Religious and Spiritual Opportunities Off Campus

There are many opportunities for worship, prayer, meditation, and other practices in the local community. Many congregations and centers offer transportation to Elon students.

The following are communities which have expressed interest in the participation of Elon students, faculty, and staff. This information is presented in their own words without endorsement.

If you would like information about a tradition not listed, please contact the Truitt Center, 336.278.7729, and we will do our best to help you locate a congregation that you are comfortable with while at Elon.

Baha’i

Alamance County Baha’i Community

Alamance County Baha’i email

Baha’i Faith

3905 Lawndale Drive
Greensboro, NC 27455
800-228-6483

Baha’i Faith website

Baha’i Unity Center

212 Linden Avenue
Raleigh, NC 27601
919-546-0922

Baha’i Unity Center email
Baha’i Unity Center website

Durham Baha’i Center

5103 Revere Road
Durham, NC 27713
919-489-6690

Durham Baha’i Center website

For more information about the Baha’i faith: US Baha’i Site and Worldwide Baha’i Site

Buddhist

The North Carolina Zen Center

390 Ironwood Road
Pittsboro, NC  27312

The North Carolina Zen Center email
The North Carolina Zen Center website

The Brooks Branch Zendo of the North Carolina Zen Center exists as a place for the study and practice of Zen Buddhism, in order to nurture a community of practitioners in the realization of the awakened mind and heart. Whether you are a seasoned practitioner with years of experience or a beginner interested in taking the first steps toward a meditation practice, we welcome you.

Kadampa Center for the Practice of Tibetan Buddhism

5412 Etta Burke Court
Raleigh, NC  27606

Kadampa Center email
Kadampa Center website

Geshe Gelek Chodha, Resident Teacher

We are a spiritual community committed to transforming the minds and lives of individuals and societies into the highest ideals of enlightened wisdom, compassion, and skillful action through the study and practice of Tibetan Buddhism in the Gelugpa tradition in the lineage of His Holiness the Dalai Lama. The Kadampa Center is famous for its emphasis on deep understanding of Buddhist texts coupled with meditation practice. Under the guidance of our resident teacher, Geshe Gelek Chodha, we offer a full range of programs that cover all aspects of the Buddhist path. We host teachings by eminent Buddhist masters, offer courses for beginning and advanced students, and provide space for individual and group meditation. Here you will find the authentic teachings of the Buddha and a community supporting spiritual growth and practice. We are part of the Foundation for the Preservation of the Mahayana Tradition (FPMT.)

Thousand Buddha Temple

153 Wolfetrail Road
Greensboro, NC 27406
919-349-6892

Thousand Buddha Temple website

Shambhala Center

733 Rutherford Street
Durham, NC 27705
919-286-5508

Shambhala Center website

Won Buddhism Temple of North Carolina

8021 Old NC Highway 86
Chapel Hill, NC 27516
919-933-6946

Won Buddhism Temple of North Carolina website

Hindu

Triad Hindu Temple

2424 Huffine Mill Road
McLeansville, NC, 27301 (Northeast Greensboro, NC)
336-621-5848
Website: www.triadhindutemple.com

The center was founded in 1979 with a mission to serve the Hindu community and promote Hindu culture through religious, social and educational activities. Events like puja, bhajans, children’s program, celebration of festivals and community services are regularly scheduled. Includes a Hindu Society.

Sri Venkateswara Temple of North Carolina

121 Balaji Place (Use 121 Baliji Place in GPS & Mapquest, 9421 Chapel Hill Road)
Cary, NC 27513
919-468-0040
Website: www.svtemplenc.org

New Goloka Temple

1032 Dimmocks Mill Rd
Hillsborough, NC 27278
919-732-6492
Website: www.newgoloka.com

New Goloka Temple is a member of the International Society for Krishna Consciousness (ISKCON), whose Founder-Acharya is His Divine Grace A.C. Bhaktivedanta Swami Prabhupada. Their Lordships Sri Radha Golokananda, the presiding deities of New Goloka, were installed in August 1985. Spiritual activities carried out by the temple are for humanitarian welfare purposes.

Burlington Indian Association

336-693-6229
Burlington Indian Association on Facebook
Email: info.burlingtonia@gmail.com

This local Indian association hosts cultural and fundraising events, among other activities.

The Hindu Society of North Carolina

309 Aviation Parkway
Morrisville, NC 27560
919-599-9667

Jewish

Beth David Synagogue

804 Winview Drive
Greensboro, NC 27410

336-294-0007
bethdavidsynagogue.org

Rabbi Eliezer Havivi

Beth David Synagogue is an egalitarian and inclusive synagogue of the Conservative movement that brings an authentic and caring Jewish tradition to embrace and repair our world. We encourage members to grow in Jewish learning through study of Torah and in Jewish practice through mitzvot. We strive to build a welcoming and innovative Synagogue that engages our diverse members and that shares Jewish values with the general community.

The synagogue facility includes a sanctuary, chapel, kosher kitchen, mikveh, Judaica library, meeting rooms and a gift shop. Minyan is held at 5:45 p.m. Saturday through Thursday, and Thursday morning at 7 a.m. Shabbat Services are held at 6 p.m. on Friday and 9:30 a.m. on Saturday. College students are invited to High Holy Day services as our guests.  Beth David Synagogue works with Hillel to arrange home hospitality for students during holidays or Shabbatot that occur during the school session. For additional information on High Holy Day tickets or hospitality, please contact the synagogue office. See our Web site (linked above) for listing of all synagogue activities.

Temple Emanuel

1129 Jefferson Road
Greensboro, NC 27401

336-292-7899
tegreensboro.org

Rabbi Fred Guttman

Temple Emanuel is the center of Reform Jewish life for the community and our members. Our mission is to preserve Jewish heritage and perpetuate Judaism through educating and involving our members in the teachings and practices of Reform Judaism as it applies to every aspect of contemporary life. Shabbat services are held on Friday evenings and Saturday mornings at Temple Emanuel.  Friday Evening Shabbat services are held at 6:30 p.m. and are followed by Kiddush and Motzi.  Shabbat morning services are held on Saturdays at 10:30 a.m., except during the summer months. Call the Temple office to find out specific times for Holiday services or if you are interested in guest tickets for the High Holy Day Services. College students are invited to High Holy Day services as our guests, bring your student I.D. card for admittance.  For additional information on High Holy Day tickets or hospitality, please contact the Temple office. See our Web site (linked above) for a listing of all Temple Emanuel activities.

Muslim

Burlington Masjid

1908 S Mebane St, Burlington, NC 27215
(919) 998-9078
Website: www.burlingtonmasjid.com

Pakistan Islamic Foundation

1315 Hwy 61, Whitsett, NC, Gibsonville, NC 27249
(336) 538-1645
Email: abidmasoud@yahoo.com

Islamic Center of Greensboro

2023 16th Street, Greensboro, NC 27405
(336) 375-4908
E-mail: icgncinfo@gmail.com
Website: www.icgnc.com
Imam Ahmed Yaser

Islamic Center of the Triad

4930 Mary Street, Greensboro, NC 27409
(336) 856-2870
E-mail: badi323@aol.com
Website: www.islamiccenterofthetriad.com
Badi Ali, ICT President

Al-Ummil Ummat Islamic Center

2109 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive, Greensboro, NC 27406
(336) 574-3689
Email: alummil.ummat5@gmail.com
Website: www.auuic.org

Islamic Association of Cary

1076 W. Chatham Street
Cary, NC 27511
919-460-6496
Website: www.carymasjid.org

Islamic Association of Raleigh

808 Atwater Street
Raleigh, NC 27607
919-834-9572
Website: www.raleighmasjid.org

Open and Affirming Churches in the Area

If you’re involved with an Open and Affirming Church not listed here, please let us know.

College Park Church (American Baptist, Alliance of Baptists)

1601 Walker Avenue, Greensboro, NC 27403
Website: www.collegeparkchurch.com

College Park is progressive, diverse, and ecumenical. We are an open and affirming church that welcomes everyone with the radical hospitality of Christ. We are associated with the American Baptist Churches USA, the Alliance of Baptists, and the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship. Come as you are, ready to worship and grow in Christian faith and love. We’re not all Baptists, and all traditions are welcome. See Association of Welcome and Affirming Baptists.

Elon Community Church (United Church of Christ)

271 Williamson Avenue, Elon, NC 27244-0625
Website: www.eloncommunitychurch.org

All people are welcome to share God’s generous gifts in this congregation of the United Church of Christ. People of various traditions have found a home in this caring community where reason, emotion and service join together in one’s faith development.  See Open and Affirming in the UCC

Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter

Located in downtown Burlington at the corner of Davis and Broad streets.
320 East Davis St., Burlington, NC 27215
Website: www.holycomforterburlington.org

The Church of the Holy Comforter invites you to make our church your parish home for worship, fellowship and ministry during your college years. Holy Comforter is devoted to worshipping God and experiencing God’s presence within the church family, nurturing each other through a comprehensive parish program while affirming each other’s individual ministries and responding to God’s continuing call to minister to others. Opportunities abound for ministry within the parish and for various outreach projects in the community.

First Presbyterian Church (PCUSA)

508 W Davis St, Burlington, NC 27215
Website: www.fpcburlington.org

First Presbyterian Church is a strong, vibrant and welcoming community of faith. The doors of our church swing so wide as to welcome all, our arms are so open so as to embrace all, and our hearts are so warm that we love all.

Life’s Journey (United Church of Christ)

2121 Edgewood Avenue, Burlington, NC 27215
Website: www.lifesjourneyucc.org

We are an extravagantly welcoming, open and affirming community of faith. We proclaim that in this community, diversity shall be accepted and valued and that our welcome will be open and embracing. We reject any status in terms of social standing, education, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, mental ability, physical ability or any other distinction.  In keeping with the Kingdom whose table is set for all, we will extend ourselves fully in an effort to relieve human suffering and will oppose that which diminishes or oppresses even one of God’s children.   We affirm our commitment to the Gospel hope, “that they may all be one” (John 17:21). See Open and Affirming in the UCC.

Storied Church (United Methodist)

New church community in Mebane, NC
Website: www.storiedchurch.org

Storied Church is a newly emerging church community. “We are an open and affirming congregation in Mebane. We are dreaming of a church that doesn’t discourage skeptics or questions yet embraces them.” Connect with us on the website to learn more about meeting times and locations.

First United Methodist Church of Elon University

1630 Westbrook Ave, Elon, NC 27244
336-584-5263
Website: www.elonfumc.org

Elon First Baptist Church

113 Lynn St, Elon, NC 27244
336-584-5657
Website: www.elonfbc.org

First Christian Church UCC

415 S Church St, Burlington, NC 27215
336-226-7428
Website: www.firstchristianucc.org

Other Faith Traditions

Friends (Quaker)

Mormon (LDS)

Unitarian Universalist Church of Greensboro

Rev. Ann Marie Alderman

Office Phone: 336-856-0330
Website: www.uugreensboro.org

Services at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Directions from Elon:

Take I-40 to exit 214 (Wendover Ave.)
Take Guilford College Rd exit (1 mile)
Turn right onto Guilford College Rd
Turn left at the second light onto Hilltop Rd
UUCG will be 0.1 miles on your right.
All are welcome in this church. Distinctions of power, privilege and estate that apply outside these doors do not apply within them. Women, men and children, persons of any color, culture, age, ability, economic status, or affectional orientation, skeptics and those pursuing common or unorthodox religious paths — all are welcome here.

Unity in Greensboro

1203 Frances Daily Court, Colfax, NC 27235
336-273-0944
Services at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday mornings.

Yoga

Yoga can be exercise, and yoga can be a spiritual practice. In the Hindu and Buddhist traditions, yoga is often practiced as a preparation for meditation. Today, people from diverse traditions experience spiritual and physical well-being through yoga.

Alamance Wellness Studio

2823 S Church St
Burlington, NC

336-270-9118
Website: www.alamancewellnessstudio.com

Om Shanti Yoga

We’re next to Panera Bread.

422 Huffman Mill Road, Suite 206
Burlington, NC 27215

336-270-9381
Website: omshantiyoga.org
Email: info.omshantiyoga@gmail.com

Zenitry

We’re between the Fat Frog and Simply Thai.

2035 Timberline Station Drive
Elon, NC

336-524-8844
Website: www.zenitry.com
Email: Cricket@zenitry.com