Welcome to University Interfaith Council

The Purpose of the UIC

Our programs include celebrations and interfaith gatherings, educational events including religious study courses, community service, worship/meditation, spiritual care and counseling to students, faculty and staff, strengthening a campus wide sense of spirituality, providing a spiritual perspective for various academic educational programs and events on campus, and increasing awareness of options for spiritual life on campus.

Organizations:

Asian-American Christian Fellowship: This group is committed to making disciples, primarily to those who are Asian Pacific Americans, with the life-changing message of Jesus Christ, by educating and equipping students in biblical foundations, Christian disciplines, and the development of spiritual gifts in order to prepare for witness and service on the campus, in the local church, in the marketplace, and in world missions.
AACFUCSC@ucsc.edu
www.aacf.org/campuses

Chabad Student Center - The Chabad Student Center offers Judaism with a personal touch, provides a place where tradition meets trend, and uses a style that fuses mysticism with modernity. From our family-style Shabbat and Holiday events to our personalized educational programs, the Chabad House is your Home Away From Home for Jewish celebration and education.
rabbi@jewcsc.com
www.jewcsc.com

Chi Alpha - Chi Alpha is a student faith movement for all nations. We desire that the kingdom of heaven would be made reality on earth (Matthew 6:10). We hold weekly worship services, discipleship groups, & outreaches. We also host three annual retreats.

We are part of the National Chi Alpha movement that started in 1953 and have been active at UCSC since 2020. We are a Pentecostal fellowship affiliated with the Assemblies of God, but individuals from all faith backgrounds are welcome.

Check out our website for more information: www.santacruzxa.com

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - offers regular religious and social activities, on and off campus. We welcome everyone who is interested in the integration of spiritual and scholastic life. We also have a young single adult branch meeting at 1pm at 220 Elk St.
Pete Pearson petepearson1@gmail.com (831) 818 1399
Joseph Barton joejoebarton@gmail.com ‭(831) 566 0421‬

Ekklesia – We are a brand new Christian fellowship that will be meeting virtually and on campus at UC Santa Cruz as an outreach of ReGeneration Church in Scotts Valley. Our mission is to cultivate a community of people from different backgrounds who respond to the love of Christ by learning, growing and intervening in our world to reflect the love, justice and mercy of the heart of God. Come curious. Come to explore the Bible with us as we consider the beautiful kingdom of God in our midst. Rides are provided for church events that are not virtual or not meeting at UCSC.
Matt Valencia, matt@theregenerationchurch.com (831) 222 0122
TheReGenerationChurch.com

High Street College Fellowship – we are a multigenerational Christian congregation adjacent to campus seeking to better serve the UCSC community. High Street welcomes people of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds to participate in Christian community through a variety of events and opportunities to serve in the ongoing life of the church. We also provide rides to and from our Sunday worship gatherings, followed by a freshly prepared lunch and teaching/discussion time for students.
Ozan Bellik, (201) 844-8622, obellik@gmail.com
www.hscchurch.org

Hillel / Jewish Student Resource Center – offers cultural, social, holiday, Israel and social action activities to make Judaism more accessible and meaningful. Explore your Jewish heritage through weekly Shabbat services and dinners, weekly campus Torah and Kabbalah classes, free Birthright trips to Israel, and so much more!
www.santacruzhillel.org, 801 High Street, (behind Messiah Lutheran Church)

International Students, Inc. – Friendship, welcome and cultural exchange, for all UCSC international students, scholars, and your families. American Christian volunteers from 9 local churches, and nationwide, offer: Friendship Partners, English Conversation & pronunciation coaching, Friendship events, M28 Bible studies, airport pickups, and other help. ISI: Sharing Christ's love with International students
Peggy Pollard, 831-239-3429, ISI.SantaCruz@gmail.com
www.ISIsantaCruz.com

InterVarsity Christian Fellowship – We are a multiethnic community of students seeking to develop leaders who reach the campus with the love of Jesus Christ. Our fellowship is driven by the hope to center the voices and experiences of those who have been historically marginalized in Christian spaces. Check out our online meeting spaces at our website!
Benita Isaac, Benita.isaac@intervarsity.org
intervarsityucsantacruz.org

IV Grad Christian Fellowship (GCF) – Everybody’s welcome to join our community of grad students who love Jesus, encourage one another, and share the love of Christ with others.  We take turns leading Bible studies (for now on Zoom), monthly dinners, game nights, and outdoor activities.
Get info and connect: gradcf@ucsc.edu or 831-331-7313 (Peter), http://www.facebook.com/groups/ucscgcf.

Klesis Christian Fellowship – We are a campus Christian fellowship at UC Santa Cruz. We meet weekly for Life Groups, Bible studies, and Sunday Worship Service on the UCSC campus. "Klesis" is Greek for “divine calling” or “invitation.” It’s God’s invitation to a relationship with Him. So whether you are a Christian who wants to grow in your faith, or just curious about what Christianity is all about, we invite you to join us!
Ryan Theimer (ryan.theimer@acts2.network) and Lenin Yang (lenin.yang@acts2.network)
ucsc.klesis.org

Kyrie Christian Fellowship – Kyrie Christian Fellowship - We are a Christian Fellowship seeking to integrate the local and historic church into the lives of UCSC students. "Kyrie" comes from an Ancient Greek phrase, Kyrie eleison, meaning, Lord have mercy. We look to deepen the walls of UCSC students through weekly studies, discipleship, and teaching. We welcome all for discussion to learn about the historic event that changes the world, the life of Jesus Christ.
Thomas Choy, kyrieucsc@gmail.com

Lutheran Campus Ministry – we exist to enrich each person’s journey of faith through study and through experience. We offer Zoom Bible studies, and Worship Opportunities. We have an active Chinese Language Christian fellowship.  When we can get back offline, we will host seminars, movies and retreats for learning experiences; music, prayer, worship and Dinner Fellowships for spiritual expression, and hikes, day trips, community service and environmental activism to expand our horizons.  Messiah Lutheran, 801 High St.  
Pastor Rick Rice, 831-423-8330, RevRRice@aol.com
Pastor Freeman Li, freeman2755@gmail.com    

Newman Center – We welcome and support students (and the wider campus community) in practicing their faith, loving God and neighbor, and growing spiritually. We empower our students to explore their gifts and to discern their place in the Catholic Church as well as the campus and the world. Join us on social media: instragram.com/ucscnewman, twitter.com/ucscnewman, and facebook.com/groups/ucscnewman.
Father Dat Nguyen, DATDUQ@yahoo.com
ucscnewman.com

Sangha Shantivanam – Is a Christian community which aims to promote the Universal Call to Contemplation through shared prayer and spiritual practice, and to be a sign of unity and an instrument of peace by seeking to understand the experience of Ultimate Reality as found in all the world’s spiritual traditions. We meet Sundays at 4:00pm  (in person and on zoom). We offer instruction in meditation, yoga, and study of the world’s wisdom traditions.  We invite students to deepen their inquiry and practice. For more info visit our website: sanghashanti.net
Ziggy Rendler-Bregman, zig.poet@gmail.com

Vintage Faith Church – We are a church fairly near campus - and home of The Abbey Coffeehouse which was opened for UCSC students to have a place to study and hang out. The church is comprised of many who are college-age. There is mid-week on-campus ministry meeting, along with a young-adult-specific mid-week gathering at the church and and 3 all-age worship gatherings on Sundays. We are a church that loves exploring theology, asking tough questions and have a heavy focus on the arts and music. Rides to and from campus can be provided. 
ucsc@vintagechurch.org, www.vintagechurch.org, www.facebook.com/vfchurch
The Abbey: abbeylounge.com

Young Life College – Regardless of a student's religious background, Young Life College offers a fun, accepting community to be a part of while exploring or deepening their faith.  As caring adults venture with them, college students are nurtured, guided and encouraged to become young adults who are committed followers of Jesus Christ. College students can also be great Young Life leaders for middle and high school students. Most areas are eager to train and include college students as valuable members of their Young Life teams.
Heather Troxell - Area Director, yltroxells@gmail.com