Southwestern and The United Methodist Church
Southwestern stands in a United Methodist tradition of higher education. Non-sectarian and diverse in its collective life, Southwestern’s character is shaped by John Wesley’s famous appeal: “Let learning and vital piety be joined.”
Southwestern's Relation to The United Methodist Church
Dogmatic rigidity is alien to our institutional spirit; we hold that ethical commitments and spiritual identities must welcome and support the swift advance of knowledge. Believing that none has a permanent monopoly on truth, Southwestern is fundamentally committed to academic freedom, to the informed debate in which new knowledge, new ethical insights, and richer spiritualities are grounded. Southwestern also shares the traditional Methodist concern for social justice: we seek to promote a sense of social responsibility, and are committed to offering the benefits of higher education to those who confront adverse financial and social circumstances.
Southwestern is a human-scale community, at whose center are meaningful human relationships rather than bureaucratic routines. Students and faculty, administration and staff, as well as the board of trustees–all are answerable to face-to-face relationships that impose a level of responsibility unknown in very large institutions. Our small size and private character do not mean seclusion from the broader world of social and political conflict, but afford a distinctive and humane way of engaging that world.
How Southwestern Expresses This Relationship
By virtue of its placement in the center of Southwestern's campus, The Lois Perkins Chapel building symbolizes the rich tradition of undergraduate education in the United Methodist Church – helping students realize their fullest human potential within an intellectually challenging, nurturing and inclusive community. Chapel Services are held each Thursday during the regular semester at 11am, and open to anyone who would like to attend.
Southwestern expresses its church relationship in other ways, including financial aid and scholarships to United Methodist students, non-United Methodist students, ethnic minority students and other students. Concern for social issues, service and activism are encouraged on campus.
Rather than making policies to “enforce” good decision making, the University puts resources toward educational programming, well thought out policies and face-to-face relationships that enhance and encourage healthy, moral decision-making for all its students and community.
Resources for Our Community's Spiritual Life
Southwestern makes religious and spiritual resources available to the campus community through the Office Religious Life. All programs are voluntary. Opportunities for involvement include:
- Weekly chapel services (staff, faculty and students are invited to attend)
- Worship services during Parent Orientation, Homecoming, Family Days and Commencement Convocation
- Advent Candlelight Service of lessons and carols
- Pre-ministry student support
- Interfaith dialogue
- Destination: Service (volunteer service trips during Spring Break)
- Special events (concerts, lectures and other performances)
- Small-group discussion groups and groups for spiritual support
- Pastoral care and counseling
- Links for students with their preferred religious communities
- Spiritual Life retreats
Resources for Students
Southwestern is also home to many student organizations through which students find support for their religious and spiritual growth:
- AM Levy Jewish Student Association
- Canterbury (Episcopal)
- Catholic Student Organization
- Cross Training
- Fellowship of Christian Athletes
- Kappa Upsilon Chi (men)
- Lutherans at Southwestern
- Muslim Student Association
- Sigma Phi Lambda (women)
- United Methodist Student Movement
Invocations are given at some, but not all, University events and are given at the request of the group sponsoring the event.
