Supporting Religious and Spiritual Life in all its Expressions
USM Religious & Spiritual Life provides support for all members of the university community in religious and spiritual development as well as interfaith respect, appreciation, and cooperation.
Our work is guided by these goals for student learning as a result of participating in our programs:
Students will learn
- to clarify their own beliefs and values;
- to connect their beliefs and values to their choices and actions; and
- to understand and relate respectfully to those whose beliefs and values are different from their own.
Chaplains and Advisors from diverse religious and spiritual traditions offer services and support for learning and for deepening students’ own spiritual journeys.
Among the traditions represented by our ordained chaplains and lay spiritual advisors:
- Baha’i
- Buddhist
- Catholic
- Christian
- Jewish
- Muslim
- Native American
- Pagan
List of services around USM.
Interfaith programs provide opportunities for the USM community to come together from different religious and spiritual perspectives, find common ground, and address community issues from religious/spiritual perspectives.
Student Organizations around common religious identity offer connections and activities with others who share the same tradition, background, or religious/spiritual interests.
University Liaison serves as a conduit between the Chaplains and Advisors, and the University. The Liaison maintains sponsorship letters from the affiliated religious and spiritual communities and helps to coordinate the activities of the Religious and Spiritual Life Council.
University of Southern Maine Policy on Religious and Spiritual Life (PDF – 60kb)Space for Prayer, Meditation, Reflection
The Religious & Spiritual Life Council has an office located in the 2nd Floor Abromson Community Center in Portland and features a space set aside for prayer, meditation, or quiet reflection by individuals or groups. Cushions, prayer rugs, a few chairs, and other materials are available for use; a compass is available to indicate which direction is East (facing towards Mecca).
Providing safe, private space for spiritual and religious activities is one of the simplest but most vital forms of support USM offers its students.Weekly and Biweekly Group meetings
The Bridge is an evangelical group that meets via zoom with “The Gathering Live” – Sundays at 7 p.m. with students, young adults from several campuses across the area. Their purpose is to offer a place to belong, a place to connect – regardless of background, culture, religion, or gender. Email msmcclendon.maine@gmail.com for more information.
The Navigators Christian Group meets on Tuesdays at 7:30pm in Bailey 10 on the Gorham campus. Email ccoachrus@gmail.com for more information.
World Too Beautiful is a healing service focused on the power of nature and our place in God’s created order. The group meets on the 1st and 3rd Wednesdays of each month from 5:45-7pm via Zoom. Email eprior@cathedralofstluke.org for more information.