Christianity has a strong place at Carleton. Originally founded as a Congregationalist college, with additional historic ties to Episcopalian and Baptist traditions, Carleton today celebrates a diversity of Christian faiths and backgrounds. We do this in a number of ways:
- Offering a variety of Christian programs and services on campus. This includes a variety of student-led groups and programs, several weekly bible studies and worship opportunities, and special services each term that invites clergy from different Christian traditions to lead worship.
- Supporting Christian student groups on campus, including Fellowship in Christ (FC), the Carleton Catholic Student Association, and the Episcopal Students Association. The Office of the Chaplain supports any Christian student interested in forming a group around their particular faith tradition or practice.
- Partnering and connecting students with congregations and campus ministries, especially those who support ministries to students at Carleton. These include Church of St. Dominic, Emmaus Church, Life21 Church, Northfield Community Church, St. John’s Lutheran Church, and All Saints Episcopal Church. Other churches can be found here, with ride information can be found below.
- FISH House (Christian House): Students wishing to live in Christian community may apply to live in FISH House. This is an powerful way for students to deepen their faith and live with other Christians seeking to live together.
- Our Associate Chaplain for Christian and Interfaith Life: Rev. Drew Yackel is one of four chaplains of the college, and serves to support the wide diversity of Christians on campus. Rev. Yackel is available for pastoral care and counseling, offering a space where students can bring their entire selves, including questions, crises of faith, academic pursuits, identity, hardship, joy, current events, and anything else on their mind. Rev. Yackel provides an open, non-judgmental space to support anything you are experiencing and welcomes all, Christian or anyone else. They can also connect you with Northfield resources and communities for growth, support, and worship.
Please see below to learn more about the many student groups, worship services, bible studies, and opportunities for Christian fellowship!
Transformation Tuesdays
A weekly Christian bible study that meets at noon on Tuesdays in the Chapel Lounge. All Christian perspectives and traditions welcome! Pizza and drinks are provided. Contact Rev. Drew Yackel, Associate Chaplain for Christian and Interfaith Life, with questions or to learn more!
Taize Evensong Worship
A contemplative Christian evening service with song, prayer, and meditative silence. Evensong meets weekly on Wednesdays during the term from 8:30 – 9 p.m. in the main chapel. Join for snacks and hot chocolate afterwards. Contact Rev. Drew Yackel, Associate Chaplain for Christian and Interfaith Life, with questions or to learn more!
Catholic Student Association: Student Organization
The Carleton Catholic Student Association exists to bring together the Catholic students of Carleton College to glorify God. Rooted in the timeless traditions of the Church, we foster a vibrant community that nurtures faith, deepens prayer, and shares the pursuit of holiness. Through interpersonal connection, prayerful meditation, and humble obedience we aim to help our membership grow ever-more Christian. We invite all students, whether seeking to deepen their relationship with God or explore the Catholic faith for the first time, to join us on this journey of grace.
Contact: Elsa Bell (belle2), Jackson Rankin (rankinj), Alexander Wasley (wasleya)
Mass at Carleton:
When: 7pm on the third Sunday of every month
Where: Christian Chapel
Who: Led by Fr. Justus Musinguzi
All members of the Carleton community are welcome
Masses at St. Dominic Church (Northfield):
When:
Saturday: 5:00 PM
Sunday: 8:00 AM, 10:00 AM, 12:00 PM (Spanish), and 5:00 PM
Who: Fr. Justus Musinguzi, fr.justus@churchofstdominic.org
Canterbury Club: Student Organization
The Canterbury Club is a community of students from Episcopal, Presbyterian, Lutheran, and many other Protestant and Christian traditions who come together to follow Christ in the midst of college life. We are grounded in the essentials of the Christian faith: the Scriptures as “containing all things necessary to salvation,” the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds as the sufficient statement of the Christian faith, the Sacraments of Baptism and Eucharist as signs of God’s grace, and the historic fellowship of the Church that unites Christians across time and tradition.
On campus, this means gathering for common prayer, worship, friendship, and honest conversation in the rhythms of student life. Our hope is to love God with heart, mind, soul, and strength. These foundations, cherished in the Anglican tradition, are not meant to divide but to draw us into deeper unity with one another in Christ, so “that we all may be one.”
Contact: Luke Poley, poleyl2@ • episcopal-students-association.group@carleton.edu
Northfield Support: All Saints Church | Rector: The Rev. Cody Maynus, cody@allsaintsnorthfield.org | Sunday Worship Service 10:30am
Fellowship in Christ (FC): Student Organization
The Carleton Fellowship in Christ or FC Community brings together believers and seekers from many different national, political, social, cultural, and denominational backgrounds and aims to learn together what it means to love God and love others with all of our heart, mind, soul, and strength. We celebrate and cherish differences as they allow us to learn and grow, and we come together through the ties created by the shared faith in God and His Son, Jesus, as our savior. As a community, we hope to provide an open and safe environment for everyone to share, explore, and grow their faith in Christ Jesus by building a deeper relationship with God and with each other.
Student Org Page: Fellowship in Christ (FC).
Instagram: @carletoncollege_fcCalendar: Add to yours here!
Instagram: @carletoncollege_fc
Calendar: Add to yours here!
Email List: Join here!
Mustard Seed: Student Organization
A student-led worship and music group that meets weekly on Sundays from 8:00-8:45 p.m, in the Christian Chapel. For more information, contact Michaela Lam (lamm2).
Global Medical Missions Alliance, Carleton Chapter: Student Organization
Our mission is to live out a Christ-centered missional life by awakening and mobilizing Christ-passionate people to join in God’s Kingdom work, primarily through medical missions, and to network with others who are already serving in mission fields. You do not have to be interested in medicine to join! “Arise, shine for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you” (Isaiah 60:1) “I have other sheep that are not of this sheep pen, I must bring them also. They too will listen to my voice, and there shall be one flock and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
Contacts: President – Jenny Lee (@leej3), Vice President – Jodie Chan (@chanj5)GMMA website: https://www.gmma7.org/about-gmma
Fellowship of Christian Athletes: Student Organization (On Hiatus)
Fellowship of Christian Athletes meets weekly to discuss various topics, and grow closer to God and each other in the process. Everyone (athlete or not) is welcome!
Faculty and Staff Christian Fellowship: Community Resource Group
We are a group of faculty and staff united by our common experience that Jesus Christ provides intellectually and spiritually satisfying answers to life’s most important questions. We are available to students, faculty, and staff who might like to discuss such questions with us and meets monthly for camaraderie and event planning.
Members are faculty and staff from a variety of Christian denominations who hope to encourage philosophical diversity and dialogue, and who strive to lead and serve the college while remaining grounded in scripture and focused on salvation. Our group includes those who identify as Christians, allies that support the group’s mission, vision, and values, and those who identify as non-Christians but are interested in learning more about the Christian faith.
If you have questions, feel free to reach out to Tammy Metcalf (tmetcalf@) or Dann Hurlbert (dhurlbert@) or explore the Faculty and Staff Christian Fellowship website.
Friday Fireside Fellowship – Non-Carleton Program
What: Friday Fireside Fellowship: dinner & dessert followed by Bible study & discussion
When: Fridays at 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: David and Catherine Olson’s home at 217 Manitou St., pick up at 6:25 in front of Sayles.
Who: David and Catherine lead Bible study at St. Olaf College and at Carleton. They welcome you to their home where their cat, Charlie, will greet you!
For more information contact Catherine: 952-857-9857 or David: 952-857-9856. This ministry is affiliated with Prepare Ministries.
Please note that this is not a Chapel or Carleton program. We welcome and encourage ministries from beyond campus as they provide vital offerings for students. But because we do not run or supervise them, we cannot endorse them as reflections of our college or values.
Need a ride to church?
- Rides to Life21 Church, 9 a.m. in front of Sayles. Contact Agnes Boahen (boahena) for any questions about transportation.
- Rides to Emmaus Church, 9:45 a.m. in front of Sayles. Contact Norah Dillner (dillnern) to make sure the drivers know you’re coming.
- Rides to Northfield Community Church. Contact Jenny Lee (leej13) for any questions about transportation. Pick-up in front of Sayles at 10:05 am or you can walk to NCC for the service, which starts at 10:15. NCC Contact: Zach Simmons, zach@northfieldcc.org