Religion at Brown University Religion at Brown University Rita Michaelson '50, Chair Board of Religious Affairs Brown faculty members, standing in front of students in classrooms, labs or studios, must be aware of the wide diversity of color, ethnicity, even size and shape of the students before them. Therefore, it should be no surprise that 1,800 of these students are worshipping on campus at services including Catholic Mass, Muslim Prayers, Jewish Sabbath Services, Ecumenical Protestant Worship, Imani Jubilee Service, Buddhist Worship, the American Korean Presbyterian Church, and Zen Meditation, among others. Still other students are meeting in fellowship groups such as the Brown Christian Fellowship, the Campus Crusade, the Southern Baptist Campus Ministry or the Word of Faith Ministries. Hindu and Mormon groups meet weekly. Interfaith Supper and Discussion takes place at the home of University Chaplain Janet Cooper-Nelson and special celebrations and memorials are held as appropriate.
Pastoral counseling is the work of all the chaplains.
Religious life is alive and well at Brown as the Office of the Chaplains and Religious Life seeks to respect, serve, and welcome the many beliefs within the Brown community. As chair of the Board of Religious Affairs over the past four years, it has been my honor and privilege to work with the Board as liaison to the President and in close partnership with the Chaplaincy. Board members are Deans Perry Ashley and Robin Rose, Professors Gregory Elliott and Patricia Herlihy, Rabbi Leslie Gutterman and The Rev. Beverley Edwards, and Trustee Harold Bailey. Our student members have graduated and will be replaced. Other members of the Corporation and administrative staff as well as students have served on various oversight committees.