FAQ
Wasn’t American University once a United Methodist affiliated school?
Actually, it still is. American University has been a United Methodist affiliated school since its founding. At times, that affiliation has not been as obvious as at others, but the University is still affiliated with the church. For more information, click here.
Do you have to be a Methodist to participate in your activities?
Not at all. Methodists pride themselves on being inclusive and ecumenical. We here at AU have never turned anyone away from involvement–or leadership–simply because they weren’t United Methodist. In fact, some of our most active students, including a number of leaders of the United Methodist Student Association, have been from other Christian traditions. And everyone is welcome to participate in any of our programs and events.
Is your ministry affiliated with the church across the street?
Yes and no. The AU United Methodist Chaplaincy is an independent United Methodist campus ministry of the Baltimore-Washington Conference of The United Methodist Church. That being said, we are in a close partnership with Metropolitan Memorial UMC as well as with St. Luke’s UMC, St. Paul’s Lutheran Church,Dumbarton UMC, Foundry United Methodist Church, Capitol Hill United Methodist Church, Chevy Chase United Methodist Church, and Woodside United Methodist Church.
Does the ministry receive funding from the University?
No. Although we are a United Methodist ministry at a United Methodist university, we receive no funding from the University. As of 2009, we no longer receive program funding from the Baltimore-Washington Conference, thus, the bulk of our funding is raised through contributions and donations.
Who is able to receive communion in your services?
Everyone.
Why does your color scheme change from time to time?
Our default color scheme uses deep red, black and white. But at special times of year, especially during Lent and Advent, we’ll follow the liturgical colors from Christian tradition, and our colors will be purple, the color of penitence, and pink, the color of joy amidst sorrow. For other times of the year, we may use lavender (lavender) and pale yellow for Easter, or bright red for Pentecost.
Does aumethodists mean “American University Methodists” or “American United Methodists”?
We Wesleyans aren’t an “either/or” people. We’re a “both/and” people.
More questions and answers coming soon!
