"Come and See" is the most common phrase that both the students and I use to invite people to come to the Canterbury Center at Oklahoma State University. St. Augustine Canterbury Center is located in a store front on the southeast corner of campus. The traditional red door with the Episcopal Shield and the words on the awning over the door, "Canterbury Center - Faith Seeking Understanding," make it clear that we are slightly different from other campus ministries on this campus.

Students are encouraged to invite their friends with the phrase, "Come and see." Come be among us. See who we are. Share a meal and conversation with us and enjoy finding new friends. Participate in our worship and experience the mystery of Christ's presence in the bread and wine. Join hands with ours to reach out to others. Because of such welcome and inclusion into the community several students have been baptized and many have been confirmed in the Episcopal Church.  Several students have investigated a call to ordination - and one is now an Episcopal priest.

The Canterbury Center is a 2,000 square foot space we rent from a local merchant who owns the building.  In addition to the great location, this space has vintage 1920's glass block windows from almost floor to ceiling all along the 60 feet of sidewalk in front of the Center. This provides lots of light to the interior space.  We have a small kitchen with stove and dishwasher. There are six large round tables that can be moved into various configurations depending on the event. The outside door has a combination lock so that students can come and go whenever they want.  This is the student's space.  As many students have said, "This is my home away from home."  There are sofas and cushy chairs as well as a TV and DVD player. The pool table provides a simple diversion from studies.  We also have high speed Wi-Fi access, so students bring their lap-top computers and study here.

Throughout the week there are opportunities for students with similar interests to come together. Monday evening a group of students share a simple meal and discuss "hot topics" in the news or discuss an interesting book. We end by saying Compline together. On Tuesday Noon, students, faculty and staff members gather for home-made soup and sandwiches followed by Noon Day Prayer.  Wednesday is our primary worship time. Worship includes use of power point slides for pictures and words projected on the wall behind the altar. Our music is selected from contemporary Christian music and traditional hymns.  Following worship we share a home-cooked meal and fellowship. Twice a week I go to the Student Union, get a cup of coffee and talk with students and sometimes faculty and staff who drop by to chat. 

For the past three semesters, with our Bishop's permission, I have taught one class each semester in the School of Geology. Although I don't teach "in collar," students know that I am an Episcopal priest. This leads to lively conversations outside of class with students (who may never enter a church) on topics related to the seeming incongruity between science and religion.

"Come and See" we say, standing on the street corner on a chilly October evening handing out dozens of packages of FREE cookies at Homecoming Walk-About. "Why are you giving away cookies?" people ask suspiciously. "Because we want to share God's love. Come by the Canterbury Center and see."

The Rev. Mary Hileman is the chaplain at Oklahoma State University

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