Founded through a merger of two Methodist institutions, Birmingham-Southern College’s religious roots run deep. Still affiliated with the United Methodist Church, BSC remains steeped in that denomination’s tradition of demonstrating faith through service, and provides a place where students who feel called to ministry can discern that call and determine the path forward.

BSC also remains committed to being a place where students of various religions – and those of no religion at all – wrestle with questions of purpose in a climate that is open, welcoming, and diverse.

The Rev. Julie Blackwelder Holly ’01, an ordained United Methodist minister, serves as Chaplain, overseeing the Office of Religious Life and its calendar of programs and services. “We work with small groups for six different Christian denominations, the Muslim Student Association, and the Hillel Jewish Student Association to create programming that encourages students from all walks of life to learn from each other and make meaningful connections through conversation and community service,” Holly says.

The staff holds a weekly worship gathering in Yeilding Chapel, reaches out to athletics teams, organizes and supports service activities, brings in interdenominational and interfaith speakers, and welcomes visits by campus ministry teams from a range of faith traditions. On Thursday, September 29, the office will host its annual dinner for admission representatives from graduate seminaries and divinity schools.

The office also holds social gatherings that are open to all students, and which almost always include food – including a now-legendary treat known as Smooshie Pie, a combination of chocolate chip cookie dough and fun-size Milky Way bars. Wednesdays in the office at Norton Campus Center often feature visits from the staff’s dogs.

“We try to provide opportunities for students to recognize the commonalities that they share with people of different faiths and denominations,” Holly explains. “We see so much division in the world, and people focusing on the divisions and the differences among us, that we think it’s very important for us to see how we can cooperate and collaborate. We want to help students find their purpose in doing good in the world.”