Religious life at TCU is vibrant and one that is supportive for students of all faith traditions. To encourage communication and understanding among all religious groups, the Office of Religious and Spiritual life sponsors several interfaith initiatives. The TCU Interfaith Initiative gathers students to celebrate individual beliefs, to learn about one another, and to work together to change the world. The goal of this initiative is to foster positive and cooperative interaction between people of different religions, faiths, or spiritual beliefs, with the aim of promoting understanding between different religions to create a welcoming space for all.
Religious Advisory Council: The Religious Advisory Council, better known on campus as “RAC,” is composed of students across religious traditions
represented on campus. The goal of this council is to assist TCU at large in supporting all religious needs, including the observance of Holy days and rituals. By working together, the council also builds relationships among our many faith traditions on campus and helps educate the TCU community about those faith traditions. By interacting with peers, the council also addresses the religious, spiritual, or faith-based concerns that students might have on a regular basis. This council members serve as the hosts for Know Your Neighbor Nights, the Interfaith Panel, Service Project, and Prayer ceremony each academic year. Our current council represents the following faith traditions: Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Catholic, Orthodox, Methodist, Disciples of Christ, Baptist, and Agnostic.
Know Your Neighbor Night: Three times each semester, the Religious and Spiritual Life office along with the Religious Advisory Council invites students to our Know Your Neighbor Night, also known as “KYNN” on campus. This is an interfaith event, where students from various backgrounds come together to share a meal, and seek to grow in our understanding and respect for one another’s faith. The evening meal and conversation are guided by RSL staff chaplains, to ensure a safe and supportive learning environment.

Day of Service: In the Spring semester, RSL hosts and interfaith service project in collaboration with the Southside Community Garden (https://www.southsidefw.org/). TCU students from various faith traditions come together on a Saturday to spend the day giving back to the TCU community and building gardens for the people of the South Side, the poorest zip code in the state of Texas. Several students have been so moved by the experience, and made such wonderful connections, they continue to serve this community on their own time throughout the year.

Interfaith Prayer and Cording Ceremony: At the conclusion of every academic year, the Religious Advisory Council is honored with a celebration over their work together on our campus. The council works together to create a service where all are welcome, and no matter one’s religious tradition, participants can feel supported and affirmed in their faith. The service ends with the graduating seniors of the council are given graduation cords symbolizing their work throughout the time at TCU focused on interfaith initiatives. A reception is to follow to celebrate what we all have in common, the many faith traditions that are among us, and the importance of respect, understanding, and acceptance.
For more information on the Religious Advisory Council and/or TCU’s Interfaith Initiative, please email Rev. Lea McCracken at lea.mccracken@tcu.edu
Our office also offers the following:
Advent and Lenten Devotionals: Written by members of the TCU community, these seasonal devotionals address topics relevant to campus life. To sign up to receive these devotionals please email faith@tcu.edu. To see past devotionals check out the devotionals page.
Chapel Worship: Mixing both traditional and contemporary styles, chapel worship exists to unite Christians across campus during special times of the academic and religious year. While worship reflects the rich history of the university’s Disciples and Protestant background, it is intentionally inclusive and open to everyone.
Community Building Circle: In this workshop we will share personal perspectives and stories to foster connection, empathy and belonging in order to ultimately building a closer community.