Student Religious Organizations

Taking into consideration the needs of various student constituencies, the Office of the Chaplains accredits a number of externally supported and student founded ministries, currently including the following:

Campus Ambassadors
InterVarsity Christian Fellowship
Jewish Student Union
Latter-Day Saint Student Association
Newman Club
United Methodist Students

These organizations welcome all Willamette students to their fellowships regardless of their religious background.

Campus Ambassadors

Student Contact: Dani Miles
Advisor: Dennis Phillips, visiting professor of chemistry

Campus Ambassadors is a Christian fellowship made up of students and faculty who desire to share and live out the good news of God's love to all they come in contact with.

Campus Ambassadors strives to fulfill its mission by offering students and faculty the following opportunities

Small group Bible studies which usually meet on a weekly basis
A large group meeting consisting of worship and teaching, which occurs on a weekly basis
Fun social activities - usually once a month
Annual conferences and retreats and occasional service projects

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship

Student Contacts: Leigh Ann Greenfield and Brandi Miller
Advisors: Mark Janeba, associate professor of mathematics, and James Friedrich, professor of psychology

In response to God's love, grace and truth:
The purpose of InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA is
to establish and advance at colleges and universities
witnessing communities of students and faculty
who follow Jesus as Savior and Lord:
growing in love for God,
God's Work,
God's people of every ethnicity and culture
and God's purposes in the world.

InterVarsity is a group of Christians on campus seeking to influence Willamette with the word of God. We do this through weekly Bible studies, large group activities (both spiritual and fun) and prayer around campus. Anyone and everyone is welcome to join us.

Visit the Willamette InterVarsity website.

Jewish Student Union

Student Contact: The Office of the Chaplains will be glad to connect students with the JSU.
Advisor: Ellen Eisenberg, Dwight and Margaret Lear professor of American history

The JSU provides a community for Jewish students on campus to celebrate holidays (Rosh Hashanah, Hanukkah, Purim, Shabbat, Passover, etc.) together and to connect with other Jewish students. We also provide non-Jewish student with the opportunity to explore traditional Judaism.

The JSU provides opportunities for students of any religious experience to celebrate Jewish religious holidays and learn about Jewish culture through a variety of activities, including weekly Shabbat meetings, transportation to the local temple for services and larger celebrations on all major holidays.

Latter-Day Saint Student Association

Student Contacts: Shawn Horlacher and Nick Casstellano
Advisor: Betsy Johnson, facilities supervisor

The Latter-day Saint Student Association (LDSSA) is established to en courage and support members in achieving their academic goals and maintaining a balanced life while on campus; to encourage members to become an influence for good by participating in activities and service on campus and in the community; to provide students with meaningful service opportunities and social and religious activities that are consistent with LDSSA standards.

LDSSA meets weekly to study the scriptures and their application to daily life - personal, social, academic and otherwise. Meetings give a regular place and time where individuals of shared belief can meet and encourage one another to achieve their goals and maintain a balanced life.

Newman Club

Student Contact: Kimberly Hursh
Advisor: Jennifer Butler, lab educator, Olin Science Center

The mission of the Newman Club is to integrate faith, reason and life experience on the Willamette campus according to the vision of Cardinal Henry Newman. As a Catholic apostolate, we foster spiritual growth through prayer, discussion and service.

Newman Club tries to incorporate a variety of activities in order to offer something that will interest everyone. We combine social activities with spiritual ones. Members will have the opportunity to participate in Mass on campus, a weekly rosary and an annual retreat.

United Methodist Students

Currently there is not an active United Methodist student organization. Students interested in re-organizing should contact Holli Davenport in the Office of the Chaplains.