Chaplain and Religious Life

Do Justice, Love Kindness, Walk Humbly with God

The Office of the Chaplain and Religious Life seeks to create an inclusive community that celebrates intellectual curiosity about religion and spirituality, nourishes ethical decision-making, cultivates deep spiritual exploration and supports faithful living. We promote moral and ethical leadership development and provide pastoral care and welcome for SMU’s religiously diverse community. Grounded in the University’s Methodist identity, the office enhances the educational mission of the university through religious and spiritual programming and services for all students, staff, faculty, and administration.

 

2025 Fall Devotional Guide

This semester's devotional guide contains devotions around our theme for the semester, "Missed Call?: Purpose & Calling in College Life." 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 all traditions. Instead, we hope it is a reflection of the wider story God is telling amongst our community. 

Learn More and Download the Guide

students and staff in front of the Edmund Pettus Bridge in Selma, Alabama

Multireligious programming

Do Justice
girls talking on bench

Pastoral/spiritual care

Love Kindness
Reverend Lisa Garvin in black robe with white stole giving sermon in Perkins Chapel

Religious Life at SMU

Walk Humbly with God
three people covered in multi-colored powder standing outside in front of red and yellow floral backdrop

Religious holidays

View Religious Holidays
five students sitting outside by fountain in front of Dallas Hall on sunny day

Spaces, food and policies

Learn More
row of small candles in a "v" shape with flame on a black background

Service of Memory

View Past Services

Center for Faith and Learning

SMU created the Center for Faith and Learning to promote greater integration of intellectual and spiritual life, both on campus and in society more broadly. Rooted in and inspired by the University’s Methodist identity, the Center seeks to help SMU students, faculty, and staff discern and develop connections between their religious convictions and their academic and professional work. In addition, the Center seeks to highlight and to promote dialogue surrounding the relevance of faith-based perspectives to fundamental questions in every area of intellectual inquiry and public life.

Three SMU students walking on campus and talking
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Upcoming opportunities and events

  • Sunday Morning Worship

    Sunday, December 21, 2025, 10:00am — Preston Road Church of Christ Worship Service with Singing, Sermon, Bible Study and Weekly Communion

  • Sunday Morning Worship

    Sunday, December 28, 2025, 10:00am — Preston Road Church of Christ Worship Service with Singing, Sermon, Bible Study and Weekly Communion

  • Sunday Morning Worship

    Sunday, January 04, 2026, 10:00am — Preston Road Church of Christ Worship Service with Singing, Sermon, Bible Study and Weekly Communion

  • Dinner and Bible Study

    Wednesday, January 07, 2026, 7:30pm — Private Location (register to display) Dinner and Bible Study for Young Adults and College Students on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

  • Sunday Morning Worship

    Sunday, January 11, 2026, 10:00am — Preston Road Church of Christ Worship Service with Singing, Sermon, Bible Study and Weekly Communion

  • Sunday Morning Worship

    Sunday, January 18, 2026, 10:00am — Preston Road Church of Christ Worship Service with Singing, Sermon, Bible Study and Weekly Communion

  • Dinner and Bible Study

    Wednesday, January 21, 2026, 7:30pm — Private Location (register to display) Dinner and Bible Study for Young Adults and College Students on the first and third Wednesdays of the month.

  • Jummah Prayer

    Friday, January 23, 2026, 2:15pm — Hughes-Trigg Student Center - Room #220 Join the SMU Muslim Student Association for our weekly Jummah Prayer this Friday. All students, faculty, and community members are welcome. Come for...