• Office of Religious and Spiritual Life
• Religious & Spiritual Groups on Campus

Religious & Spiritual Groups on Campus

Check out these groups to see how you can meet other students, worship and engage in spiritual practice.

• Buddhist Meditation Group: The Buddhist Meditation Group of Occidental College is for students of both Buddhist and non-Buddhist backgrounds seeking to encounter the teachings of Gautama Buddha who lived in India over 2,500 years ago. The focus is on Buddhism as it is lived and practiced today, and is aimed to supplement the academic approach of courses offered at the college on the religion. The talks and discussions are to stimulate the appreciation of the wisdom of Buddhism. The meditation, conversely, is to provide the experience of Buddhism. Meditation is conducted in the Zen style. In addition to the group’s weekly meetings, there are scheduled visitations to several Buddhist centers and temples in the Los Angeles Area. The group meets at the Herrick Interfaith Chapel and Center every Tuesday, 5:00 to 6:00 p.m.
  Religious Advisor:  Rev. Nobuko Miyoshi, revnobuko@gmail.com
  Student Leader:   Brian Holtvedt, holtvedt@oxy.edu
   
• Life Christian Fellowship: The aim of Life Christian Fellowship is to share the good news of Christ with everyone we meet. We hold weekly Bible studies where we not only study the Bible but also have discussion about relevant questions and how they apply to one’s daily walk with Christ.  If you are looking for a spiritual home and answers to your questions, our doors are open wide, so stop by to chat with us. We’d love to meet you.
  Religious Advisor:   Jackie Choi, jackiechoi@gmail.com
  Student Leader:  Elissa Kim, elissakim@oxy.edu
  Club website:  http://life-cf.org/oxy/
  Club email:  lcf@oxy.edu
   
• Hillel:  Hillel is the center of Jewish life on Occidental’s campus, focusing on religious, cultural, social, and service events through out the year to bring together Jews and honorary Jews in the Oxy community.
  Religious Advisor:  Joshua Knobel, Joshua.knobel@outlook.com
  Student Leader:  Rachel Baer, baer@oxy.edu
  Student Leader:  Jessica Grenader, grenader@oxy.edu
  Club email: hillel@oxy.edu
  Club Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/groups/oxyhillel/
   
• Interfaith Council:  The Interfaith Council is a student club created to promote a commitment to religious pluralism and to interfaith dialogue, understanding, and cooperation amongst students on campus.  The Council provides a forum for interfaith discussion, exchanging ideas, and designing service projects in the community.  It is open to all Occidental students who meaningfully engage with existence, this includes people of all faith backgrounds and traditions, as well as non-faith backgrounds such as Atheists, Agnostics, and Humanists.
  Religious Advisor:  Rev. Susan Young, young@oxy.edu
  President:  Esther Shears, shears@oxy.edu
  Club E-mail:  interfaith@oxy.edu
  Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/OxyInterfaith
   
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship: InterVaristy Christian Fellowship is a multiethnic community committed to following Jesus and growing in love for God together. We do this through weekly large group gatherings, small group Bible studies, social justice projects and more. Small groups meet through out the week in various dorms and locations. For more information, visit Facebook –“InterVarsity at Oxy.” Large group meetings will be held on Thursdays at 8:00 p.m. in Lower Herrick.
  Religious Advisor:  Drew Jackson, drewjackson@fuller.edu
  Religious Advisor:   Tim Hsieh, tim_jess@earthlink.net
  Student Leader Alan Zeng, zeng@oxy.edu
  Facebook: "InterVarsity @ Oxy"
   
• Latter-Day Saints Students Association.
  Religious Advisor:  Dick Ray Paulsen, PaulsenDR@ldschurch.org


• Muslim Student Association:  We are a diverse group of Muslims with roots from across the United States, Asia, Africa and the Middle East. We are a group of students dedicated to educating ourselves and others on Islam, and providing a liberating space for Muslim students to come together on a weekly basis. We work actively on taking action on issues of political, social, cultural, and religious importance. We promote an interfaith environment founded on the principles of justice and solidarity. All are welcome!
  Religious Advisor:  Rev. Susan Young, young@oxy.edu
  Student Leader:  Dina Yazdani, yazdani@oxy.edu
   
• Newman Catholic Community:  The Catholic Newman Community was established on Occidental College in 1921.  Rooted in the spiritual tradition of the Roman Catholic faith and called to be disciples of Jesus Christ, we are here to proclaim the Good News of God’s love for all people.  As a dynamic faith community for students and faculty alike, we encourage one another through prayer, worship, and living the reality of the Christian life in an environment where students can ask questions, seek truth and encounter Jesus Christ face-to-face.   As disciples of Jesus Christ, we accept our mission to reach out to all God’s people, especially to those in need, so that the Kingdom of God may be realized in our campus, community, nation and world.
  Priest:  Father Jerome Cudden, fatherjerome@fatherjerome.com
  Religious Advisor:  Maggie Contreras, contrerasact@gmail.com
  Student Leader:  Ashley Quintana, quintana@oxy.edu
  Student Leader:  Marixa Rodriguez, marixarodriguez@oxy.edu
   
•  Progressive Christians Uniting:  Progressive Christians Uniting meets weekly for prayer, reflection and discussion about Christianity. In addition to our weekly meetings, we offer opportunities for students to be engaged in social issues. This may be helping immigrant workers on their organic farms or perhaps protesting unfair propositions. We are open to anyone who would like to use their faith traditions to bring healing to the world. We don’t have all the answers but we are group where together we can explore the questions.
  Religious Advisor:  Rev. Heather Blackstone, blackstone@oxy.edu 
  Student Leader:  Natalie Malter, malter@oxy.edu
  Student Leader:  Esther Shears, shears@oxy.edu 
   
• Unitarian Universalist.
  Religious Advisor:  Rev. Tera Little, teral@att.net 
  Student Leader:  Emma Gerch, gerch@oxy.edu
   
• Yoga.
  Religious Advisor:  Rev. Susan Young, young@oxy.edu
  Student Leader:  Isabelle Struve, struve@oxy.edu