About Us
Located in the Sharon and Ron Matthews Ministry Center (MMC), the Department of Religious Life and Office of the Chaplain are available for students interested in connecting with religious and spiritual life on campus, learning about faith communities, or seeking spiritual support along the journey of university life. Religious Life fosters a spirit of hospitality that supports and encourages all students, faculty and staff in honoring the sacred. In this environment of education and growth, there are safe and respectful times and places to wrestle with the hard questions of life. The University Chaplain, adjunct chaplains and staff are available to students of all traditions for conversations around faith and personal matters. Religious Life has many opportunities to serve, lead and grow spiritually. The core tenets of Religious Life are: Connect. Grow. Serve. Listen. Love. Learn.
CIRCUIT offered on Wednesdays at 11 a.m. CIRCUIT is the weekly gathering of the Methodist University community for inspiration and education. Rooted in justice, love, truth, and virtue, CIRCUIT uses lectures, table conversation, worship, and service to challenge, inspire, and engage the campus community toward action.
Catholic Mass, Chaplain’s Bible Study, Holy Communion and MUGS are offered weekly. Check your MU email and MU Religious Life social media for the most current meeting times for these gatherings.
Faith-based student groups offered through the Student Involvement Center include Ignite, Bible Study, PGM Fellowship, and Delight Women’s Ministry.
Unpacking Religion is monthly program centered on shared meal and discussion of various religious traditions and faiths around the world.
A student-led worship experience is offered by IGNITE on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. at Matthews Chapel.
The Ministry Center’s Student Lounge, “The Family Room,” (open 7 a.m.-12 midnight) is an inviting place for students to relax, watch TV, study, meet new people and enjoy an occasional snack.
The University Chaplain, Rev. Kelli W. Taylor, is available at (910) 630-7515 or ktaylor@methodist.edu. Student program information, including details on mission trips and alternative break experiences, is available from Ruth Carr at (910) 630-7157 or rcarr@methodist.edu.
Staff
B.A., Converse College; M.Div., Duke University; OSL Elder in Full Connection – The United Methodist Church, South Carolina Annual Conference SCUMC Board of Ordained Ministry, Theology and Doctrine Examination Committee Rev. Taylor holds degrees from Converse College and Duke University Divinity School and is an ordained elder in The United Methodist Church. In addition to serving as a Pastor in rural, downtown and urban churches, she has previously served as faculty in the Religion Department and Chaplain at Spartanburg Methodist College. Rev. Taylor was the Director of Communications for the General Board of Church and Society, one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church located in Washington, DC and served as editor for Guidelines for Leading the Church: Church and Society, Cokesbury Publishing, 2008. In 2019, she co-authored an article with Dr. George Hendricks, Dean of the School of Public Affairs at Methodist University, entitled “A Fresh Expression of ‘And Are We Yet Alive?’”, published in The Asbury Journal. Rev. Taylor’s interests are: peace and reconciliation, interfaith religious literacy, liturgy, advocacy/justice on death penalty issues, teaching and Christian discipleship. She is married to J. Richard Taylor, a PGA professional, and they have three sons. B.S., Campbell University B.S., Fayetteville State University; M.S., Troy University; M.S., Webster University Marylena McCrimmon earned her Bachelor of Science in 1980 from Fayetteville State University, majoring in Office Administration. She also earned a Master of Science in Management from Troy University, Master of Science in Leadership and Organization and Human Resources Management from Webster University. She is a 27-year veteran of United States Army. Her hobbies includes walking, crossword computer games, traveling, and enjoying time with family and friends.
Rev. Kelli Taylor, MDiv, OSL
Vice President for Religious Life & Community Engagement; Chaplain
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Ruth Carr, BS
Director, Religious Life & Community Engagement
Marylena McCrimmon, MS
Administrative Assistant, Religious Life & Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
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