Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Texas Tech
Share a story
We are an outreach ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Northwest Texas and a student organization at Texas Tech University. We are made up of a small, but diverse, group of students who seek to live our faith in an inclusive and open-minded way.
Our Core Values:
Inclusive
We are an open-minded and inclusive community that honors every individual and empowers each other to be our true selves. We are an LGBTQIA+ affirming ministry, and we seek to welcome all people. No exceptions. Find us on https://www.gaychurch.org/.
Open-Minded
We have a high tolerance for the exchange and exploration of ideas. Anglican and Episcopal identity hinge not on our doctrinal conformity but on our willingness to meet God together in worship. Thus respect for individual conscience and evolving processes of collective discernment are key to our formation.
Relational
We are formed by our relationships with God, with one another, with all of God's creation, and with ourselves. These relationships are built on a foundation of honesty, vulnerability, accountability, respect, safety, and courage. In all our actions and discussions, we promise to respect the dignity of each other.
Spiritual
We are called to be disciples, and as disciples, we are called to the process of spiritual formation. This means that we faithfully pray, read the Bible, study, and worship together, with the goal of growing closer to God. As we grow closer to God, we believe that we grow closer to our neighbors, all of creation, and ourselves.
Biblical
We believe that the Bible is the record of God's revelation with humanity as well as an opportunity to encounter the living God. We believe that the Bible is respected most when the Bible is understood in light of its historical, literary, and rhetorical contexts. Because of this, we do not advocate for a literal interpretation of scripture, but we use history, reason, and prayer to help guide us in the interpretation of the texts.
Sacramental
We live our lives in perpetual worship, connecting with the Mystery of God through the richness of our Episcopal identity. In the Episcopal Church, we recognize the sacraments as “outward and visible signs of inward and spiritual grace.” As such, sacramental life is core to our identity, as we celebrate the Eucharist every week and as we observe six other sacraments throughout the year. These sacraments include baptism, confirmation, reconciliation of a penitent, matrimony, and unction. The final sacrament, the sacrament of orders, is not observed at Canterbury, but Canterbury can be a starting place to help students begin the process of discerning whether holy orders is right for them.
Worship times
Volunteer opportunities
The students at Canterbury have many opportunities to become leaders within our community, including a paid internship. Each year the students also raise money for a retreat or pilgrimage. For instance: In 2024, the students traveled to the American South for a civil rights pilgrimage. In 2014, the students and their former Chaplain, the Rev. Pat Russell, traveled to the Taize' Community in France, to bring the students to a richer understanding of spirituality. In the spring of 2016, the students traveled to Canterbury, England on the "Canterbury to Canterbury" mission. The Canterbury community is active and vibrant, with many ways to participate and get involved!
Ministries
We Aren't Strangers
Join us on Thursdays night at 6pm for a meal and for a safe place to find community and belonging. It will be a time for connection, belonging, sharing our stories, expressing our emotions, and the great thing about this event will be that it is open to all people. This is a space where all people can be fed physically, emotionally, and spiritually while at the same time honoring everyone’s faith traditions and gifts and light that we all bring to this community. And we promise that we will not try to convert you or change you. That is not the way we do things here. All we want to do is to know you, love you, and support you as a student here at Texas Tech. Our conversation will be participant lead and all people who attend have a space to teach us about their gifts, interests, passions, faith, philosophy, life, and journey. Come a join us! We meet at Canterbury House at 2407 16th Street, just one block from campus.
The Journey: Exploring Spirituality, Theology, Ethics, and Mission
The Canterbury group is all about exploring, experimenting, and asking questions of our faith, theology, spirituality, ethics, and the mission of the church. To find out more about this unique student-directed study, read more below:
What are we studying? We are studying our Episcopal faith, including topics such as what we believe, prayer, spiritual practice, our baptismal faith, and much more.
Who is invited? All people are invited. This study is not limited to people of faith. No matter where you are on your journey - whether you believe a little, alot, or not - you are accepted here. With that said, people who would like to be baptized or confirmed must attend this class.
How do you prepare? Each week, members of the group are encouraged to bring their questions, concerns and insights about their faith.
When do we meet? We meet from 4:30pm-5:30pm on Sundays.
Where do we meet? We meet at Canterbury House at 2407 16th Street, just one block from campus.
Free Lunches on Wednesdays
Come by Canterbury between 12pm and 2pm for a simple and quick homemade lunch. The meals will be made to eat at Canterbury or to go.
When: Every Wednesday
Where do we meet? Our address is 2407 16th Street. We are located just one block east of campus. Ring the bell at the front door for entry.
Annual Canterbury Retreat
Canterbury uses our fundraising money to take trips throughout the United States and even throughout the world. In April 2024, Canterbury went to the American South (Tennesse, Alabama, etc.) for a Civil Rights Pilgrimage. In May 2023, Canterbury went to the San Antonio area and we focused on finding God in ourselves through spiritual practice. In August 2022, Canterbury went on a spirituality and nature retreat in Durango, Colorado. We spent a week hiking, swimming, and visiting some of the most beautiful places in southern Colorado. In 2020, Canterbury planned to travel to Tennessee for a retreat, but our plans were foiled by COVID-19. In 2021, Canterbury traveled to Palo Duro Canyon. In 2019, Canterbury traveled to the Carlsbad Caverns. In 2016, Canterbury went to Canterbury, England to explore the rich Anglican heritage of the Episcopal Church. Prior to that, Canterbury went to Taize, France in order to encounter the vast spiritual landscape of the monastery at Taize.
News about Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministries at Texas Tech
Share a story
2407 16th Street
Lubbock, TX 79401
United States
