<p>Does anyone know about Christian fellowship at the Seven Sisters (particularly Mount Holyoke, Barnard, Wellesley, and Bryn Mawr)? I'm interested in those four, but I'd like to go to a college that does have a strong Christian base--not mostly Christians, I mean, but not just a couple stragglers, you know. Because I want to go to a college with a good Christian fellowship, but I'm slightly worried...the college I'm taking classes at right now has a Christian fellowship, but there's a lot of anti-gay, overly-religious-I-don't-think-you're-even-Christian-anymore action going on. It seems at most colleges there's only those two extremes. SO if anyone has any experience, mind letting me know? Thanks loves.</p>
<p>My sense about MHC is that the community is very supportive of all religions, philosophies, etc… but that it’s also very liberal and open-minded in general. Although I don’t know how large it is, there is a Christian felowship (<a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/mhcf/index.html”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/mhcf/index.html</a>). I have a hard time believing that anyone with the attitude you describe above (anti-gay, intolerant) would even contemplate applying to MHC since the student body is pretty clearly the antithesis of that. Here’s another list of religious groups at MHC <a href=“https://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/index.html?Type=Religious+Organizations”>https://www.mtholyoke.edu/org/index.html?Type=Religious+Organizations</a>.</p>
<p>Perhaps you could contact the fellowship directly and ask them questions to figure out if it’s a strong enough presence for you? Also, if this is a prime concern, when you visit schools, take the extra time to seek these groups out and see how it feels to you.</p>
<p>I agree about MHC (though my experience there was 20 years ago, so take it for what it’s worth). The atmosphere was open to a variety of religous options, and I don’t remember anti-religious sentiment. I became a Christian while a student at MHC.</p>
<p>Also, I don’t know if you’re looking for a particular denomination, but there are Episcopal and Congregational churches right next to the campus.</p>
<p>One thing to add - I think the MHC attitude stems from its founding under Mary Lyon. While she did not found the seminary as a religiously-affiliated institution, it was informed and influenced by early American Christianity. There is no longer compulsory chapel and women of every religion (or none) are welcome and thrive, but Mary Lyon’s original spirit of service and making the world a better place definitely remain (as well as some wonderful chapel events like Christmas Vespers).</p>
<p>(Sorry for the history lesson - I’m a historian, so I can’t help it! 
)</p>
<p>Thank you so much @Quotia! And haha–I like history quite a lot too :)</p>
<p>Just for completeness, I’ll mention Smith. The Smith student body is fairly non-religious in general, but is tolerant and accepting of the various religious traditions on campus. It has a small but active Christian fellowship along with a variety of other religious and spiritual groups. It’s definitely not a place with anti-gay sentiment. My daughter has known several students planning to become ministers, and at least one is already at or headed to a seminary. The school has a large multifaith chapel and there are a number of churches next to or near campus (all the ones I’ve seen have had either a ‘welcoming congregation’ sign or a rainbow banner). The Smith center for religious and spiritual life sponsors a variety of programs and events throughout the year, including one of the most popular events on campus (Pet-a-Pet Day).</p>
<p>Thanks everyone! I appreciate your help! ^-^</p>
<p>here are some more details on religious life at Bryn Mawr–
<a href=“http://www.brynmawr.edu/pensby/religion/christian.html”>http://www.brynmawr.edu/pensby/religion/christian.html</a></p>
<p>I knew people from a spectrum of faiths–Christians, Buddhists, Catholics, Muslims, Hindus, Mormons, etc. Religious life can definitely be part of your experience, but it doesn’t have to be the only facet. There are a lot of resources on and off campus, not to mention a lot of churches in the greater Bryn Mawr area, plus Philadelphia. Although I participated in Jewish events on campus, I also attended cross-collegiate events in the city with other area colleges.</p>
<p>englishivy, just to be clear, Catholics aren’t different from Christians, they ARE Christians. Just a pet peeve of mine.</p>
<p>There are a variety of Christian student organizations at Wellesley:</p>
<p><a href=“Religious Life | Wellesley College”>http://www.wellesley.edu/studentlife/campus/clubs/religious</a></p>
<p>I think that you would find that the atmosphere is pretty much the same as MHC in that regard: open and welcoming to everyone. And similarly, it is very difficult to imagine that the kind of extremely intolerant person you describe would apply to Wellesley or any of the Seven Sisters these days.</p>
<p>When I was there, there were students of many religions, and plenty of involved Christians. The required religion course had already been dropped, thankfully. But since that was 39 years ago, the web site is probably your best source of info. :)</p>
<p>Wellesley has structured institutional support for students of various faiths:
<a href=“Religious Life | Wellesley College”>http://www.wellesley.edu/religiouslife</a></p>
<p>There is a Protestant chaplaincy that meets Wed. nights and some students of Reform tradition go to the Congregational Church in Wellesley (easy walking distance). There is not a big fundamentalist or “bible church” presence at Wellesley; the Protestant chaplaincy is relatively liberal (think Presbyterian/Methodist/Episcopal).</p>
<p>My daughter is looking into it as well. With Barnard being so close and integrated with Columbia and Bryn Mawr and Haverford ties then perhaps there are Christian organizations on those campuses which can also be considered? </p>
<p>There are a lot of Christian organizations on Columbia/Barnard’s campuses; I used to pass them handing out flyers, and the Christian fellowship used to hold worship in St. Paul’s chapel on campus Wednesday or Thursday nights (they would leave the doors open and you could hear the music).</p>
<p>There are about 15-20 different Christian organizations on Columbia’s and Barnard’s campuses, and Barnard students can join anything on Columbia’s campus.</p>
<p>Don’t forget that incoming new students can dramatically impact a campus culture. If you’re seeking a certain vibe, you can help create it.</p>
<p>Most Women’s Colleges and LAC’s have a good network of more liberal/open and accepting denominations and groups therein. And, if you are looking in the Northeast, most college towns have vibrant UCC and Episcopal churches right off campus, which are often attended and supported by faculty, staff, and students at the neighboring college.</p>
<p>Check out the websites for the colleges you are interested in, and review the list of campus organizations. If you don’t find what you are looking for, call the admissions office and ask to talk to an ass’t dean and ask that person. My guess is that all of the 7 Sisters have some sort of Christian community on campus, just because Christianity is the most common religion in this country. If the college you choose happens to not have exactly what you are looking for, then that’s a great opportunity for you to start an organization on campus. Doing so will bring you new friends of like mind, and, look great on a resume - you took the initiative and started a new student group on campus that fills a need that had not been met before you landed on campus. </p>
<p>So don’t just look to be a follower - also think of yourself as a leader. Barnard in particular encourages women to take initiative and leadership roles. Their partnership with Columbia opens up the connections you could make in a huge way. Their campuses are located amongst Christian churches of many denominations. Columbia has a Christian seminary and a Jewish seminary on campus, and being in NYC, that is a great opportunity for open dialogue and developing relationships amongst diverse religious populations.</p>
<p>Contact your admissions rep and ask for contact information for the various faith based groups/clubs. Talk to the current student leaders of those organizations. I can’t imagine anti-gay regilous group at MCH. But with 2,000 + students from around globe it is satatically posible. </p>
<p>I know Simmons isn’t on the list, but they do have some Christians, with an organization and you’re right next to Emmanuel College</p>
<p>Emmanuel is a Catholic college. Usually when someone speaks about being a ‘Christian’, they tend to mean fundamentalist or evangelical, even though Catholics are in fact Christians ( I mentioned this earlier in this thread)</p>
<p>Saint Mary’s College in Indiana is very Christian (it’s affiliated with Notre Dame), accepting of all denominations. </p>