How to maintain or connect with religion at Guelph
Duncan Day-Myron

For many students venturing to the University of Guelph for the first time, the question of how to access religion in a new city on such a big campus may be on their minds.

Fortunately, there are many resources available to students with regards to faith and religion.

Perhaps the most encompassing organization on campus in this are is the Multi Faith Resource Team (MFRT). The MFRT are located on the west side of Gordon St in McNally House, easily recognized by the large accessibility ramp.

“The MFRT is a team on campus which seeks to promote tolerance respect and education between faith traditions,” said Margot Feyerer, Ecumenical Campus Minister and member of the MFRT.  “What we attempt to do is sponsor and facilitate events on campus that will raise the profile of different faith traditions.”

“We sponsor things like Peace Week in the fall and Faith Week in second term. We’ll bring in speakers on campus; we’ll have discussion panels, show films, group discussions. We do a variety of things as a team together,” continued Feyerer.

Peace Week is one of the Team’s events planned for the fall semester, taking place the week of Nov. 6.

“We do a worship tour where students can get on a bus and go to a Hindu temple or a mosque, go and see what it’s like to stand in somebody else’s shoes,” said Feyerer of the event.

The Team is made up of members of a number of different faiths, including representatives from the Christian, Hindu, Muslim and Jewish faiths. Having representatives from multiple faiths helps broaden the scope of events held throughout the year.

“Each of the members of the team will host or sponsor events that are specific to that particular faith tradition,” said Feyerer.

This year is the MFRT’s 25th anniversary, and the Team plans on celebrating accordingly.

“For next year, we’re planning to celebrate our 25th anniversary as a MFRT on campus,” said Feyerer. “Students should look out for some of the events that we’ll be hosting next year.”

In addition to the many services offered by the MFRT, there are also many student run clubs on campus servicing religious students.

These student run clubs, operated by the Central Students Association (CSA), offer a vital service to students, providing a strong community to a variety of faiths through meetings, social gatherings and other events. Most CSA clubs have office space on the second floor of the UC, and operate during normal business hours throughout the week. A list with contact information for all of the CSA’s religious clubs follow the article.

Faith is just one aspect of the culturally diverse environment at U of G, but it is fairly well represented in the resources available to all students. If it has been a part of your life prior to coming to Guelph, it shouldn’t be hard to maintain, and for people looking to explore or develop an understanding of different faith traditions, the resources are available.

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