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Faith Communities

Distinguished by the diversity of its members, the University of Rochester welcomes people of various faiths from around the world. The Interfaith Chapel works to support the expression of this mixture of heritages and groups.

Chaplains & Directors

• Catholic Newman Community
• Hillel
• Muslim Students’ Association
• Protestant Chapel Community
• UR Christian Fellowship
• Chabad House
• Orthodox Christian Fellowship

The Director, Chaplains and Faith Community Leaders

The Director of Religious and Spiritual Life works with chaplains and faith community leaders to create, articulate and carry out the mission of the Interfaith Chapel within the university and greater Rochester community.  She provides leadership by encouraging multi-faith understanding, interfaith dialogue, education, and cooperation, through a variety of educational programs, spiritual offerings and service projects in the University and the local community off campus.  The director supports the chaplains and faith community leaders in their work, encourages small and emerging student religious groups, and initiates and promotes interfaith programs and education.  Regular dialogue with interfaith leaders on other campuses and in the Rochester interfaith community, and participation in regional, national and international interfaith gatherings enhances her outreach at the U of R. The Director maintains a blog as a forum for community discussion of issues in the world from an interfaith perspective.  See www.interfaithconversations.blogspot.com.                       

The university has a historical agreement with four faith communities in particular—the Catholic Newman Community, the Protestant Chapel Community, Hillel, and the UR Christian Fellowship.  These communities employ and endorse leaders to minister full or part-time in the university setting.  All have offices in the Interfaith Chapel.  With the rapidly increasing religious diversity within the university and nation, the chapel has become home to a variety of other faith communities, including Campus for Christ (Cru), the Orthodox Christian Fellowship, the Muslim Students Association, the Hindu Students Association and the Secular Students Association, all of which have religious or other advisors who work as part of the Interfaith Chapel team.  The director, chaplains and faith community leaders work together to respond to students needs in  ways that meet present day religious and spiritual realities. We strive to bridge boundaries that traditionally have divided people of different faith traditions, and of none at all. We encourage students to embrace the diversity that is so much a part of life in this university and our nation and to claim that diversity as a means for intellectual, emotional and spiritual growth.

As a group, the chaplains and religious leaders understand that college is a time when students may want to explore more deeply and even challenge their faith traditions.  Such exploration is encouraged and chaplains stand ready to help students and others work through new ideas, beliefs, and practices and learn about different value systems and religious traditions.  This open worldview is a trademark of our work in this multi-faith dwelling.  Here we welcome and celebrate awareness of religious diversity as contributing significantly to the multiple diversities (racial, ethnic, cultural, etc.) on campus.

For more information about all religious groups, visit Campus Club Connection.