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.
• Campus Ministry Council – representatives from each Christian ministry gather regularly to build a larger, more connected Christian community, crossing divides to support one another in ministry here on campus.  
• 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.
• Preaching Fellows – Explore the craft of preaching and writing sermons
• 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.

Holden Evening Prayer

1^st Sunday of the Month
Chapel Sanctuary, 7:30 p.m.

Daily Devotionals

In your email inbox! 
A brief, intentional reflection, written by and for the Wartburg community, meant to inspire a moment of thoughtfulness, prayer, or meditation. Email ryan.deboer@wartburg.edu to receive these emails! 

Retreats

Fall Retreat 
Fall retreat offers a 24-hour opportunity for students to get away from campus, disconnect with stressors, and reconnect with their purpose. Fall retreat includes a morning guided kayak tour on the Mississippi backwaters.  

Campus Ministry Retreat 
SLCM partners with campus ministries from Luther and Augustana Colleges for a yearly winter retreat. Themes change each year, providing opportunities for growth and relaxation while building lasting relationships across schools. Chapel Sanctuary 

Story Circles

Story circles create spaces of belonging for students to share their stories and deeply listen to their peers. Story circles happen throughout the semester with various organizations across campus. 

Bridge Fellows: Coming Fall 2027

The Bridge Fellowship is a year-long learning and leadership opportunity designed to help students develop the knowledge, skills, and confidence needed to engage across differences. Fellows participate in a cohort experience that combines reflection, dialogue, skill-building, and practical application. Fellows have opportunities to apply their learning through campus engagement, belonging initiatives, and projects that strengthen connection and understanding within the Wartburg community. 

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.

The Bridge

The Bridge is a SLCM program designed to help students build relationships, deepen understanding, and engage thoughtfully across differences. Through immersive experiences, intentional conversation, and skill-building workshops, The Bridge equips students to listen, learn, and connect with people whose cultures, identities, experiences, and perspectives may differ from their own. 

Immersion Experiences

Interfaith: March 2027
Travel to Minneapolis, Minn. to learn how different religious communities are caring for their neighbors. Attend shabbat at a Jewish Temple, share a meal with a Muslim community, explore justice and community organizing movements with a Lutheran congregation and more.  

Colombia: March 2028
Travel to Medellin, Colombia, for a life-changing cultural immersion focused on peace-building, justice, and community engagement. Connect with local leaders and change makers. Explore Colombia’s rich history and inspiring transformation. Engage in meaningful service & accompaniment. Experience a vibrant culture full of resilience & hope. 

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.