Worship & Bible Study | Many Spiritual Traditions | Presbyterian Traditions | ACtivators | Staff
Austin College is a diverse place. 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.
Dr. John Williams, Chaplain & Director of Church Relations
Religious Life Calendar 2019-20
Bible Study & Worship
Bible Study
“BS with JW” is a weekly Bible Study on Tuesday nights at 5:30pm 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 6pm, there is a non-denominational Christian communion service planned and led by Austin College students in the Sally Majors Chapel in Wynne Chapel. In addition to its own programs, the Religious Life Office coordinates the work of several different student organizations. The membership and activity of these groups varies from year to year depending on student leadership and participation. In recent years this list has included such groups as:
- Austin College Unitarian Universalist Students
- Asian Students Association (which includes several Buddhist students)
- Baptist Student Ministry (BSM)
- Black Expressions/Impact Bible Study
- Catholic Students’ Association
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA)
- Habitat for Humanity
- Indian Cultural Association (which comprises Hindu, Christian, and Muslim students)
- InterVarsity Christian Fellowship (IVCF)
- Jewish Students Association
- Muslim Students' Association
AColyte
Published by the Religious Life Office, the AColyte features discussions of faith and information about Religious Life programs and activities at Austin College. Request a copy of the AColyte by email!
Volunteer
The Service Station promotes service by connecting Austin College students with volunteer service opportunities throughout Sherman and the Texoma region. As a result, we hope to encourage lifelong commitment to service.
Annual Volunteer Opportunities:
- Opportunity Fair
- Great Day of Service
- JanServe
- Green Serve
- Roo Bound
- Tostan
- Alternative Spring Break
Austin College has a Labyrinth
For thousands of years, human beings have created the spiral paths that fold back on themselves within labyrinths for reasons ranging from decoration to art and myth. As well, the labyrinth has long been used as a creative or spiritual tool. If you have a problem, you can use the labyrinth to help solve it. If you have a need to discover spiritual meaning or find inspiration, a labyrinth can be put to service for you.
As a meditation tool consisting of a walkable single line path, a labyrinth can be a source of solace and can quiet a distracted or overactive mind. When troubled by disturbing emotions or unfortunate events in your life, walking a labyrinth can help resolve your inner discomfort and still your mind enough for you to get clarity of what is going on. As a spiritual tool, both the calming and quieting effect and the metaphorical symbolism of the labyrinth as a pathway on a journey or a spiritual track can help you to ponder life's greater mysteries.
If there is a class or group that would like to use the labyrinth, contact Chaplain John Williams at 903.813.2220.