Religious & Spiritual Groups at Brown University
Below you will find a list of Religious & Spiritual Groups that meet on Brown University Campus, and are affiliated with the OCRL and Student Activities Office. ** Many groups have not re-established their weekly meeting times for Fall Semester 2022. Please check back in September 2022 for updated meeting times, or feel free to reach out to the listed contacts. For a multifaith calendar, see below.
If you currently run a group on campus that is not listed on our site, or need to update a current time/date for meetings, contact information, etc. please contact Chloe Clasper-Torch. If you are interested in starting a group, please visit the SAO website for more information. All religiously affilated groups on campus must have an approved Religious Life Associate (RLA).
| Affiliation | Group Name | General Information | Weekly Meeting Time(s) & Location |
Religious Life Affiliates (RLAs) & Student Leaders(s) |
| Meditation & Multifaith Buddhism / Secular Buddhism / Tibetan Buddhism / Zen Buddhism |
Brown Meditation Community |
The Brown Meditation Community (BMC) is a student-run group that meets for meditation sits. All identities and levels of experience are welcome at any sit. |
Thursdays: 7 - 8 pm (First sit date TBD) Manning Chapel |
Student Leader: Justin Lu | [email protected]
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| Baha'i Faith | Baha'i Faith at Brown University |
The Baha'i Faith at Brown University meets regularly for devotions, study, consultation and social activities. The teachings of the Baha'i Faith include the oneness of humankind, the equality of women and men, the harmony of science and religion, elimination of all forms of prejudice, and the establishment of universal education and world peace. |
Thursdays: 7:30 - 9 pm Page-Robinson Hall 409 |
Questions and conversation are warmly invited. E-mail [email protected] for specific information. RLA: Paul Smith | [email protected] Student Leader: Asiyih Ehsani |
| SGI Buddhism, Nichiren Buddhism | College Hill Buddhists for Peace |
College Hill Buddhists for Peace is a student group that promotes the practice of Nichiren Buddhism and the associated humanistic values of peace, culture and education. Our group is affiliated with Soka Gakkai International (SGI), the world’s largest lay Buddhist organization and a nongovernmental organization formally tied to the United Nations. SGI’s ultimate mission is to realize a world of lasting peace by awakening each person to his/her infinite potential we called Buddhahood. We regularly hold Buddhism introductory sessions for students of all background or affiliation to learn about the wisdom of Buddhist teachings and how to apply such philosophy in our daily lives on campus. We also hold Buddhism chanting sessions for students experience the more spiritual aspect of the practice. |
TBD - Contact group leaders for inforamtion at this time | RLAs:
Alvin Huang, Assistant Professor of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology and Biochemistry | [email protected] Lisa Lambright | [email protected] Paul Rochford Jr. | [email protected] |
| Catholic Community |
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Sundays: 10:30 am and 8:30 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays: 12:05 pm Wednesdays: 6:30 pm, followed by Eucharitstic Adoration & Confession from 7 to 8 pm. All Masses held in Manning Chapel Please see the Events Calendar for Special Services |
Father Edmund McCullough, O.P.Associate Chaplain of the University for the Catholic Community | [email protected] | 410-292-2514 Christina Germak, Campus Minister, Brown-RISD Catholic Community | [email protected] | 401-863-3314 |
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| Anglican Community |
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S. Stephen’s is an Episcopal parish in the Diocese of Rhode Island and is part of the worldwide Anglican Communion. Located in the midst of Brown University, it serves the communities of Providence and beyond. S. Stephen’s has stood within the Anglo-Catholic tradition since its founding, and so the Mass or the Eucharist is at the center of our common life, with ancient and timeless ceremonial used to draw attention to the Living God in our very midst. We strive to be a diverse community and come from many various backgrounds, while united in One Body through our Lord Jesus Christ. All students are welcome at every mass. Facebook | Instagram: @sstephensprov |
Sundays: 10:00 am Mass Saint Stephen' Episcopal Church 114 George Street |
RLA: Benjamin Straley | r[email protected] |
| Protestant Christian Communities |
Brown Protestant Community
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An Ecumenical Protestant Community overseen by Associate Chaplain of the University for the Protestant Community. |
Sundays: Worship 6:00 pm Manning Hall Tuesdays: Christian Mindfulness Service 6 - 7 pm Manning Hall |
Rev. Delphain Demosthenes, Associate Chaplain of the University for the Protestant Community | [email protected] | 401-863-2455 |
| Atheletes in Action (AIA) |
Athletes in Action is an interdenominational Christian fellowship for any/all college athletes or athletically minded students! AIA exists to help transform student-athletes into people who will become Total Athletes, people who maximize the unique potential for which God has made them, and people who pursue God in and through sport, academics, service, leadership and their future careers. |
TBD - Contact group leaders for inforamtion at this time | RLA:
Jarrod Lynn | [email protected] |
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The Branch Christian Fellowship
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We are a Protestant Christian group serving Brown and RISD that gathers to worship God and love people through times in the Word and in prayer and through service. |
Fridays: 8 pm Manning Chapel |
RLA: Lisa Yang | [email protected] |
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| Graduate and Medical Student Christian Fellowship (A Ministry of InterVarsity)
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The Brown Graduate & Medical Student Christian Fellowship encourages and equips graduate and medical students of all ethnicities to live as Christ’s disciples, following Christ as we seek to be a redeeming influence among the people, ideas, and structures of the university and professions. Our four commitments, by God’s grace are: Spiritual formation Evangelism & service Multi-cultural community Integration of faith, learning, & practice |
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RLA: Kathy Cooper | [email protected] InterVarsity Staff: Lauren Watka Atwood, |
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Brown Staff Christian Fellowship
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1st Friday of the month: 12 - 1pm South Street Landing Rm 493 |
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| Hinduism | Brown Hindu Students' Association | Open to students who have a general belief in, or curiousity to learn more about, Hindu ideas and ideals | Currently on Summer scheduled, see website to leanr more about Autumn Service start date(s): https://vedantaprov.org/ |
RLA: Swami Yogatmananda | [email protected] |
| Islam | Brown-RISD Muslim Life |
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Fridays: 1 pm, Jumu'ah Prayer During academic year only |
Imam Amir A. Toft, Associate Chaplain of the University for the Muslim Community 401-863-1820
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| Brown Muslim Students Association (BMSA) |
The BMSA intends to build a unified community — built upon the Qur’an and the teachings of the Prophet Muhammad ﷺ — that is open to all those who identify as Muslim or are interested in Islam, regardless of degree of practice. The BMSA strives to follow the Prophetic example of standing for justice among communities locally and globally, foster greater Islamic literacy among its members and the broader community in collaboration with the University’s Muslim Chaplain, and create strong bonds of sisterhood and brotherhood — appreciative of and enriched by differences — between members. Through these goals, the BMSA aims to enable members to build a deeper connection to Islam in every aspect of daily life. Please see website for further information. |
See website for for calendar of events | THE BMSA is led by an Executive Board of seven undergraduates and advised by the University's Muslim Chaplain, the BMSA strives to serve the community's needs and create a welcoming environment for all. | |
| Judaism | Brown-RISD Hillel |
Brown RISD Hillel encourages and supports a diversity of students as they explore, develop and deepen their Jewish identities. We are committed to having Judaism serve as a source of meaning and growth during their time on College Hill and in their lives after graduation. |
For more information about weekly Friday night Shabbat meals & services, celebrating High Holy Days, and more, visit the Brown Risd Hillel website. |
RLA: Molly Goldmeier, Assistant Director at Brown RISD Hillel | [email protected] |
| Chabad House | https://www.chabadriprovidence.com/ |
RLAs: Chana and Mendel Laufer | [email protected] | [email protected] |
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| Quaker/Religious Society of Friends |
Quakers at Brown |
We hold a mid-week Meeting for Worship, with some social time before or after. Other than that, we are a loose group that has not even kept a record of who attends, but it consists of students, staff, and sometimes people not affiliated with Brown. |
Wednesdays: 12 pm Page-Robinson Hall, Room 409 Sundays: 10 am at Providence Friends Meetong House, 99 Morris Ave. |
RLA: William Monroe | [email protected] |
| Unitarian Universalist | Brown University Unitarian Universalist Group (BUUUG) |
Brown University Unitarian Universalist Group offers college-agers from diverse backgrounds a place to find friendship and to explore their spiritual journeys in a faith community. All students from Brown, RISD, and other neighboring colleges, and anyone college-aged in the region, are welcome. Group members attend and participate in worship services, social action and more. They meet weekly in the Parish House. Activities include fireside worship, games, multi-faith forums, parties, trips, and overnights. Everyone is encouraged to help with ideas and planning. Lovingly nicknamed BUUUG, this UU campus group is co-affiliated with First Unitarian and the Office of the Chaplain & Religious Life at Brown. |
Sundays: 5 pm First Unitarian Church One Benevolent Street |
RLA: Cathy Seggel | 401-421-7970 Student Leader: Caroline Dressler | [email protected] |
Interfaith Calendar
This link will connect you to an online interfaith calendar which provides a full listing of all religious observances throughout the year.