Religious Life

Connect students with the work of local congregations
Local congregations sponsor Sunday School classes and other college programs, and occasionally they host lunches and dinners for students. We serve as a resource for connecting students to a congregational home while they are here at Centre.

Develop the moral and ethical conscience of students as socially responsible citizens
• CentrePeace, a group that works to educate the community on issues related to peace, human rights, social justice, immigration, war and peace, and capital punishment.
• “Religion, Human Rights, and Latin America” is a series that brings speakers annually from Colombia, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Nicaragua, or Honduras to share with us the realities of their situations.
• Poverty and Homelessness Week is an annual emphasis that includes workdays in Louisville shelters, education programs, a fast for hunger, and other ways to work on hunger relief.

Promote vital religious life and greater religious understanding on campus
Services are held for Advent and Lent and Special events such as a Passover Seder and an Eid al Fitr commemorating the end of Islam’s holy month of Ramadan; and an annual interfaith dialogue series featuring speakers from Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Jewish, Hindu, and Muslim traditions. CentreFaith is a student-led campus interfaith dialogue organization that sponsors discussions, films, and events from various religious traditions throughout the year. In addition, six student-led religious groups foster fellowship and special events. See Religious Fellowship below for a list of religious groups on campus.

Spiritual advising and vocational exploration
• Internships
• Seminary and Divinity school explorations

The Centre community offers a variety of groups that provide opportunities for prayer, study, discussion, inspiration and fellowship.

Baptist Campus Ministries (BCM)
Contact: Kelly Anne Webb
Steve Newton

Campus Life Ministry (CLM)
Contact: John Duff
Bruce Jones, advisor

Centre Christian Fellowship (CCF)
Contact: Dr. Steve Asmus

CentrePeace
Contact: Jason Crosby, advisor

Centre Union for Affirming Christians (CUFAC)
Contact: Jason Crosby, advisor

Jewish Student Organization (JSO)
Contact: 
Dr. Shana Sippy, advisor

Muslim Student Association
Contact:
Dr. Matthew Pierce, advisor

Meditation Centre
Contact: Dr. Aaron Godlaski

Newman Club
Contact: 
Dr. Christina Garcia, advisor

This is a brief rundown of some of the religious events, practices, and beliefs honored at Centre College.

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols
In many Christian traditions, Advent is a four-week period of expectant waiting for the coming of Christ, which western Christians celebrate on Christmas, December 25. During the four Sundays of Advent, readings from the prophets in the Hebrew Bible focus on the ancient hope for a Messiah. Many churches observe the season with an Advent Wreath with four candles that symbolize the light for which the world waits, highlighting themes like hope, faith, joy and love. Finally, on Christmas Eve, the Christ Candle is lit symbolizing the coming of light into the world.

Centre’s celebration of Advent is a “Festival of Lessons and Carols.” The hour-long service of readings and songs take place in the sanctuary of the Presbyterian Church near campus.

Ash Wednesday Mass
Ash Wednesday is the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. The Lenten season is a 40-day period (Quadragesima) of fasting, penance and reflection in preparation for Holy Week and Easter. On Ash Wednesday, many Christian traditions hold services that focus on repentance. Ashes are imposed on the foreheads of worshippers in the form of a cross. Imposing the ashes, the minister or priest says, “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” The solemn ritual is a reminder of human mortality and dependence upon God. It calls worshippers to renew their commitment to Christ.
During Lent, many Christians practice fasting or partial fasting in preparation for Holy Week, just as Moses, Elijah and Jesus were said to have fasted for 40 days in the wilderness. The season is a time to practice self-denial, to lay aside vices, and to dedicate oneself to acts of charity. Roman Catholic tradition includes abstaining from meat on Fridays during Lent as well as a strict fast on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.

Eid al-Fitr

The Feast of Breaking the Fast, is the Muslim religious holiday that celebrates the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting (sawm). The holiday marks the conclusion of a month of dawn-to-sunset fasting during which Muslims subordinate physical needs and worldly desires in order to purify themselves; to focus on God; and to cultivate the virtues of patience, discipline, steadfastness, humility and charity. Eid al-Fitr is a day of prayer and celebration during which Muslims seek mercy and forgive offenses that may have occurred during the previous year. Because Eid ends a period of disciplined fasting and reflection, Muslims awaken before sunrise, offer prayers, and enjoy small sweets for breakfast. Later, the day includes charitable donations toward those in need and large public gatherings for special Eid prayers (Eid salat), followed by celebratory family or community feasts and gift-giving (money, new clothes, candies and toys). In many countries, Eid is celebrated as a public holiday for up to three days. Eid highlights the unity of Muslims around the world and celebrates the renewed focus on what is considered of utmost importance. Please join in wishing Muslim members of our community ‘Eid Mubārak’—A Blessed Eid.

Holy Week
Holy Week in Christianity is the conclusion of the season of Lent and the final week before Easter. For Christians, this week is the most sacred time of the church year. The week includes the holidays of Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It is a time of fasting, prayer and remembrance of the events leading to the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Gospel passages read during the week recall events at the end of Jesus’ life and ministry.

Palm Sunday
Catholic and Protestant communities celebrate Palm Sunday, which marks the beginning of Holy Week. (Orthodox Christians observe Palm Sunday and Easter according to a different calendric cycle). Palm Sunday worship services recall the gospel story of Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem where he was acclaimed by crowds who placed palm branches on the ground before him as he rode a colt, an action interpreted as fulfilling prophecies related to the Davidic Messiah. The entrance into Jerusalem begins his journey to the cross. Palm Sunday services often include a blessing of palm leaves, a reading of the story of the Passion of Jesus (recalling his suffering and death), and processions in and out of the church with palm branches. Palm Sunday is a reminder for Christians to welcome Jesus into their lives and a time of recommitment to following him, no matter what the cost.

Maundy Thursday
Maundy Thursday commemorates the “Last Supper” at which Jesus celebrated the Passover with his twelve disciples and instituted the Eucharist that would commemorate his broken body and shed blood. Churches observe Maundy Thursday with celebration of the Eucharist. In some traditions, priests, ministers or deacons wash the feet of members of the community to recall the story of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples (John 13). This is a visible sign of the command to love one another and to serve others with selfless humility. After Maundy Thursday services, the altars of the church are stripped of cloths, candlesticks, and texts. Crosses or other religious symbols are removed or veiled in red, black, or violet.

Good Friday
Good Friday is the solemn day on which Christians recall the death of Jesus and its promise of hope and new life. In many traditions Good Friday is a day of fasting and penance. Some traditions emphasize veneration of the cross and meditations on suffering. Many churches set up a wooden cross and people spend time on their knees meditating before it, often at midday. Other people pray or walk the “Stations of the Cross” as a devotion that recalls the journey of Jesus on the Via Dolorosa (Way of Sorrows) in Jerusalem to Calvary where he was crucified. Christians meditate on the suffering of Jesus and the suffering of others.

Holy Saturday and Easter
Holy Saturday is a day of waiting, prayer and fasting. Symbolically, Christians wait at the tomb in which Jesus was buried, meditating on his Passion and Death and anticipating resurrection. Mass is not celebrated on Holy Saturday. Candles remain extinguished and altars remain bare. In Roman Catholic tradition, the lamp or candle denoting the Presence of Christ is put out, and remaining Eucharistic Hosts consecrated on Maundy Thursday are kept elsewhere. The traditional celebration of Easter then begins after sundown on Saturday, which is Easter Sunday, liturgically. The Easter Triduum signifies that in the darkness of Friday’s suffering and Saturday’s waiting, the church anticipates the coming of Sunday’s light.

Holi
In Hinduism, Holi marks the end of winter and celebrates the abundant colors of spring. In addition, it recalls key events in popular Hindu mythology. The principal narrative behind Holi is the Vaishnavite story of Hiranyakashipu, a demon king whose penance had made him almost invulnerable to death. This immunity led to excessive pride and the demand that people worship him rather than the gods. Hiranyakashipu’s own son, Prahlada, refused to cease his devotions to Vishnu so his father tried to kill him, but every method failed. Finally, Hiranyakashipu enlisted the help of his demon sister Holika, who was immune to death by fire. She carried Prahlada into the flames, but he prayed to Vishnu and survived, while Holika turned to ashes. This triumph of piety and goodness over pride and evil is celebrated during Holi. Although most Hindus celebrate the Festival for two days, Holi lasts for up to a week in some regions.

Diwali
The five-day festival of Diwali, or “The Festival of Lights,” is one of the most important festivals of the year for Hindus. It is also celebrated by Jains and Sikhs. Observed by over a billion people around the world, Diwali is an official holiday in India and ten other countries. The celebration highlights many of the great stories of Hindu tradition, principally the victorious return of Prince Rama and his wife Sita from exile and triumph over their adversaries. Traditional celebrations in Hindu homes include the lighting of oil-filled lamps or candles that welcome Rama and Sita and celebrate the triumph of good over evil. Depending on region and tradition, the holiday also symbolizes stories that celebrate the harvest and welcome prosperity.

Eid al-Adha
The Feast of Sacrifice, one of the two most important holidays in Islam. The Eid is especially significant because it marks the end of the annual Hajj or Pilgrimage to Mecca, celebrated in the final month of the (lunar) Islamic calendar. The annual Hajj is the fifth “pillar of Islam” and is an obligation for all Muslims at least once in their lifetime if they are able. Eid al-Adha is the climax of the Hajj at sundown on the 12th day of the 12th month.

The holy day commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his firstborn son Ishmael in faithful obedience to God’s command. In the version of the story found in Sura 37 of the Qur’an, God then mercifully provides a ram as an alternative and Ibrahim sacrifices the ram instead of his son. Because of this, it is customary on this holiday to sacrifice a goat, sheep or cow and to give a portion of the meat for sustenance of the poor.

Most Muslims, even if not on pilgrimage, celebrate this holiday over three days and two nights, offering special prayers at mosques. Eid al-Adha is a joyous and celebratory holiday that includes wearing new clothes, exchanging gifts, taking time off from school or work, and gathering with family for feasts of thanksgiving.

Hanukkah
Hanukkah, or the Festival of Lights, is an eight day festival in Judaism commemorating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE. Hanukkah celebrates religious freedom and deliverance from oppression.

The story of Hanukkah comes from the books of First and Second Maccabees, which were non-canonical additions to the Tanakh, or Hebrew Bible.

Hanukkah customs include eating latkes (potato pancakes), sufganiyot (donuts), or other foods baked in oil; playing games of chance with a spinning top called a dreidel; and giving gelt (monetary or chocolate coins) and other gifts.

High Holy Days
Jewish members of our community enter the High Holy Days or “Days of Awe,” the most solemn days of the Jewish calendar beginning with Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, and conclude ten days later with Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. Yom Kippur is a day of fasting, gathering at synagogue or temple, and prayers that continue throughout the day. At the end of Yom Kippur, the shofar is blown to indicate that the High Holy Days are concluded and forgiveness is granted.
[For our Jewish students who make a request to the Associate Dean related to religious observance, Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur are considered an excused absence].

Mormon Pioneer Day
In the Mormon community, July 24 is Pioneer Day. This remembrance recognizes the entry of Brigham Young and other pioneers of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (LDS) into the Salt Lake Valley for the first time on July 24, 1847. It was a turbulent time for the community, following the assassination of Joseph Smith and the subsequent expulsion of Mormons from Nauvoo, Illinois. Prompted by religious persecution, the demanding trek across the Great Plains, through the Wasatch Range, and into the arid Salt Lake Valley is a defining narrative of Mormon identity.

Passover
Passover (Pesach), or the Feast of Unleavened Bread, celebrates the liberation of the children of Israel from slavery in Egypt. The biblical story recounts God’s deliverance of the Israelites after ten plagues were inflicted upon the Egyptians. Only after the tenth plague, the death of the firstborn children of Egypt, did Pharaoh release his slaves. According to the story, Israelites marked their doorposts with the blood of a lamb and God guarded those homes so that death would pass over them. Then they fled in such a hurry that there was not enough time for dough to rise. Hence, Jews ceremonially remove all leaven (chametz), including crumbs which must be swept from the house, and do not eat leavened bread during Passover. Matzah (unleavened flatbread) is one of the symbols of the holiday, also reminding Jews of what it was like to be slaves who ate the bread of poverty.

Passover is a time of remembering. The history of suffering and deliverance it recalls also inspires the hope that slaves can be liberated, that justice is possible, and that freedom is to be cherished. As such, Passover motivates action that seeks deliverance for all who are enslaved and afflicted by “pharaohs” of every age. Passover is a reminder that the future can be better.

The Labyrinth: Prayer in Motion
Centre College and the Presbyterian Church share a labyrinth at the corner of Walnut and College Streets in the park adjacent to the Presbyterian Church.

A labyrinth is a large circle with a single path that winds back and forth moving alternately toward and away from the center, covering every quadrant, leading ultimately to a central prayer circle. The labyrinth is a metaphor for our spiritual journey. To walk the labyrinth is to make a pilgrimage and to be present to and with God, ourselves, and others. It allows us to bring our whole being into the experience, worshipping with our bodies as well as our hearts and minds.

Our labyrinth is modeled after one set into the floor of Chartres Cathedral in Frances (built between 1194 and 1220 CE). It offered a safe alternative to the practice of pilgrimage to the Holy Land to those for whom such travel was dangerous or impossible. Today, the spiritual practice of walking the labyrinth is being revived all over the world.

Locations and contact information for local congregations

Danville Area Congregations 

African Methodist Episcopal 
St. James A.M.E. Church 
124 East Walnut Street
(859) 236-3241
Rev. Ralph Smith, Pastor 

Assemblies of God 
Cornerstone Assemblies of God 
2035 Old Lexington Road
(859) 236-9058
Rev. Tom Lane, Pastor
cagchurch.net 

Baptist 
Calvary Baptist Church 
401 Waveland Avenue
(859) 236-5350
Brent Rowe, Sr. Pastor
calvarydanville.com 

First Baptist Church (SBC)
1570 North Danville By-Pass
(859) 236-2276
Dr. J. Timothy Mathis, Pastor
fbcdanville.org 

First Baptist Church (NBC)
200 West Walnut
(859) 236-4615
Dr. Derrick Briscoe, Sr. Pastor 

Gethsemane Baptist Church
123 Quisenberry Avenue
(859) 236-2581
Kyle Stachewicz, Pastor
danvillegbc.com

Lexington Avenue Baptist Church
339 W. Lexington Avenue
(859) 236-3565
Basil Hall, Pastor
lexingtonavenuebaptistchurch.org

Catholic
Saints Peter and Paul Catholic Church
117 East Main St.
(859) 236-2111
Fr. Anthony McLaughlin
ssppdanville.org

Christian
First Christian Church
555 East Lexington Avenue
(859) 236-4006
Rev. Joseph "Joey" Pusateri, Pastor
fccdanville.com

Indian Hills Christian Church
1200 Lexington Road (859) 236-7575
Jim Cooper, Pastor
ihccdanville.org

Open Table Christian Church
117 Larrimore Lane
Danville, KY 40422
(West T. Hill Community Theater)
www.opentablecc.org
Pastor: Rev. Joey Pusateri

Southside Christian Church
1950 Danville Road, Harrodsburg
(859) 734-6927
Rev. Seth Widner, Pastor
sccky.org

Second Street Christian Church
228 South Second Street (859) 236-6564
Rev. Dale Smith, Pastor

Church of Christ
Danville Church of Christ
385 East Lexington
(859) 236-4204
B.J. Sipe, Pastor
danvillekychurchofchrist.com

West End Church of Christ
3040 Perryville Road (859) 236-9575
Rev. Rob Kernodle

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
Church of Jesus Christ of LDS
110 Waterworks Road. Rev. Danny Phillips, Pastor
churchofjesuschrist.org

Church of God
Alum Springs First Church of God
3758 Alum Springs Road
(859) 236-4859

Danville Church of God
516 South Fourth Street
(859) 236-4018
Rev. Bryan Montgomery, Pastor
danvillecog.org

First Church of God
3220 Harrodsburg Road (859) 236-4700
Rev. Kevin Cummins, Pastor
danvillefirstchurchofgod.com

Episcopal
Trinity Episcopal Church
320 W. Main Street (859) 236-3374 Rev. Amy Meaux
trinitydanville.org

Jehovah’s Witnesses
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
104 Breathitt Avenue
Kevin Adams, Congregational Overseer (859) 854-5000

Jewish
Ohavay Zion Synagogue (Conservative) 2048 Edgewater Court, Lexington
(859) 266-8050
Rabbi Rachel Sabath Beit Halachmi
ozs.org

Temple Adath Israel (Reform) 124 N. Ashland, Lexington (859) 269-2979
Rabbi David Wirtschafter
lextai.org

U.K. Jewish Student Organization/Hillel Fellowship
Karen Petrone
Usually meets every other Friday
UK Hillel, PO Box 613, University Station University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40506

Lutheran
Our Savior Lutheran Church
285 Hill-N-Dale Drive
(859) 379-9262
Justin Mason, Pastor oursaviorlutherandanville.com

Methodist
Centenary United Methodist Church
John Duff, Associate Pastor 1441 Perryville Road
(859) 236-4800
Chris Morgan, Sr Pastor John Duff, Associate Pastor
danvillecumc.org

Missionary
Christ the Head Missionary Church
Orlando Mays, Pastor 845 East Main Street.
(859) 936-7300

Non-Denomination

Centerpoint
201 Main Street (The Warehouse)
Jason Kilby, Lead Pastor
centerpointdanville.com

Southland Christian Church
Danville Campus
1001 Ben Ali Drive, Suite 2
(859) 224-1600
Brian Lucas, Campus Leader
southland.church

Vision Worship Center
704 Holladay Dr / P.O. Box 1811
(859) 209-4184
Melinda Weathers, Lead Pastor

Presbyterian
Grace Presbyterian Church (PCA)
180 Bold Venture
(859) 236-9137
Shane Terrell, Sr. Pastor
gracedanville.org

The Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)
500 W. Main Street
(859) 236-6692
Caroline M. Kelly, Pastor
presbydan.org