There are many ways to integrate your faith and spirituality into your college experience. Volunteer as a chapel leader, work in our office, or get involved with one of these student-led groups.

• BASIC (Affiliated with Orchard Hill Church and Nazareth Lutheran) – BASIC is a college and young adult ministry serving the Cedar Falls area that exists to unite people in the name of Jesus and invite them to join in the work he is doing to bless a broken world.
• The Bridge – Build bridges of compassion and understanding on campus through opportunities for dialogue, connection, and action across differences.
• Catholic Knights – Gather with other Roman Catholic students for fellowship and learning. Mass takes place on campus four times a year
• Fellowship of Christian Athletes – Combine your love of sports and the Christian faith.
• Gospel Choir – Share the rich tradition of gospel and praise with the campus community.
• Hope Overflow – Travel with a worship band and be of service to others.
• Muslim Student Associatioon (MSA) – Connect with other Muslim students for community and practice.
• Oaks International (Affiliated with Crosspoint Church) – To proclaim Christ and multiply disciple makers for the glory of God and the joy of all nations.
• SALT (Affiliated with Candeo Church) – SALT helps students find their greatest joy in Jesus through discipleship, Bible teaching, leader care, and community.
• Sanctuary Band – Help create a worshipful atmosphere through music at weekly Sanctuary gatherings.
• Sanctuary – Recharge and renew with a relaxed time of Bible study, conversation, music led by students, prayer, and communion.

Reach out to Chaplain Maggie if you would like more information on any of these groups.

Weekday Chapel

Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays
10:15–10:35 a.m., Wartburg Chapel
A 20-minute service for worship and reflection. There are no classes during Chapel time, so you can pause and breathe during a busy day. Services are livestreamed.

Sanctuary

Wednesdays 
9-10 p.m. Chapel Commons (lower level)
Recharge and renew with a relaxed time of Bible study, conversation, music led by students, prayer, and communion. Come at 8:45 p.m. for snacks and community. During nice weather, Sanctuary may be held outside.

Story Circles

2nd and 4th Wednesdays
7 p.m., Spiritual Life Offices (3rd floor Chapel/Skyway)
Looking for a place to belong? Story circles create spaces of belonging for students to share their stories and deeply listen to their peers. All religious and secular beliefs are welcome.

Grief Support Group

1st Wednesdays of the Month
7 p.m., Spiritual Life Offices (3rd floor Chapel/Skyway)
Space and place for students who have lost someone they love. All religious and secular beliefs are welcome.

Local Congregations

Many area churches have student-focused ministries. We would love to connect you with a congregation that fits you.

People meet with chaplains for a variety of reasons and sometimes for no reason at all! Chaplains are good listeners who are skilled in guiding individuals through a variety of interests or concerns, including…

• times of crisis or grief
• relationship struggles
• big questions: about faith or religion, meaning and purpose (we sometimes call this vocation), spirituality and justice, etc
• check-ins just for fun over coffee or tea
• confidential processes: Chaplains are a confidential resource that can assist in bias or Title IX related care while connecting students to other resources as desired
• discerning what’s next for your life’s journey

Just a note: You do not need to identify as religious or spiritual to meet with Chaplain Maggie. Chaplains meet with people from a diversity of worldviews and values.

SLCM at Wartburg openly welcomes and affirms people of all sexual orientations, gender identities, and expressions, and strives for equity on our campus and in our world.

You can make an appointment with Chaplain Maggie by sending her an e-mail, stopping by the SLCM office, or signing up for an appointment here.

Statement on Religious Accommodations and Coursework

Wartburg College is both rooted in the Lutheran tradition and open to varied expressions of faith in our community. Because of this, all students are encouraged to explore and practice their religious traditions. If you have a specific religious observance that conflicts with a course requirement, please speak with or communicate in writing with the professor within the first two weeks of class to request reasonable accommodation where necessary and work out alternate plans if needed. This may include holiday observance, routine scheduled prayer, or travel related to a significant religious occasion. Additional resources, advocacy, information, and support are available through the Office of Spiritual Life.

Religious Support and Accommodations

The Office of Spiritual Life is the on-campus resource for all things related to religious accommodations and support. Chaplain Maggie Falenschek, Dean of Spiritual Life, is trained in accompanying and providing support for all religious traditions and worldviews. The Office of Spiritual Life can assist students in getting connected with local religious communities, peer groups on campus, and access to items and space needed for religious practice.

Prayer Spaces

There are two quiet prayer spaces on campus. The Lilly Reflection Room is located in the Student Center near the Mensa. The Interfaith Prayer Room is located in the Chapel Commons (basement). Both spaces include prayer rugs, meditation cushions, sacred texts, and other items used in prayer, reflection and meditation. These spaces do not need to be reserved and are available to students whenever the buildings are unlocked.

Bidets for ritual purification

Students with private or semi-private bathrooms are able to have bidets installed on their toilets for ritual purification. Students should purchase their own bidet and coordinate with Residence Life to have it installed by maintenance. Assistance is available through Spiritual Life for students who cannot afford to purchase a bidet.

Dietary Needs

Dining services has Halal prepared food options and are looking to add more where possible. During ritual fasting, students can obtain food through their food plan and stay within the restrictions of fasting from sunup to sundown. The Office of Spiritual Life can assist with food costs associated with community meals to celebrate religious holidays. The Ubuntu Center Kitchen contains a wide range of spices that can be used to make traditional foods.

Nearest Religious Communities

Masjid Al-noor Islamic Community Center (20 miles)
2110 Sager Avenue, Waterloo IA(319) 233-6640 | CfwMasjid@gmail.com

Sons of Jacob Synagogue (18 miles)
715 Progress Ave, Waterloo, IA 50702
(319) 233-9448 | soj.iowa.office@gmail.com
Rabbi: Rebecca Kushner

Hindu Temple & Cultural Center of Iowa (129 miles)
33916 155th Ln. Madrid, IA 50156
(515) 795-2635 | admin@htcciowa.org
Priests: Dr. Khimanand Upreti, Pt. Vasudevakumar

Des Moines Zen Center (Zen Buddhist) (139 miles)
6901 SW 14th St. Des Moines, IA 50315
dsmzencenter@gmail.com
Sunday and Wednesday practices

Garchen Mila Buddhist Center (Tibetan Buddhist) (103 miles)
209 E Washington St, Suite 200, Iowa City, IA 52240
(937) 244-1961 | sangha@milarepaiowa.org
Sunday practices

Sikhs of Iowa Khalsa Heritage (135 miles)
Johnston gurudwara
4820 NW 59th Avenue, Johnston, IA 50313
(515) 229-7808
Sunday Worship (Kirtan and Ardaas) begins at 11:30 a.m.