The Wesley Center implemented a new Methodist “Church-Hopping” program to help students find home churches.
Fellowship of Christian Athletes fosters spiritual camaraderie
Students are finding new, personalized ways to reflect their faiths through extracurricular activities. Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an on-campus organization that promotes spiritual bonding and support between Christian student athletes. FCA is a worldwide organization. The OCU branch became an official Student Government Association-approved organization in Fall 2015, but the group met before then….
Methodist organizations offer scholarships for Fall 2017
Two organizations are providing students with thousands of dollars in financial aid.
Religious solicitors on campus disturb, pressure students
Some students have expressed discomfort when people visit campus to promote their religions.
Wesley Center plans 2017 Spring Break mission trip
Wesley Center officials have planned a mission trip for Spring Break to plan a general improvement project of the Denver area.
Students, faculty, alumni make strides in local activism
Several OCU students attended the Peace House’s annual Peace Festival to learn about local issues, listen to local musicians, and eat vegan-friendly foods.
Editors unhappy with the removal of chapel pews
The Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel is coming up on its 50th anniversary and has undergone some changes in the past few weeks.
Dr. Enchassi: from refugee to PhDs
Dr. Imad Enchassi, assistant professor and chair in Islamic studies, shares his experiences as a Muslim man living in the U.S.
OCU Jewish Stars celebrate Sukkot on campus
OCU Jewish Stars sponsored a sukkah on the quad in celebration of Judaism’s holiday of Sukkot.
Bishop appointed to Oklahoma United Methodist Conference
After more than a decade of serving as Bishop, Robert E. Hayes, Jr. retired. Bishop James Nunn took his place.
Religious life starts academic year with new director
The Rev. Elizabeth Horton-Ware will take over as director of religious life.
Religion expo to educate community on different cultures
An upcoming expo will expose students to cultures and religions different than their own.
Group forms to promote interfaith dialogue
Better Together will provide opportunities for interfaith dialogues on campus and support religious pluralism.
Religious group invites new members to mass, discussion
The Catholic Student Association invites new members to join them for weekly mass and religious discussion, as well as an Ash Wednesday service on campus.
Meet Celia Tedde – the nifty officer of NFTY
Celia Tedde, music theater and vocal performance freshman, balances her two passions: theater and her job as a national officer of NFTY.
Two Bible studies offered
Two students recently began leading weekly Bible studies on campus. Joey Simpson and Melaina Riley, religion sophomores, are each leading student Bible studies once a week. The student led Bible study groups are new this year. Previous Wesley Center directors led Bible studies, but the Rev. Rodney Newman, director of religious life, said he hopes…
Christian athletic group works to increase presence
The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is attempting to reestablish the group on campus again. FCA is a faith-based, interdenominational, nonprofit organization. Their mission is “to present to coaches and athletes, and all whom they influence, the challenge and adventure of receiving Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, serving Him in their relationships and in the…
Smith Hall to become ‘interfaith dorm’
Renovations to Smith Hall could make OCU a regional leader in interfaith cooperation. The university’s Strategic Planning Committee approved a proposal in August to redevelop Smith Hall into interfaith student housing. If the university secures fundraising commitments for the project this semester, students could move into Smith in 2017, said Marty O’Gwynn, vice president for…
Chapel goes ‘on the road’
Officials are experimenting with new locations for Chapel this semester and going “on the road” to give students a change of scenery. The location of the service will vary by week this semester, but typically Chapel is at 1 p.m. every Thursday in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel. Chapel will be hosted twice this month…
Mission trip scheduled during winter break
Students will have the chance to visit Belize this winter. Five students attended a mission trip to the small village of Burrell Boom in Belize to help lay bricks and construct the second floor of the Methodist Primary School in January. The trip is scheduled again during the last week of winter break Jan. 2-9….
Religious life changes, encourages students to volunteer
Campus religious life is making changes. The largest change is that Wednesday at the Wesley, a free lunch for the campus that was provided every Wednesday in Watson Lounge in Bishop W. Angie Smith Chapel, is now only hosted the first Wednesday of every month. The first one of the year was Sept. 2 in the…
Students participate in rainy ‘Love Not Hate’ event
Students enjoyed free food and tie-dying T-shirts in the rain at the seventh annual Love Not Hate Day.
Bible study opens up to campus community
Lambda Chi Alpha is offering a new weekly Bible study. The “Chop House Bible Study” was created in February by the chapter’s chaplain Ben Patterson, religion freshman. The study is hosted for 30 minutes at 11 p.m. every Tuesday in the relaxation room in the Lambda Chi house. There are usually about five or six…
Award winning author to lecture in the chapel
By Kayla McKenna, Staff Writer The Wimberly School of Religion will host a special lecture featuring Marilyn Oden courtesy of the Lemon family. The Lemon family donates to help fund the special lectures hosted on campus. Oden is an award-winning author who has published 11 books. She has had life experiences across six different continents…
Religious life staff, students host youth service day
By Lauren Matheny, Lifestyles Editor The religious life and church relations staff will host a Youth Service Day on March 7. Youth Service Day was developed to introduce United Methodist high school students to OCU. United Methodist youth groups from around the state sign up each year for the day of service and worship on…
Worship service to provide different speakers for community
Evensong will bring in guest speakers this semester to give a different voice to the community. The Rev. Rodney Newman, director of religious life, has scheduled three guest speakers to preach at Evensong this semester. The speakers are: Hannah Lampi, religion junior; Michael Horn, youth ministry junior, and Lori Walke, associate pastor at Mayflower United…
