Penn Religious Communities Council

 

The Penn Religious Communities Council is composed of the various religious institutions and organizations who have committed themselves to serving the religious and spiritual needs of the University community. The members pledge to respect the diversity of religious experience while maintaining the integrity of their own beliefs. The programs of these groups are exceptionally varied and you are encouraged to contact them directly. These groups are listed by category as follows:

 

 

 

Religious Foundations

 

Non- Denominational National Ministries

National Faith Group Ministries

 

Student Organizations Representing Major Faith Traditions

 

 

 

1) Religious Foundations:

The Christian Association, 215-746-6350
The Rev. Dr. Beverly Dale; General Minister & President

Katherine Primus; Executive Director

The Christian Association is an ecumenical non-profit organization serving as the faith based public voice for peace and social justice issues at Penn and in the wider community. Individuals, including students, staff, faculty, churches and community organizations from a variety of religious and spiritual backgrounds and traditions whow value diversity ecumenical and interfaith experiences are invited to get involved. Ongoing programs include an interfaith dialogue, bi-weekly lunch meetings with student representatives to network, ESL-oriented workshops that discuss issues with international students and Christian Fellowship for the LGBT community. get involved and develop your leadership skills as you help create positive change. We have volunteer opportunites in an afterschool program as well as social change activism projects. Sign up for our weekly electronic newsletter to join our events and issues we focus on. http://www.upennca.org/about/stay_in_touch/

The Hillel Foundation,- The Foundation for Campus Jewish Life

202 South 36th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-898-7391

Mr. Jeremy Brochin; Director
Rabbi Michael Uram; Associate Director

Rabbi Howard Alpert; Senior Rabbinic Associate

Hillel is the foundation for organized Jewish student life at the University of Pennsylvania . Through its 22 student organizations and religious communities students govern their activities and create opportunities for social, social action, religious, and cultural activity. Hillel professionals are available to Jewish students for counseling, teaching, and informal conversation.

Newman Hall, 3720 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-898-7575
Father Charles Zlock; Director
Jeff Klein; Campus Ministry

Newman Hall is the Catholic Student Center for the University Community. We offer a variety of opportunities to share in the rich tradition of Catholic thought, culture and life. The Newman Council, a body of elected and appointed students, offer a number of events and activities throughout the year designed to integrate the religious, social, and intellectual dimensions of life.

2) Local Congregations:

St. Mary's Church, Hamilton Village
The Episcopal Church at Penn

3916 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104

215-386-3916
http://www.stmarysatpenn.org

st.marys@verizon.net

 

Rev. James H. Littrell, Rector and Episcopal Chaplain at Penn
Douglas Watts, Parish Administration

Dr. Janice Freeman, Rector’s Warden


St. Mary's Church, the Episcopal Church at Penn, is an inclusive and very diverse congregation of the Episcopal Church and a member congregation of the Anglican Communion located squarely on the Penn campus, just opposite Rodin House on Locust Walk.  On Sundays, we come together at 11 AM for a liturgy that is marked by inclusive language, excellent music, and a high degree of congregational (and therefore student) participation.  St. Mary's is the home of the Episcopal Student Association, Penn's official Episcopal student organization.  We are also home to several community educational and service organizations: UCHC (the University City Hospitality Coalition) provides a hot meal for neighborhood homeless and hungry people almost an area church almost every night and is relies entirely on volunteers (http://uchc.phillycharities.org/index.html/);  Neighborhood Bike Works and the Divine Bike Church provide education and training for neighborhood teens, most of whom live outside the boundaries of the University City District as well as a volunteer-led bike shop open several nights a week in our Parish House basement (www.neighborhoodbikeworks.org/); St. Mary's Nursery School (www.stmarysnursery.org/)  is a nursery and pre-school that is quite diverse and operates in many ways as a parent coop. Our mission statement reflects our roots in a profound sense of God's presence and call to amplify God's love in the world: "St. Mary’s Church, Hamilton  Village, is the congregation of the Episcopal Church on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.  God calls us to be a loving, diverse, and inclusive Christian community working for a world of compassion and justice.  In everything we do, we strive to be grounded in worship and prayer.  We invite and welcome all God’s people to St. Mary’s in the name of God: Creator, Redeemer, Holy Spirit."


Tabernacle United Church (Presbyterian/U.C.C.)
3700 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-386-4100
The Rev. Patricia Pearce

"TAB" is a warm, diverse congregation seeking to grow in faith and love, committed to peace, justice, and the integrity of all creation. Students are encouraged to participate in the full life of the church.  The monthly “Young Seekers” affinity group provides a place for university and college students and young adults to meet to enjoy food and fellowship.

Services are Sunday Mornings at 10:00 am

Adult education forum “Tab.edu” follows the Sunday service at approximately 11:30 am

 

University Lutheran Church of the Incarnation
3637 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-387-2885

Unilu is a Community of Urban Christians: both a campus ministry serving students and a congregation with residents throughout the Philadelphia area. Sunday worship at 10:30a.m. and Lutheran Student Movement dinners and activities are just two ways to get to know this group of spiritual seekers and begin or continue to explore your relationship with God.


First Unitarian Church of Philadelphia
2125 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19103 215-563-3980

Church of the Redeemer
4115 Baltimore Avenue, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-382-2141


International Muslim Brotherhood, Inc.

Sheikh Anwar ibn Nafea Muhaimin, CEO & Imam Mufti
abuibrahim63@msn.com

Sr. Saida Aziz
nubiyyah2@msn.com

4637 Lancaster Avenue
Philadelphia, Pa 19131
Telephone/Fax:  215-473-8589 / 775-703-4848

Cathedral Church of the Saviour (Episcopal)
3723 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104 215-386-0234
The Very Rev. Richard S. Giles

Cathedral Church is a muticultural congregation located at the edge of campus. Ministries of the Cathedral include: campus ministry, University City Hospitality Coalition - meals for the hungry, medical and legal clinic, Wednesday 6:00pm; Diocesan and Educational Center ; many diocesan gatherings and liturgical celebrations throughout the year.

Daily Eucharist at 12 noon (Monday through Friday)

Lauds at 9:30 am Eucharistic Liturgy at 10:00 am (Sunday)  

Greater Phila. Baptist Assoc. – Baptist Campus Ministries
102 East Pennsylvania Blvd, Feasterville, PA 19053 Phone: 267-467-8995      215-364-4985 (Office)
Rev. Stanley D. Williams, Director sd-williams@myphillybaptist.org

Connected to the rich heritage, and mosaic of diversity which is Philadelphia's Baptist Community (worshipping in over 40 languages every Sunday & growing), Baptist Campus Ministries @ U. Penn welocmes the entire Penn community to experience and share the wealth of liberty, hope, joy, grace, peace and truth uniquely found in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We gather together for worship, fellowship, ministry opportunities in and around the Delaware Valley as well as around the world.


3) Non-Denominational National Ministries

Campus Crusade for Christ
Mr. & Mrs. Steve Baker, Student Ministry
204 Lafayette Street, Kennett Square, PA 19348 #610-316-5626
email: steve.baker@uscm.org

Matt Doka doka@wharton.upenn.edu

 

David and Janet DeHuff, Penn Faculty Staff Christian Forum
Website: http://www.upenn-fscf.org

411 Olympic Ave.
Havertown, PA 19083
ddehuff@clm.org
610-446-9099 (Home/Office)
610-420-4793 (Cell)

Campus Crusade for Christ at the University of Pennsylvania exists to give every student the opportunity to begin a personal and meaningful relationship with God through Jesus Christ. We desire to help Christians from all denominations learn how to enjoy and express their faith more fully. In addition to student Bible study and fellowship groups, there is also a 'Penn Faculty Staff Christian Forum' coordinated by David DeHuff.

Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
Sara Keiper    sara_keiper@ivstaff.org     610-284-0157

Kevin Bauder, Graduate Staff Member
7 West Gay Street
West Chester, PA 19380

484-802-0939
email: Bauder@ivstaff.org

InterVarsity Fellowship at Penn is an interdenominational group that loves to study scripture, pray, and worship God together. This past year, we had about 150 students involved in our activities.

Pioneer Christian Fellowship

Philip Yang, Ph.D. - Senior Pastor  

3637 Chestnut St. Philadelphia, PA 19104                                      

484-951-4949                                                  

email: PioneerCF@aol.com

Pioneer Christian Fellowship (PCF) is an international Christian community who exalts the Creator God who is in three persons, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. We are a Bible believing evangelical Christian community, a fellowship of international churches.                                

We believe that as we gather together to love one another, God will come to dwell among us. We care for one another in small groups during week days (mostly Friday, and Thursday) and celebrate Jesus’ resurrection on Sundays.                                                                             

 

4) National Faith Group Ministries

Orthodox Christian Fellowship at the University of Pennsylvania

Meeting at the Religious Activities Common (3615 Locust Walk)

Judy Blebea Judy.Blebea@uphs.upenn.edu

Father Victor Gordonenchuk
dean@ststephens.org
215-756-228


The new OCF at Penn (now in its fourth year) is intended to provide a spiritual home on campus for students, faculty, and staff who belong to one of the Eastern Orthodox Churches of the Byzantine tradition (Greek, Russian, Ukrainian, Antiochian, Romanian, Serbian, Bulgarian, Albanian, Orthodox Church in America, Carpatho-Russian, etc.) or one of the Oriental Orthodox Churches (Coptic, Armenian, Ethiopian, Syrian, or Indian), as well as those who are interested in learning about the two-thousand-year Orthodox Christian community and tradition. We provide opportunities for liturgical worship and sacraments on campus, service projects, a Distinguished Guest Lecture series and other educational events, and fun, socializing, and fellowship.

5) Student Organizations Representing Major Faith Traditions

Hindu Student Council/Young Jains of America
Kanika Sharma

sharmakb@sas.upenn.edu


For further information on students who meet weekly to discuss issues and topics concerning the Hindu religion, please contact us at hscyja@dolphin.upenn.edu

 

Penn Sikh Organization

The Penn Sikh Organization is open to all students, undergraduates and graduates, of the University of Pennsylvania and all neighboring Philadelphia universities. One does not have to be Sikh to be a member. The organization is open to anyone interested in the Sikh religion, culture and heritage.

Muslim Students Association
Samir Malik samirmm@wharton.upenn.edu

The Muslim Students Association was established in 1963 in order to serve the needs of Muslim students as well as to educate the University community about Islam. It is a culturally diverse organization, comprised of both American and foreign Muslims.

Tibetan Buddhist Center

610-352-3430

Society of Friends (Quakers)

Peter Ivory ivory@penn.dev.upenn.edu

Lubavitch House at Penn                                                                            

Rabbi Ephraim Levin
215-222-3130, email: lchaim@dolphin.upenn.edu

Jewish Heritage Programs

Shelly Biesenthal
215-222-9618, email: shellybiesenthal@yahoo.com

Queer Christian Fellowship

The Queer Christian Fellowship provides fellowship for LGBT Christians in the Penn community. They welcome undergraduates, graduates, and all other who wish to support and meet LGBT Christians. The Fellowship offers Bible study, movie nights, speakers, and other activities. Meets every other Tuesday night at 6pm at the Christian Association [118 South 37th Street].

Jewish Bisexuals Gays & Lesbians (J-BaGeL)

J-BaGeL is a safe space and social support group for Jewish LGBT undergrad and grad students and their allies. Funded by Hillel of Greater Philadelphia, J-BaGeL has members from Penn and other colleges throughout the Philadelphia area. J-BaGeL is associated with NUJLS, the National Union of Jewish LGBT Students, a federation of queer Jewish youth. email: efraint@sas.upenn.edu

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