Purple Prep
Religious and Spiritual Life provides programs, staff, and spaces to help students explore meaning and purpose, grow in their religious or spiritual traditions, practice social justice, and create community. We welcome all people, regardless of religious, spiritual, or secular background. We are here for those who are seeking resources in a particular faith tradition, craving more depth in your daily life, or needing a caring presence in a difficult moment.
An important part of your college experience is tending to your holistic wellbeing: spiritual, physical, intellectual, relational, and emotional. Though we specialize in the spiritual, we are here to support you as a whole person with opportunities to connect, gather, and grow with one another and the Northwestern community.
Our primary spaces are in Parkes Hall—which is directly across from the Arch at Sheridan and Chicago Avenues. We have prayer, meditation and ritual spaces available for many different expressions and traditions as well as many spaces to hang out and get a cup of coffee or a snack!
We also work closely with our campus religious center partners including Canterbury House, Lutheran Campus Ministry, Hillel, the Sheil Catholic Center, University Christian Ministry, as well as many religiously affiliated student organizations.
Together, all of us are excited to meet you and help you connect to Northwestern in many ways. Here you will find some of the many ways that we welcome you to campus in the fall.
We can’t wait to see you soon!
Pre-Orientation Opportunities
Sheil Catholic Center
First Night: A Welcome Event for Catholic Students
First Night is a fun way to meet other Catholic students right before Wildcat Welcome Week. Join other incoming students (first-year and transfer students) on Sunday, September 10th from 2:00 to 8:30 p.m. at the Sheil Catholic Center, located at 2110 Sheridan Road in Evanston. This student-led event includes activities to get to know other students and the campus ministry team, Mass, dinner, and more!
Learn more and sign up:
https://sheilcatholiccenter.org/connect/new-students/
Northwestern Hillel
Details and RSVP for all events at https://engage.hillel.org/northwestern
If you’re looking to connect with Jewish students, you’ve come to the right place. Join us for…
Schmooze – Don’t miss out on our fantastic pre-orientation program that starts the day before Wildcat Welcome (Sunday 9/10), with activities all day long and a bonfire in our backyard at night. RSVP to grab your spot!
High Holidays
Northwestern Hillel offers Reform and Conservative services, free holiday meals, and other fun programming throughout the holidays. Services will be in Norris, meals will be at Hillel (629 Foster St). Please RSVP in advance.
Rosh Hashanah is Friday Sept 15 – Sunday Sept 17
Yom Kippur is Sunday Sept 24 – Monday Sept 25
Welcome Back BBQ
Our Back to School BBQ is not to be missed! Come by Hillel (629 Foster) on the first day of classes to see old friends and make new ones. Delicious kosher BBQ will be served 5:30-7:30pm on Tues Sept 19. Please RSVP.
Lutheran Campus Ministry at Northwestern University
https://www.facebook.com/NUlutheran/
Weekly LCMNU Events
Worship every Sunday, 11:00am
Supper Worship every Wednesday, 6:00–6:45pm
21theo every Wednesday, 7:00–8:00pm (a time to learn and question)
Special September Events:
17 Sunday: LCMNU Open House, 10:00–11:00am
19 Tuesday: Back to School BBQ 6:00–7:00pm
21 Thursday: Ice Cream and Game Night at 8:00–9:00pm
University Christian Ministry (United Methodist and Presbyterian)
1834 Chicago Ave. (next to Allison Residence Hall)
Casual Worship Sundays at 5pm
Beginning Sept. 24 (Kickoff BBQ to follow)
Religious & Spiritual Life Weekly Programs During the Academic Year
Special Welcome Events:
Meet and Greet RSL Staff at the Suite Spot!
Stop by to grab a cupcake and a coffee or tea and meet the RSL team.
Thursday, September 21, 3:30-5:00 PM in Parkes Hall Room 120
Reverse Baccalaureate: An interfaith blessing to start the academic year. Thursday, September 28, 6:30-7:30 pm in Alice Millar Chapel at Northwestern
All are welcome to join in this time with music, reflections, and offerings from Northwestern students.
Religious Services open to all based in various religious traditions during the academic year:
- Jummah Prayer, 1:10pm each Friday in Parkes Hall (Islam)
- Shabbat Services and Dinner with Northwestern Hillel (Judaism)
- Christian Worship:
- Lutheran Campus Ministry (Sunday at 11:00 am, Wednesday at 6:45 pm)
- University Christian Ministry (Sunday
- Mass with the Sheil Catholic Center each Sunday at 9:30 am, 11:30am and 5pm (Roman Catholic)
The Suite Spot, 3:30-4:30pm, each Thursday in Parkes Hall room 120 A chance to drop in and hang out with others for snacks, conversation, and community. No preparation required!
Drop In Meditation, 4pm each Friday in Parkes Hall—open to all and no experience required
Religious and Spiritual Life Offerings
Individual Appointments with Chaplains. Our University Chaplains are confidential resources who are trained to meet with students of any or no religious affiliation about a variety of issues. Topics might include exploring the big questions in life, choosing a major, questions about meaning and purpose, or grief and loss.
- Request an individual appointment with a University Chaplain.
- Chaplain Drop in Hours:
- Wednesday on the Chicago Campus
- Thursday and Friday on the Evanston Campus
Spiritual Direction: This is a guided program for those who are interested in a structured and formal exploration of Spiritual Practice.
Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Join the Alice Millar Chapel Choir! The Chapel Choir is a premiere collegiate choral ensemble that includes music majors and general campus students. Auditions are open to all Northwestern Students. The Chapel Choir offers vibrant and engaging rehearsals and performances with challenging music from many musical periods and styles, from Renaissance to Gospel, and Romantic to Contemporary. Rehearsals are Tuesdays and Thursdays from 4:10 to 5:40 p.m. If interested, please set up a time to audition with Stephen Alltop, Director of Music. Email: swa440@northwestern.edu
For more info: https://www.northwestern.edu/millarchapel/music/the-choir.html
Check out our 2023 Choir Information Video:
Special Events in Alice Millar Chapel
Reverse Baccalaureate: An Interfaith Blessing
Thursday, September 21 | 6:30-7:30 pm | Alice Millar Chapel
All students are welcome to join in this time with music, reflections, offerings and blessings shared by Northwestern students and RSL Staff.
Family Weekend Open House and Mini-Concert with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Sunday, October 22 | 10:30 am | Alice Millar Chapel
All are welcome to join the Alice Millar Chapel Choir for a special preview of their upcoming concert.
10:30 AM: Continental Breakfast Available and tours of Alice Millar Chapel
11:00 AM: Morning prayer blessing and concert preview with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
11:45 AM: Demonstration and tour of the 5,235 pipe Aeolian-Skinner organ
Concert with the choir of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris, France and the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Friday, October 27 | 7:30pm | Alice Millar Chapel
The Alice Millar Chapel choir will perform a concert with the choir of Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris France.
Friendsgiving Brunch for Students
Sunday, November 19 | 11am | Alice Millar Chapel
A Festival of Lessons and Carols with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Sunday, December 3 | 10:40 am | Alice Millar Chapel
Reverse Baccalaureate-An Interfaith Blessing
Thursday, January 18 | 6:30 pm | Alice Millar Chapel
The Alice Millar Birthday Concert with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Sunday, February 4 | 5:00 pm | Alice Millar Chapel
A Celebration of Black History Month
Saturday and Sunday, February 17 & February 18, 2024 | Alice Millar Chapel
Easter Sunday Festival Service with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Sunday, March 31 | 11:00 AM | Alice Millar Chapel
Spring Choir Concert with the Alice Millar Chapel Choir
Saturday, May 11 | 7:00 PM | Alice Millar Chapel