The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life is excited to provide the 2025 Fall Ecumenical Devotional Guide to the SMU community. This guide contains devotionals around our theme for the semester, "Missed Call?: Purpose & Calling in College Life." The word "ecumenical" refers to the collective body of Christian traditions throughout the world. To say something is "ecumenical" is to say that it strives after unity within areas of common ground amidst differences in thought and practice.
The SMU community features a diverse community of Christian traditions, and this guide reflects a small piece of that variety. No one viewpoint is meant to be representative of all Christians or traditions. Instead, we hope it is representative of the wide story that God is telling amongst our communities. If you have questions or want to get connected with a specific community on campus, please reach out to chaplain@smu.edu.
Looking for a Christian community to get connected with? The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life recognizes many different Campus Ministries and student-led organizations from a variety of Christian traditions. Click or tap on the name of an organization below to visit their page on SMU360 and learn more.
If you are interested in starting a new student religious group, contact Kaleb Loomis at kloomis@smu.edu.
Non-Denominational
Non-Denominational
Baptist
Catholic
Non-Denominational
Non-Denominational
Non-Denominational
Non-Denominational
Non-Denominational
Church of Christ
Presbyterian - PCA
Presbyterian - PCA
Non-Denominational
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PCUSA
Non-Denominational
Methodist
Non-Denominational
Each semester, a group of Christian faculty and staff across campus gather to discuss different books of the Bible and other activities. The group meets every other Thursday for Bible study, and on the alternating Thursdays hosts a prayer group or Christianity and Scholarship events discussing the integration of Christian faith and academic work such as teaching and scholarship. In addition, several fellowship gatherings are held over the course of the academic year.
For more information on how to connect, please email either Dr. Stigler at bstigler@smu.edu, Dr. Wilson at jmwilson@smu.edu, or Angela Jones arjones@smu.edu.
If you are looking for a local church to attend, there are many choices in Dallas, both close to campus and throughout the city. See below for a few local churches close to SMU.
Antioch Community Church Dallas (Non-Denominational)
*Cathedral of Hope
Christ the King Catholic Church - Dallas, TX
First Baptist Dallas
*First Presbyterian Church of Dallas (PCUSA)
*Grace United Methodist Church
Highland Park Presbyterian Church (ECO) - Dallas, TX
Highland Park United Methodist Church
Northway Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
*Oak Lawn United Methodist Church
Park Cities Baptist Church
Preston Road Church of Christ - Dallas, TX
Royal Lane Baptist Church - Dallas, TX
St. Christopher's Episcopal Church
St. Luke Community United Methodist Church
St. Rita Catholic Church - Dallas, TX
*St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church - Catholic Parish in East Dallas
Watermark Community Church (Non-Denominational) - Dallas, TX
Wilshire Baptist Church - Dallas, TX
Zion Lutheran Church
*LGBTQ+ affirming congregations
With so many different Christian traditions represented at SMU, the Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life hosts several community gatherings each semester that provide a common ground for students, faculty, and staff to worship and grow together. Regardless of your religious background, all are welcome to join!
Love Feasts are a historic Christian practice that celebrates community and common life. Each semester, the OCRL hosts a Love Feast in recognition of Advent and Easter. Join us for a treat and to reflect on peace and hope during these seasons of life.
Each fall and spring our office provides devotional guides to guide you through that season. View our archive of guides below.