Campus ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Washington has been in transition since the spring of 2023. To learn more about this transition see the June 2023 article, Rooted In Purpose: Reimagining Episcopal Campus Ministry, and the October 2023 article, Next Faithful Steps: Episcopal Campus Ministry. Essentially, individual college chaplaincies are no longer the norm in our diocese. Parishes and worshiping communities geographically close to college campuses have sought to fill the gap by ministering to and with their university neighbors.
To assist these worshiping communities, the diocese launched a new congregational grant to support ministry with university neighbors in the spring of 2024. Award recipients receive funding for the 2024-2025 academic year, as well as online resources and coaching in collaboration with diocesan partners at The Vinery, to support ministry initiatives with university neighbors. University neighbors include students (undergraduate and graduate), faculty, staff, administration, funders, parents, alumni and community partners.
Two EDOW congregations have been awarded grants for the 2024-2025 academic year — St. Barnabas’ Episcopal Church of the Deaf and St. George’s Episcopal Church (DC). St. Barnabas’ plans to rekindle a relationship with Gallaudet University while St. George’s seeks to reconnect with the community at Howard University. Both St. Barnabas’ and St. George’s have ministered with their university neighbors in the past and are looking to reforge connections. Leadership in both congregations are willing to try new approaches to creatively engage their university neighbors including ideas like feeding ministries to nurture body, mind, and spirit.
In addition to these two grant award recipient parishes, the diocese supports The Humble Walk ministry at the University of Maryland. The Humble Walk, traditionally a Lutheran ministry, has a strong relationship with St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in College Park. Since the fall of 2023, the diocese, St. Andrew’s and the Humble Walk have intentionally partnered together (via funds and peoplepower) to support the spiritual lives of students at the University of Maryland.
Collaborations with interdenominational partners and rooting campus ministry in the parish context are two ways that the diocese seeks to provide a loving embrace to our university neighbors. Our hope in the future is to continue offering congregational grants, resources and coaching to additional congregations. Our goal is to support the cultivation of safe communities in which our university neighbors can explore their faith and be nourished.
This will look different from the campus ministry of years past. It will feel different, too. We probably won’t witness the fruits of our efforts overnight. This is a seismic ministerial shift. And, we trust that God is with us doing this new thing (Isa. 43:19). We invite you to pray for those ministering with their university neighbors, especially diocesan grant award recipients — St. Barnabas’ and St. George’s — and our partners at The Humble Walk and St. Andrew’s.
If you, or your worshiping community, are interested in ministering with university neighbors, learning more, or applying for a future grant, contact The Rev. Amanda Akes-Cardwell, Missioner for Faith Formation and Development.
