Faith and Spiritual Life
Your college experience is more than just preparing for a job. It’s a laboratory for learning about life. At Mary Baldwin, you’ll have the time and resources to explore your spiritual journey alongside your academics.
By connecting with the Office of the Chaplain, you can deepen various aspects of your life, including spirituality, personal commitments, and relationships with family and friends.
The Office of the Chaplain
The Office of the Chaplain is committed to the spiritual flourishing of all members of the Mary Baldwin community, religious and non-religious. The Chaplain provides sacred spaces for multi-faith expression and supports student-led clubs.
The Quest Program
Quest offers a path of guided interfaith engagement for students of all religions or no religion.
Quest involves:
- Community engagement and site visits
- Coursework for career preparation, like REL 130: Navigating Religious Diversity
- Facilitated interfaith dialogues to explore personal faith and traditions
- Educational campus events, especially religious celebrations
“Quest was an incredible experience for me. It really helped me to find my voice—that it’s ok to have questions and be curious. I got to learn about so many different religions and perspectives that I never would have without Quest. It helped me find a community, especially a community where I felt welcomed.”
Sarah (Ajax) LaskowskiClass of ’20
Sacred Spaces & Events
Interfaith Space
A lounge space for all students, regardless of religion, the Interfaith Space is found in Carpenter Academic 101. The space is used by Quest and other groups for meetings, meditation and for celebrating religious holidays. Anyone on campus can reserve the Interfaith Space by emailing the Office of the Chaplain.
Miller Chapel
Located on the main campus in Staunton, VA, Miller Chapel provides space for meetings, events, and various forms of worship.
Off-Campus Groups
Outside the Interfaith Space, students can access a table of information about local religious communities and events of interest.
The chaplain’s office also sponsors community fairs throughout the year for local groups to share information on campus.
Study Religion and Spirituality
Minors in Religion
Mary Baldwin offers minors in Religious Studies and Religious Leadership and Ministry. These programs are a great way to learn more about your own faith, as well as explore the histories and cultures of the world around you.
Pre-Ministry Carpenter Award
No matter what subject you’re studying, the Pre-Ministry Carpenter Awards offer financial support to students committed to a post-graduate career or lifelong practice of ministry.
- Awards total $5,000
- Distribution varies year-to-year
- Granted regardless of major
- Given based on merit and financial need
To learn more, contact the Office of the Chaplain.
FAQ’s
Quest is an academic program, not a club, so there is no official membership. Anyone, religious or non-religious, can take part in Quest’s many diverse events. If you have questions, contact the Office of the Chaplain.
The Carpenter Society is for students who love community engagement and are passionate about interfaith study. Students who attend four Quest meetings in an academic year and complete a site visit to a religious site different than their own are invited to the Carpenter Society. Members meet annually with the Office of the Chaplain for spiritual mentorship.
Local religious organizations can submit events and opportunities to Mary Baldwin through the announcement form. They may also email information directly to the Chaplain if they wish to advertise their events and opportunities through the Office of the Chaplain’s outreach.
If religious organizations want to sponsor a faith-based student club, they must contact the Office of the Chaplain and review their religious life policies.
Your Mary Baldwin Chaplain
Rev. Katherine Low
Chaplain; Professor, Religion
540-887-7044
chaplain@marybaldwin.edu
Carpenter 102