Protestant

FAQs

  • What is the population of Protestant students at Wesleyan?
    • As of the beginning of the academic year 2010-11, of the 2,991 undergraduate students attending Wesleyan, 300 are self identified Protestants, which represents thirty-three percent of the five major religions on campus [Buddhism (45), Christianity (475; Catholic 175; Protestant 300), Hinduism (19), Islam (34) and Judaism (333)] and twenty-five percent of all religions. (Source—students self identified upon admissions.)
  • What does Protestant mean?
    • There are various thoughts regarding the meaning of Protestant. A simplified definition of Protestant is—a member or follower of any of several denominations or nondenominational churches not adherent to the Catholic or Orthodox Church that affirm the Reformation doctrines of justification by faith and not through works, the priesthood of all believers, and the primacy of the Bible as the ultimate source in matters of faith and order. Some of the Protestant denominations represented at Wesleyan as identified by students include, Baptist, Church of Christ, Congregational, Episcopalian, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Nondenominational.
  • When are the Protestant Worship services?
    • All-Campus Contemporary Christian Worship is held Sundays at 2PM, in Memorial Chapel (Please Note: Our schedule follows the academic calendar).
  • What can I expect, while attending the All-Campus Contemporary Christian Worship Service?
    • A welcoming and embracing community of casually dressed undergraduate and graduate students gathered together in Memorial Chapel for the celebration of the Word, prayer and music. Service begins at 2PM with praise and worship music led by our worship team accompanied by musicians playing drums, piano, guitar, and a team of vocalists, followed by a welcome and greeting, prayer, scripture readings and a biblically based enjoyable sermon relevant to student life. Sunday worship is a safe sacred place to experience an authentic transformational encounter with God.
  • What do students say about Sunday worship?

    • "It’s a great gathering of mostly students and you never know who is going to show up!"

      "It recharges me for a new week.” “Chapel worship is open minded and welcoming."

      "Praise and worship is inspiriting and the sermons relate to student life."

      "Convenient time and location."

      "I serve as a Chapel Minister because I want those who attend to have a deep encounter with God"

      "Chapel is a place where students can pray, worship and experience God together."

  • How do I become an active leader in the weekly worship services?
    • Because the Sunday worship services are student-led, student involvement is critical to the weekly services. Please e-mail Pastor Joan regarding your interest in becoming a Chapel Minister, a member of the Praise and Worship Team, Liturgical Dance Ministry, Reader, Greeter, and/or Musician.
  • What other Protestant campus ministries might I become involved?
    • Other ministries you might consider are community service projects and the Intervarsity Gulf Coast mission trip. There are many opportunities available through the Protestant student groups and the Protestant Chaplain. See Protestant Chaplain or student leader for more details or send an e-mail describing your interest.
  • Are there area churches I can attend?
    • Yes, there are several churches of diverse denominations in Middletown and the surrounding area. A list is provided for students at the beginning of the academic year and available in the Protestant Chaplain’s office. Some churches provide transportation.
  • Where is the Protestant Chaplain’s office?
    • 169 High Street, 2nd floor, room 205.
  • Does the Protestant Chaplain have regular office hours?
    • Pastor Joan is part-time and holds office hours on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11am-3pm and by appointment. Pastor Joan is accessible to the Wesleyan community; her cellular phone number is posted on the office door and included in her email signature. She is on campus Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays.
  • Does the Protestant Chaplain provide Christian Counseling?

    • The Protestant Chaplain is available to serve the pastoral needs of students, faculty and staff on-campus. Both Wesleyan students and employees have sought counseling for family, relationship, health, moral behavior, financial issues, stress management, vocational discernment, spiritual formation, crisis, grief and emotional support. Conversations with the chaplain are confidential and done with compassionate listening in a supporting and encouraging environment.*

      *If there is a clinical need, the chaplain refers students to the Office of Behavioral Health at 327 High Street (Davison Health Center). Faculty and staff in need of clinical counseling are referred to the Wesleyan Employee Assistance Program (EAP) provider, The Wellness Corporation, to see or speak with an EAP counselor.

  • What other services does the Protestant chaplain provide?
    • The Protestant chaplain performs pre-marital counseling and officiates weddings for students, faculty, staff and those outside the Wesleyan community (particularly if Memorial Chapel is the venue for the nuptials). She also teaches baptism classes and officiates baptisms and baby dedications within the Wesleyan community.
  • Does the Protestant Chaplain perform weddings?
    • Yes, the Protestant Chaplain performs pre-marital counseling and officiates weddings for students, faculty, staff and those outside the Wesleyan Community (particularly if Memorial Chapel is the venue for the nuptials). Please contact her via e-mail at jburnett@wesleyan.edu for additional information.