Embrace your spiritual side through meditation or participate in one of the many religious groups and activities here at USC. Make a difference in the lives of others by volunteering for community service opportunities.
The USC Volunteer Center is dedicated to promoting volunteerism and service in the USC and greater Los Angeles communities. The Volunteer Center is a primarily student-run department within the Division of Student Affairs that offers exciting opportunities for students, alumni, faculty, and staff to get involved with the community. Also offers helpful links to major volunteer organizations.
Contact: 213 740-7012
Contact: (213) 740-7400
E-Mail: neighbor@usc.edu
The Andrus Volunteers Gerontology Center (AVGC) invites all interested faculty, staff and students to participate in volunteer activities.
Contact: 213 740-6060
Email: lbroder@usc.edu
Reverend Jim Burklo
(213) 740-6110
Rev. Jim Burklo is inviting all students, faculty and staff to attend any and all gatherings of the Silent Meditation and Prayer Group.
Wednesdays
Little Chapel of Silence (near Town and Gown)
Noon to 12:40 pm
All students and staff are invited to any and all gatherings of the Mindfulness Meditation group, starting 8/26. It begins with 30 minutes of silence, while sitting on the pews or on floor pillows. A written guide to mindfulness practice is available for newcomers. After the period of silence, there is 10 minutes of brief sharing among participants about their personal experiences of mindfulness meditation and/or prayer. Participants who wish may read the prayer slips written by visitors to The Little Chapel of Silence after the session, to include the sentiments of the writers in meditation. The group welcomes people of any or no religious affiliation. The group is committed to confidentiality about what is written on the prayer slips and what is shared among participants.
At the Center for Work & Family Life, faculty and staff can learn to meditate, one-on-one, with training and support from a Licensed Clinical Social Worker.
Contact: 213 821-0800
USC's Office of Religious Life offers several places for reflection and prayer.
The Fishbowl Chapel, multi-faith space
Located at the south end of the University Religious Center, it is open to students, faculty, and staff from 9 am—10 pm, Monday through Friday.
The Little Chapel of Silence
Located on the northwest corner of Town and Gown, just behind the SAS building, it is open to students, faculty, and staff from 6:30 am—10 pm, Monday through Friday.
The Reverend Thomas Kilgore, Jr. Chapel of the Cross
Located in the University Religious Center, it is open to students, faculty, and staff from 9 am—5 pm Monday through Friday.
SOULJOURN is a way for all USC students to discover and explore the remarkable spiritual treasures of Los Angeles, which has been documented as the city with the most religious diversity on Earth. Within just a few miles of our campus are places of worship representing all the great religions of the world, as well as spiritual centers unique to our area. Each week during the semester, we’ll visit a different temple, church, or mosque. All students are welcome to come along on any or all of these visits. To reserve places on these trips, email Rev. Jim Burklo, Associate Dean of Religious Life, and indicate which “Souljourns” you want to take.
Sunday, August 30: LAKE SHRINE (Self Realization Fellowship - Hindu/Interfaith) - www.lakeshrine.org - 17190 Sunset Blvd, Pacific Palisades - meet at URC 106 at 10:15AM for 11:00AM worship service followed by a tour of the grounds
Thursday, September 3: IFTAR meal - (Muslim breaking of daily fast during Ramadan) - 7:30PM - Parkside Apartments on campus with Muslim Student Union
Friday, September 4: PEACE AWARENESS LABYRINTH (Interfaith) - www.peacelabyrinth.org - 3500 West Adams Boulevard - Meet at URC 106 at 11:00AM to carpool - return by 1:30PM (lunch served - $7)
Sun Sept 13: GREEK ORTHODOX - St Sophia Cathedral, 1324 S. Normandie (n of Hwy 10) - meet at URC 106 at 9:15 to go to10 am liturgy followed by GREEK FEST - 12 noon- aft - ($5 fee) - huge party.
Friday, Sept 18: SPIRITUAL ART - at Fisher Gallery on campus, 5-7 pm with food, music, interactive tours, art-making - display of works by spiritual artist Victor Rafael.
Sun, Sept 27: HOLMAN METHODIST CHURCH (Historically black Protestant) - 3320 W. Adams - Meet at URC 106 at 10:30 for 11 am worship - return by 1 pm
Sat Oct 3: SUKKOT (Jewish) - 7 pm at Chabad, 2713 Severance St. near Frat Row
Sun, Oct 11: WORLD PARLIAMENT OF RELIGIONS - Interfaith conference on non-violence in memory of the great Indian spiritual and social reformer, Gandhi - at Taper Hall on campus, 2-5 pm, with 6 pm Indian music concert
Sat, Oct 17: DIWALI - Hindu celebration on campus - time/place TBA.
Fri-Sun, Oct 16-18: INTERFAITH RETREAT for USC students - contact Rev. Jim Burklo, for details
Sun, Oct 25: INTERFAITH WORSHIP CELEBRATION (Parents’ Weekend) - 10 am at United University Church on campus
Sun, Nov 1: DIA DE LOS MUERTOS (Mexican Catholic Christian) - Catholic mass and tour of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels - (Mexican Day of the Dead altar display in the cathedral)- meet at 9:30 at URC 106 to carpool to10 am mass, then to lunch at Olvera Street (Mexican food) - bring $ for lunch
Sun Nov 8: SIKH GURDWARA, 1966 N. Vermont. Meet at 10:30 at URC 106 to carpool to 11 am service - free meal included (bring a few dollars for donation).
Fri-Sun, Nov 13-15: MUSLIM/JEWISH “Twinning” events on/near campus - details to be announced - opportunities for all students to learn about Islam and Judaism and the relationship between the two faiths.
Sun, Nov 22: MANANTIAL DE AMOR (Hispanic Charismatic Baptist) - 2120 Estrella Ave - meet at URC 106 at 11:15 to go to 11:30 am worship
Fri, Dec 4: LA POSADA Mexican Christmas procession (led by El Centro Chicano), 6 pm, United University Church on campus
What Matters to Me and Why is a lecture series held by the Office of Religious Life that encourages students, faculty, and staff to reflect about values, beliefs, and motivations by having influential leaders of USC speak of their personal experiences.
Contact: 213 740-6110
Submit questions or comments online to the USC Dean of Religious Life.
The Interfaith Council is a group of 24 students who are chosen (by their peers) to represent the many traditions of spiritual belief and practice that have groups functioning at USC.
Contact: (213) 740-3527
Search for Wellness info with the USC Libraries with this invaluable guide. (PDF)
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