Religious organizations bring faith and friendship to campus

Rowan Christian Fellowship

Rowan Christian Fellowship is an organization that provides community service and activities for group members. On March 2, the group had a benefit concert, “Touch The World Uganda,” to raise money for education for children in Uganda. The event attracted Christian bands True North, Compelled and Ashland and raised $1,000.

RCF senator and future vice president Bonnie McCloy encourages students to join the group.

“It’s a great organization. We always have fun with community outreach,” said McCloy, a junior marketing major. “There are down to earth people that are positive and uplifting. It energizes you.”

Freshman athletic training major Ian Patterson said his reason for joining a religious organization on campus was similar to other group members.

“I was just looking for a place to meet people who had common interests,” Patterson said. “It’s a great place. Everybody’s really fun and accepting.”

RCF meets every Wednesday at 8 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 221.

True U

The newest religious organization formed just six weeks ago, True U is still in the partitioning stage but already has 25 members.

Junior science and math elementary education major Rebecca Gargiulo says the group plans on doing a lot of community service much like other organizations on campus, including the upcoming Relay For Life on campus.

“The essence of our group is to discover and find God. The group is compassionate,” Gargiulo said.

Sophomore Camden County College student Jim Emerich, who plans on transferring to Rowan in the fall as a junior elementary education major, is already part of True U.

“Our group really is dedicated on doing community service for the surrounding area and Rowan,” Emerich said.

True U meets does not yet have a set date for meetings but more information will become available as the group grows.

Latter-Day Saints Student Association

The Latter-Day Saints Student Association is a small group on campus still in the chartering process.

According to assistant professor of public relations and advertising Michael McNiven who also serves as faculty advisor for the LDSSA the group aims to encourage a balanced secular and spiritual life for students at Rowan.

Wednesday meetings are classes for students to ask questions of a spiritual nature such as the meaning of life and to explore any spiritual texts that may help them find balance in their years as a student. The LDSSA’s current subject of study is the Book of Mormon. In future years, the group plans to focus on the New Testament and Old Testament.

The group is currently small, but is willing to partner with other groups to promote balanced lives for Rowan students. The LDSSA meets on Wednesdays from 12:15-1:15 p.m. in Education Hall, Room 3109.

Catholic Campus Ministry

According to club president Dana Douress, junior education major, Catholic Campus Ministry (formerly known as the Newman Club) focuses on three pillars: spirituality, service and social. Prior to meetings every Wednesday at 6 p.m., they have a free, home-cooked dinner.

The club provides service opportunities, spiritual events and social gatherings and their meetings include having speakers, having discussions and playing games. They have Sunday mass at 6 p.m. which is open to both the Rowan community and the town of Glassboro. The CCM has also had a wide variety of events including $1 all-you-can-eat pasta dinners open to the entire campus during the first week of every month.

Junior psychology major Maeve Comber joined CCM when a friend invited her to a meeting her freshman year.

“Everyone is so welcoming and we always have a lot of fun. It’s great to be around people who have the same beliefs,” Comber said.

As a service project every month, the group goes to Gardens at Cross Keys to play bingo with the residents. They also go on a retreat every semester to St. Mary of Providence Retreat Center on Elverson, Pa. The group is not only open to Catholic students, but anyone who would like to get involved.

The CCM meets Wednesdays at 7 p.m. at the Newman House, located at 1 Redmond Ave. (behind the Alumni House).

Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship

The Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship is driven by worship, fellowship, prayer, mission and discipleship. According to club president senior Diane Frank, English elementary education major, it’s a great place to make friends and grow in your faith during a stressful and busy time in our lives.

During meetings, the group sings songs played by a student worship team and then listens to a message from campus pastor Chris Kennedy. The group also has social hang-outs after meetings, which in the past have included bowling, scavenger hunts and an ice cream social.

“I come to meetings because I love socializing with other Christians who believe in the same things I do. Everyone is really friendly and it’s easy to be social,” said Britney Carmichael, a sophomore English major.

For service projects during Christmas time, the group stuffed shoe boxes to send as presents to soldiers overseas. The CACF will also participate in Relay for Life on April 16 at the Rowan University football field.

The group currently has about 40 members and also has men’s and woman’s small group Bible studies.

The CACF meets Thursdays at 7 p.m. in Student Center, Room 221.

Worship Church Glassboro Bible Study

Worship Church Glassboro Bible Study is for Christians or anyone who is just curious to grow in their faith. 

According to Rowan alumni Carl Nalbandian, who earned a B.S. in management  in 2003 and MBA in 2005, the WCG is a great place to grow in your faith and be with other people who support you.

The group recently raised $1,600 for Haiti by collecting donations outside the student center. Meetings open with a time of worship with music, followed by time for preaching and sharing passages from the Bible.

“It’s important to connect with fellow students and have a strong faith,” Nalbandian said.

The WCG meets Sundays at 7 p.m. in the main lobby of the Rowan science building.

New Life Ministry

New Life Ministry is a gospel choir trying to help bring souls to Christ through their ministry of music.

According to Abrina Hillson, a sophomore public relations major and the director of publicity, they hold choir rehearsal and bible study every week.

“You don’t have to be able to sing to fellowship with us, we welcome everyone,” Hillson said.

They also have praise parties held the same night and time as campus parties in the Student Rec. Center, which is free and includes free food, music, games and more. NLM will also have praise dancing available in the fall.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes

The Fellowship of Christian Athletes is an organization that guides and coaches athletes through their Christian beliefs. They have three main principles: to encourage, equip and empower students.

The group meets every Monday from 8 – 9 p.m. in the Student Center, Room 144 C and D.

Hillel

Hillel is a small organization that focuses on Jewish culture and religion. They are currently waiting to be repartitioned by SGA, but hope to reform in the fall.

Freshman writing arts major Greg Silber is pleased that the organization might be reforming.

“I really want to meet more Jewish students on campus,” Silber said. “I’m really looking forward to it. I’m trying to get back into doing more Jewish stuff.”

Some activities that they have held are Hanukkah parties, speakers from local shaliach, movie nights and trips to the Holocaust Museum in Washington D.C.

For more information on this group, contact their advisor Marc Fleischner at fleischner@rowan.edu.

– Contributions made by Features Editor, Samantha Costa