian Church (USA) congregation for at least six months and have demonstrated high academic achievement. Strong candidates will have demonstrated consistent involvement in the life of the Church. This scholarship is renewable for each undergraduate year, provided the student maintains good academic standing and remains involved in meaningful ways in the life of the Church and/or in service to others. Nominations should be submitted by February 1.
ACtivators
The Austin College ACtivators are a group of Austin College students who work with Chaplain John Williams to plan and lead regional Presbyterian Church (USA) youth ministry events. The ACtivators traveling teams normally include four or five Austin College students and Rev. Williams. The teams choose scripture-based themes and prepare keynote presentations, small group materials, music, and recreational activities for each event. ACtivators also act as partners with other program organizations, filling leadership roles and working with other church groups who work with children, youth, adults, and senior citizens.
Since its founding in 1995, the ACtivators program has involved 591 Austin College students who have traveled over 178,000 miles to plan and lead 711 ministry events involving over 57,000 children, youth, college students, adults, and senior citizens.
ACtivators Rules & Guiding Principles
Requirements for Being an ACtivator
Being an ACtivator is no easy task. We are looking for people who are faster than a speeding bullet and able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, willing to put their life on the line....Well, that or... People who are willing to take a weekend and spend it having fun with groups of wonderful kids, can be silly, ready to work with other fun and interesting (and we do mean interesting!) college students. Typically you have to be an Austin College student, and you have to sign up for an event. Other than that, we have ACtivators of all types, shapes, sizes, talents, gifts, smells, etc.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Do you have to be Presbyterian to be an ACtivator?
- What is an Energizer?
- What is the time commitment?
- How do I get one of those cool ACtivator T-Shirts?
- Do I have to be Christian?
Do you have to be Presbyterian to be an ACtivator?
What is an Energizer?
What is the time commitment?
Along with 40 hours a week we require that you pass an exhaustive physical, academic, and psychospiritual qualifying exam.
NO! It is like a lot of things in life...You get out of it what you put into it. You can sign up for one event or more (except first semester freshmen)...or if you are having a particularly busy semester, none at all. ACtivator events are almost always a weekend-long commitment unless you hear otherwise.
How do I get one of those cool ACtivator T-Shirts?
Do I have to be Christian?
Sallie Majors Religious Life Interns
The Sallie Majors Religious Life Interns work with the College Chaplain to plan, promote, and coordinate all aspects of the Austin College Religious Life Program.
- There are 7 Majors Interns every year.
- Each year’s interns recommend and invite rising juniors and seniors to serve as Majors Interns for the following year.
- Interns meet together once per week.
- Individual interns also have one office hour with the Chaplain each week.
Since the inauguration of the Austin College Sallie Majors Religious Life Internship, in the 1999-2000 academic year, a total of 189 Austin College students have served as Majors Interns.
Mrs. Sallie Kennedy McLane Majors (1885-1975) was a leader in Presbyterian Christian Education at the congregational, regional, and national level. In a citation granting her a Doctor of Humane Letter Degree in 1954, the Austin College Board of Trustees stated:
Sallie Kennedy, McLane Majors, you found your Christian vocation in Religious Education and have practiced your vocation faithfully and well. You have served your Church in kindergartens and mission Sunday Schools, in local churches and presbyteries and synods, in the Training School of the General Assembly [now the Presbyterians School of Christian Education], and in its Board of Christian Education.
Wherever you have been, your warm friendliness, sympathetic understanding, and deep convictions have helped mold the behavior, thinking, and character of young people associated with you. A vast company of youth, many of them alumni of this college, are better citizens and churchmen [sic] because of your stimulating leadership.
On February 20, 1976, the Presbyterian School of Christian Education dedicated a Bible that it received in memory of Mrs. Majors from First Presbyterian Church in Ft. Worth. As part of that service, Dr. Sara Little said of Mrs. Majors:
We here at PSCE honor her contribution today, although new cannot claim her exclusively. She was a pioneer, a woman pioneer, if you please, claimed by our whole denomination. But it is appropriate that we here receive this Bible, both because it is central to the curriculum and life here, and because it was central to the life of Majors [as she was known]. I have rarely seen her more angry than when the Bible was misused, particularly in the teaching of children. I hope we carry on that tradition, and along with it, Majors’ deep devotion to the educational ministry of the Church.
Mrs. Majors also introduced former Austin College President John D. and Sara Bernice Moseley to each other in 1936 and later helped plan and coordinate their wedding. The Moseleys were the First Family of Austin College from 1953-1978 and remained fixtures on our campus and in our community well into the Twenty-First Century.