Our goal is to assist students, faculty, and staff to grow in curiosity, thoughtfulness, and integrated and grateful living that embody the university motto, Levavi Oculos. We fulfill this mission by offering five kinds of programs:

• liturgical programming
• education in faith and its practices
• service and justice work
• leadership
• pastoral care and community building

Jessie Ball duPont Chapel

The chapel stands beside the library as a reminder of the spiritual nature of academic values, and to emphasize the connection of head and heart. There is Christian worship in the duPont Chapel on Family Weekend, for White Gift Service in December, on Ash Wednesday, Easter (as the academic calendar permits), and on other occasions and holy days as they arise. Our regular interfaith worship, Sanctuary, takes place in the meditation chapel on Wednesday afternoons. Spiritual leadership is offered by student chaplains as peer mentors and caring members of our community. Contact the chaplain for a list of student chaplains and their groups, events, and projects. The chapel, the smaller meditation chapel, and the prayer room are open daily for meditation, prayer, or a quiet place for reflection.

Opportunities for spiritual involvement at Hollins

Student-led clubs such as the Spiritual and Religious Life Association (SRLA) provide the opportunity for students to get involved in activities that help them explore, express, and grow in their faith. The chaplain’s office also provides regular and varied worship experiences for the Hollins University campus. Our weekly worship service is called Sanctuary, as it is intended to be a peaceful refuge from the busyness of college life. In this Wednesday afternoon interfaith service, students explore faith through hands-on experience with different spiritual disciplines such as prayer and meditation, and through using the creative arts to connect spiritually with God and others.

The chaplain’s office also encourages connections with the Roanoke area houses of worship, facilitating a Religious Communities Fair each fall where representatives of local faith groups are invited to come to campus and share about their groups so that students can explore faith communities in our area. A weekly van is provided to transport students to Mass at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church. Car pools are arranged for students to attend services at the local temple, synagogue, mosques, or Christian churches. Local religious leaders are often invited to campus to lead Eucharist services and to mark religious holidays and festivals such as Hanukkah, Passover, and Eid.

Students are also invited to participate in the college ministries of local churches and para-church organizations such as Rhythm Roanoke and Green Ridge Baptist Church’s REMNANT, both of which meet occasionally on campus.

The chapel provides services for major religious holidays such as Ash Wednesday, Rosh Hashanah, and Easter, and coordinates a beloved Hollins tradition, the White Gift Service, to commemorate Advent and Christmas. The chaplain also presides at special campus occasions and services such as Family Weekend, Founder’s Day, Convocation, Baccalaureate, and Commencement.

Other events hosted at the chapel allow students to build community while learning about faith and spirituality in a casual environment. Soul Cafes, held monthly, combine crafts, food, conversation, and community-building activities. Fun Fridays, book clubs, and movie series bring students together for fun, fellowship, and sharing with one another.

Religious and Spiritual Groups, 2012-13 (PDF)