On & Off Campus Worship

On campus worship, faith gatherings, & healing prayer:

We hope you will join us for on-campus programs which nourish the soul and grow both inner and outer peace.

Being Peace (Interfaith)
1st Mon. of each Block 11:15-11:45 a.m.

Pray with and for the Earth. Includes meditation for transmitting the energy of love and healing peace. Led by the College Chaplain, Spiritual Life's Better Together Interfaith Allies, and Soul Friends ecumenical Christian student leaders.

Soul Friends (Ecumenical Christian)
2nd Wed. of Block, 11:15-11:45 a.m.

Nourishment for the soul. Small group devotional with uplifting message from chaplain, inclusive love, and fellowship among Soul Friends new and old. If you've tried other Christian gatherings but felt pressured or out of place, give us a try.
~Sponsored / led by Spiritual Life student leaders & chaplain

Breathe Peace:
4th Mon. 3:15-3:45 p.m.

You can approach these breath practices in a prayerful or secular ways (i.e. consent to letting the universe and/or the Divine breathe and pray inside you).

Jewish services:

Shabbat and other Jewish observances are run through Cornell's Hillel with support from the Cornell College Chaplain as a Hillel advisor. Ongoing open meetings and special observances such as a Rosh Hashanah and Passover are open to all, regardless of belief or background. Contact Hillel for more information.

Students are also encouraged to participate in services at Temple Judah (Cedar Rapids) just down the road, or Agudas Acheim (Iowa City).

Private Prayer, Salat, & Meditation:

Allee Chapel is protected sacred space on campus for your personal prayer and meditation needs. Feel free to leave prayers of intercession (anonymously) for others, the world, or yourself in the prayer book located just inside the front door and the chaplain will include them in her own quiet pastoral prayers. A prayer rug on the East facing wall near the diverse prayerbook bookshelf marks the direction toward Mecca (Qiblah established by Imam).

Allee Chapel can be reserved by Cornell students, faculty, and staff if for a spiritual / religious purpose.

Other student faith orgs officially recognized by the college: Check out student clubs like Deepwater and FCA for additional Bible study and fellowship opportunities.

I'm also always on the lookout for students who may be interested in reviving Buddhist, MSA (Muslim Student Association), our Southeast Asian Association (Hindu, Sikh, Muslim), or our Roman Catholic Student Association (RCCA). Or launching something new.

Off-campus worship:

There are hundreds of faith homes in the Mt. Vernon/Lisbon and greater Cedar Rapids and Iowa City area. See listings below as well as on the Linn County and Iowa City/Coralville pages. Remember that, amid COVID-19, many faith communities are worshipping via Facebook, YouTube, or Zoom. Definitely go to the website of Houses of Worship for more information.