Religious Life
The Office of Religious Life at Philander Smith University exists to guide and to nurture spiritual and ethical life for those persons within the Philander Smith University Community. We are committed to foster an environment supportive of spiritual and faith based formation. We recognize that a spiritual/religious journey can be an important, balancing complement to the numerous challenges one faces in the pursuit of academic and career goals.
While each one of us participates in and leads worship and study in her/his own religious traditions, our primary objective as an office is to collaborate and work with all constituents of the university.
Our aim is to be the beacon of light for the Philander Smith University Community that engages people in both faith and intellect through passionate worship, spiritual reflection, religious dialogue, and risk taking mission and service.
Contact:
Reverend Ronnie Miller-Yow
Chaplain/Dean for Religious Life and Campus Culture
rmiller-yow@philander.edu
Our office is located on the second floor of the M. L. Harris Fine Arts Building.
Contact:
Rose Wilson
Administrative Assistant
Religious Life and Campus Culture
rwilson@philander.edu
RELIGIOUS LIFE PROGRAMMING
Worship and Word Chapel is held each Thursday at 11:00 am in Wesley Chapel United Methodist Church. Worship experiences are student led.
Small groups are led by student ministers. The purpose of these groups is for faith formation, fellowship, prayer and the study of God’s Word in community.
Preachers of Philander is a group of students who sense the call of God, of their life, calling them to a vocation of ministry.
Philander Forward Youth Theological Institute engages high school seniors and junior in a unique program designed to help participants explore questions about their purpose and God’s call to ministry
Religious Emphasis Week is held each year during the last week of February and serves as an opportunity to celebrate our faith and to share it not only as a campus community but with the larger community as a whole.
The Annual Living Legends Celebration highlights community ambassadors for their leadership and hard work. This event is held during Religious Emphasis week, the last week of February.
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week is held each year during the last week before Thanksgiving, and offers the chance for our campus community to contribute to the national social movement regarding issues of homelessness in America.
STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
The Office of Religious Life affords students the opportunity to participate in a number of student organizations that further their religious growth and experience through faith-building, fellowship, and service to others. Below are some of the students organizations sponsored by the Office of Religious Life and Campus Culture.
- The Religious Life Council
- Empowering the African American Male Mentoring Program
- Preachers of Philander
- Chapel Assistants
- Mr. and Miss Religious Life
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PROGRAMS
PHILANDERFOWARD YOUTH THEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE
The Philander Forward Theological Institute will offer a spectrum of activities and experiences designed to shape and contribute to the spiritual growth and development of high school students.
