Dean of the Chapel

Mission of the Dean of the Chapel

The office of the Dean of the Chapel facilitates and supports the religious and spiritual lives of all students, encouraging them explore and develop their faith as they develop their minds. Through worship, service, programs and outreach events, Hood students are encouraged to make vital connections on campus and with the wider community.

Religious Services

Christian worship is held weekly in Coffman Chapel when classes are in session. On Wednesday afternoons students, faculty and staff worship together, sharing their gifts of music, prayers and reflections. The first Wednesday of each month is dedicated to an Interfaith Service celebrating a common value or issue, with members of the many traditions represented at Hood offering scripture or wisdom from their community.

There are also services and events celebrating a variety of special holidays and seasons (such as the Muslim Ramadan Iftar, Jewish Sukkot and Yom HaShoah, and Christian Ash Wednesday and Christmas Vespers) offered throughout the year.

Religious/Spiritual Groups

Student groups on campus include

Muslim Student Association
Jewish Student Union
Inter-Varsity Christian Fellowship
Young Life
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Buddhist Meditation
Hood Secular Humanists

Many students prefer to attend worship services off campus. Congregations representing many traditions welcome student participation and are within an easy walking distance of the campus. A list of these is available to students and families through the Chapel office or through a link on this website.

Support/Outreach/Programs

Pastoral Counseling
Support of student groups and individuals
Community events such as the “Brewing Issues” Community Discussion series, a partnership between Hood College and the downtown churches of Frederick.
Alternative Spring Break – Hood students spend their spring break at sites such as the United Church of Christ’s Franklinton Center at Bricks, Whitakers, North Carolina or on the Gulf Coast working with Habitat for Humanity (both the Hood campus chapter and the local Frederick chapter.)

If you have questions about religious life/ spiritual enrichment at Hood, please contact Rev. Beth O’Malley at omalley@hood.edu or by calling (301) 696-3436.

Links

Local Faith Communities (attachment for website)

Religious Orgs on Student Orgs Website

Alternative Break – see Frederick News Post or Blazer links