Religious and Spiritual Life at Hood

The Dean of the Chapel offers support to students, staff and faculty of all spiritual backgrounds. Along with individual pastoral care and spiritual direction, there are a variety of opportunities for religious activity, spiritual exploration and worship with various faith communities at the college and in the greater Frederick area. Each fall students are invited to visit area faith communities to find a spiritual “home away from home.” Every semester brings new possibilities for spiritual nurture and growth. Some of these include Bible studies, meditation groups, spiritual direction, service projects, prayer and pastoral care.

Chapel services with an interfaith theme are held weekly during the school year and special prayer services occur throughout the year commemorating celebrations like Thanksgiving and Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Ha’Shoah.) There are chapters of Intervarsity Christian Fellowship, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Young Life, Muslim Student Association, and Hillel Jewish student association, as well as other informal student lead groups.

Other events during the year include a campus-wide Ramadan feast, a Sukkot booth on the Quad, Holidays at Hood Multifaith Winter Celebration, and Ash Wednesday observance, to name a few.

A Baccalaureate Service closes each year with a celebration of faith and learning. Hood College maintains its historic connection with the United Church of Christ, a Protestant denomination, while honoring the rich diversity of faith expressions on our campus.