Who we are

We are Dallas Young Adult Episcopalians. We are a community of young adults ages 18 to 39, who seek to follow Jesus and serve others in the Episcopal-Anglican tradition. We are an open community who welcomes everyone as a child of God. We exist to help young adults encourage one another to embrace God’s Love, and equip them as servant leaders to embody Christ to the world. We hope you enjoy your visit and join us for life together.

We are a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas, as part of the Episcopal Church in America, which is a member of the Anglican Communion worldwide. As such, our roots reach deep into the soil of Christ’s Church throughout history, and our branches reach outward to embrace young adults from anywhere and everywhere!

Our activities

Looking for Something Different? In a superficial world of social masks and false promises, we want to offer a safe place where you can be who you are, warts and all. In a world immersed in information and drowning in activities, we want to offer a place where you can escape to think, to ask honest questions, and to get real answers. In a world stripped of mystery and spirituality, we want to offer a sacred space to connect with God. In a world where “me-first” is our first priority, and where people are treated as expendable tools to achieve success, we want to bring Christ’s Kingdom of healing and wholeness, as we give ourselves to serve others, loving our neighbors as ourselves. Looking for something like this? Please join us!

Activities for Fellowship and Fun: We meet weekly for food and fellowship at the

Canterbury SMU student center, and after Church on Sundays at Saint Michael. We also meet monthly for “Faith and Film” nights where we watch and discuss movies, and for “Theology on Tap”, where we grab a frosty beverage and talk about the intersection of religion and real life. In addition, we have occasional retreats and special events such as going to sports games and cultural experiences. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar.

Activities for Worship and spirituality: We offer a wide array of weekly worship and prayer experiences. On Sunday

mornings at Saint Michael we have Contemporary, Family, and Traditional worship (as well as dynamic Sunday school!). On Sunday night at Canterbury SMU we have Candlelight Communion followed by a free community meal. Throughout the week we have Evening Prayer and Midday Eucharist services at Canterbury (when school is in session). On a monthly basis, we have special worship events, such as Taize mediative worship and Prayer retreats. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar.

Activities for Growth and discipleship: During the school year, we are packed with

opportunities to grow in faith. Sunday mornings feature excellent Bible study and topical discussion classes at Saint Michael. During the midweek, there are several Bible studies for different groups going on at Canterbury SMU (this varies with the semester). On Wednesday nights, we have young adult ministry at Saint Michael. In addition, there are monthly “Faith and Film” nights where we watch and discuss movies, and for “Theology on Tap”, where we grab a frosty beverage and talk about the intersection of religion and real life. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar.

Activities for Service and outreach: On a monthly basis, we offer community service

projects with local area charities and social justice organizations. On a yearly basis, we have mission trips either in the US or abroad, to people and places in need of hope, help, and healing. We also offer connections with a host of local organizations to get personally involved in serving the Dallas area in Christ’s name. For dates, times, and locations see our online calendar, and for charitable organizations to volunteer with, see our links page.

Our history

Canterbury House SMU was founded in 1949 as part of the outreach vision of Charles Avery Mason (bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas from 1946 to 1970). During Mason's episcopate, some 83 parishes and missions were founded from Fort Worth to Texarkana. One of the key points of Mason's church planting program was the raising up of young lay leaders and clergy who would carry the Church's mission forward into the future. To this end, he established college missions at SMU, UTA, TCU, and UNT (then North Texas Teacher's College). Furthermore, he made sure that "this comprehensive chaplaincy coverage of the campuses" was spearheaded by "an exceptional list of gifted clergy and concerned laity".

In 1953 a two story house was purchased at 3308 Daniel Street as home base of Canterbury operations (right across the street from what would become the SMU Law School). By 1958, a 100 seat Anglo-catholic style chapel was built on the back side of the property, as well as student apartments that were added on to the Canterbury House.

From the 1950's to the early 1970's was the "heyday" of Canterbury House SMU. Pictures from this era show 100-150 students at major events, and service records indicate that 50-70 students per week were being served through daily prayer and Eucharist services. Although there are no "hard figures" on how many people eventually became clergy through involvement in Canterbury, many Episcopal clergy around the US report significant involvement in Canterbury SMU as a major reason for pursuing a call to ministry in the Episcopal Church.

This is not to say that there were not vibrant and effective ministry at Canterbury from 1970 to 2007. There were. There appears to be several amazing events, lecture series, and collegiate communities during that time. In the mid-1990's Father Josh Acton led a very effective ministry that included weekly worship, fellowship meals, a vibrant small group system, mission trips, retreats, and service projects. When he left around 2000, he was replaced by Mother Barbara Kelton. She continued much of what Josh had been doing. However, she had a much greater emphasis on the inclusion of the elderly, marginalized students, and those who had been hurt or excluded by the dominant religious culture of the SMU area.

In 2003, the program literally "burned down". The 50 year old wiring of the Canterbury House gave out, and created a fire that totaled the property, and resulted in the complete demolition of 3308 Daniel Street. With the loss of our "almost-on-campus" ministry center, the ministry was moved over a mile off campus to St. Christopher Episcopal Church.

However, despite the hardships, Mother Kelton was able to create an incredible fundraising board who would work for the next 4 years to raise funds to re-build Canterbury House at 3308 Daniel. She left in 2004 and was followed by a series of temporary chaplains, including Mother Marci Pounders. During this time we met off and on at St. Christopher, on the SMU campus, and in Perkins Chapel.

In 2006, Nate Bostian became chaplain at Canterbury SMU. During his tenure there from 2006 to 2010, we saw the re-birth of the student ministry, and the re-building of our student center and chapel. During this time Nate was also ordained as a deacon, and then as a priest.

Through the valiant efforts of the Canterbury board, and generous contributions from both the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas and private donors, we raised enough money to build a new student center and enlarged chapel in 2007 (we are still raising money to finish out the upstairs). With its wonderful facilities, beautiful chapel, and booming organ, this new building promises to be the hub of young adult ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Dallas for decades to come.

Since then, we have developed a community 20-30 students attending on a weekly basis at Eucharistic worship and weekly Bible studies, with 3-5 visitors each week. Our community is based around small group Bible studies (on Tuesdays or Thursdays), community meals, and Sunday night "Mass and a Meal" (Eucharistic worship and free homecooked meal).

Our highlights from 2006-2010 include:

1. •Opened in November of 2008, with our first event (only hours after we received our occupancy permit) to host the retired Archbishop of Canterbury, Lord George Carey, to speak to the youth of the Diocese. Around 90 came.
   

2. •Hosted the Presiding Bishop, Katharine Jefferts Schori, on December 12, 2009 for Eucharist and a Reception, with 50+ people in attendance from SMU and all over the Diocese.
   

3. •Hosted the Bishop Elect of Namirembe, Uganda, Wilberforce Kityo Luwalira, for Eucharist and a community meal in Spring 2009.
   

4. •Hosted Bishop Bill Frey and his wife for community Eucharist and meal on December 13.
   

5. •Saw one student confirmed in 2009, and another baptized in 2008.
   

6. •Our chaplain, Nate Bostian, completed an entire summer session of Clinical Pastoral Education in Summer 2009, and was ordained to the priesthood on November 21, 2009.
   

7. •Hosted 24 hour, all-campus Prayer Vigil during Holy Week in 2008 and 2009, with over 50 in attendance throughout the night.
   

8. •Combined Ash Wednesday Service with Wesley House Methodist Ministries in 2009.
   

9. •Participated in All-Campus Spiritual Events 2008-2009, including Ash Wednesdays, Prayer Rallies for special needs (including Darfur), Passover Seder meals, and others.
   

10. •Hosted a number of campus and community groups, including: BYX Christian Fraternity, HIΣ Christian Sorority, Intervarsity Graduate Fellowship, the Oblates of Saint Benedict, Asian American Christian Fellowship, Dallas League of Women Voters, the Diocese of Dallas Youth Commission, Wesley House Methodists, Reformed University Fellowship, and SMU Campus Ministries Commission.
    

11. •Nate was on the interview committee for hiring the new Campus Chaplain at SMU
    

12. •Participated in a Round-Table discussion between Nate, an Orthodox Rabbi, and a "Messianic" Baptist regarding the relation between Christianity and Judaism. Sponsored by the SMU Religious Studies Club.
    

13. •Did Service Projects with Jubilee Neighborhood, Our Friend's Place (homeless children's shelter), and Austin Street Shelter.
    

14. •Did fellowship events, including White Elephant Christmas parties, Bowling, Movie nights, and weekly community meals.