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Website: https://emu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life
Phone: (540) 432-4115The Campus Pastor and campus ministries
Website: https://emu.edu/studentlife/spiritual-life
Phone: (540) 432-4115
The University Chaplain and Faith and Spiritual Life staff are a spiritual resource available to students, faculty and staff for conversation, counseling, support and prayer. The pastor chaplain offers spiritual mentoring, relational pastoral care, invites and nurtures leadership, and coordinates programs for spiritual formation and spiritual growth including campus worship services, faith formation groups, Bible studies and spiritual retreats. The campus ministries office retreats and special events. The Office of Faith and Spiritual Life is located in the University Commons, 2nd floor, Student Life Suite (UC 224).
Campus PastorUniversity Chaplain / Director - Office of Faith and Spiritual Life
Brian Martin Burkholder, University Campus PastorChaplain/Director, 540-432-4115, brian.burkholder@emu.edu.
Convocation
A space for developing a sense of community in response to EMU core values and commitments. Speakers engage timely conversations and explore topics from a variety of Christian and interfaith perspectives. Convocation is held every other Wednesday from 10:10-11 a.m. in Lehman Auditorium.
Campus Worship
A space for corporate community worship in a variety of styles over the course of the semester. Campus Worship is held every other Wednesday from 10:10-11 a.m. in Lehman AuditoriumMartin Chapel.
Seminary Chapel is held on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11-11:45 a.m. in Martin Chapel (Seminary building).
Convo Breakout Gatherings
Convo Breakout Gatherings happen at the same time as Campus Worship. These groups are small group, topic-specific conversations held every other Wednesday from 10:10-11 a.m. in various campus locations.
Convocation and Campus Worship Schedule and Podcasts
The schedule for convocation, campus worship and related events are posted in the events box of the myEMU (portal). It is found at this link: http//www.my.emu.edu/ics. Podcasts of input from convocation, campus worship and related events are posted at this link: http://emu.edu/blog/podcast/.
Ministry Assistants and Pastoral Assistants
Ministry assistants (MAs) are students who volunteer to help with various ministries on campus. They might lead or join weekly Bible studies, assist with ministry clubs like CelebrationStudent Chaplain and Student Chaplain Assistants
Student chaplains are student leaders serving the EMU campus community in focused faith and spiritual life roles. They can focus on worship, service, interfaith, sustainability, diversity, equity, inclusion, peacebuilding, community, or wellness. Student chaplains meet regularly with the university chaplain and are paid with university work-program funds.
Student chaplain assistants are students who volunteer to assist student chaplains as part of the faith and spiritual life team. They might also assist with faith and spiritual life clubs like Y-Serve, Celebration (praise worship), Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Celebration and Alpha-Omega Dancers for Christ, Hymn Sing, and the Gospel Choir or develop their own ministries such as prayer, service, encouragement and relationship-connections through prayer, encouragement, Bible study, and relationship building wherever they are living.Pastoral Assistants (PAs) serve the campus community in a variety of ministry leadership roles. PAs help plan and lead campus worship and facilitate gatherings that nurture spiritual growth and faith formation by encouraging reflection and engagement along with planning spiritual renewal events.
Journey Conversation Groups and Small Groups
Journey conversation groups, groups of 2-3 students matched with a faculty or staff member, meet regularly for mutual personal, spiritual, and faith formation. Assistance and support in forming other small group ministries groups is provided. Any student desiring to lead a specific type of small group is encouraged to discuss it with the campus pastor or pastoral assistantuniversity chaplain or student chaplain.
Retreats and Adventures
Periodic faith and spiritual growth retreats are offered through campus ministriesthe Office of Faith and Spiritual Life. One-day and overnight retreats, focusing on exploring one’s vocation and calling are offered. Other options include quiet prayerful retreats, spiritual disciplines/practices retreats, and outdoor adventures.
Spiritual DirectionMentoring/Companion
Campus ministries Faith and Spiritual Life staff will assist students in finding a seminary student spiritual companion and/or provide spiritual direction mentoring themselves as available. Use this form to request a spiritual companion: http://emu.edu/studentlife/campus-ministries/forms/request-for-a-spiritual-companion/
Spiritual Renewal Events
Each semester, additional emphasis is given to spiritual awakening growth and renewal on campus. Christian Faithful leaders are invited to provide input and special activities are planned by campus ministriesFaith and Spiritual Life.
Meditation - Prayer Rooms
Several rooms are set aside for meditation and prayer. These spaces are intentionally accessible for interfaith use. They are located in the Northlawn Residence Hall (NL148B) and the Seminary building.
Congregational Involvement
Students are encouraged to connect with one of the many congregations in the Harrisonburg area. Information about area churches and faith communities of several denominations is provided on EMU’s area church directory. Students needing transportation to church services will find contact information on this page.