Spiritual struggles common with students
By Ashley Hopkins, Staff writer
Posted on March 1, 2007

Coming to JMU made it hard for recent alumna Annie Markowski (’06) to keep the faith.

Though she is currently an active member of the Canterbury Episcopal Campus Ministry, things were shakier when she was a student. Markowski, who began to participate in the ministry initially, left the group and university shortly after breaking up with her Episcopalian boyfriend and began to search for other religious outlets.

“I ran away scared,” she said.  “I was very discouraged.”

During her junior year, Markowski transfered to Randolph Macon College, where she stayed for three semesters before returning to JMU. Things were not easier the second time around.

Markowski dated an agnostic and began to attend Freethinkers, a group of atheists, agnostics and humanists who meet to discuss organized religion and promote religious diversity on campus.

“I called myself a Christian, but I didn’t know how to apply it to my life,” she said.  “[Freethinkers] helped me realize that I did believe in [Christianity] because I had to debate it.”

With renewed devotion, Markowski decided to reintegrate herself into Canterbury and once again became an active member of the ministry. She remained involved until graduating in December and still makes time to go to the Haas House, where the organization resides.

“That’s why I like it here,” she said.  “You can have a spiritual crisis and still be Episcopal.”

Markowski is not the first and won’t be the last student to have a “spiritual crisis.”  Laura Lockey, chaplain for Canterbury Episcopal, said since college is a time for students to explore their own individuality and make their own decisions, it is common for them to feel the desire to break away from the theologies they grew up with.

In an effort to accommodate those who might not otherwise become involved, the ministry works around students’ busy schedules. Hosting evening Bible studies, nightly study breaks around finals and weekend retreats, students don’t have to worry about fitting faith into their busy schedules. The work is done for them.

Easy schedules, however, are not the only reason students join the group, as it offers a positive environment to meet and discuss religious viewpoints, make friends and offer support.

No one knows about the emotional support Canterbury offers better than freshman Kate Nagy, registrar for the ministry. 

Encouraged to join by her sister, a member of the University of Mary Washington’s chapter, Nagy had no way of knowing how important the group would become to her until her grandmother died last week. The support and prayers of fellow Episcopalians has helped her cope with her loss.

With the support of her peers at Canterbury, Nagy believes she is even more devout now than during her freshman year.

Surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals who understand her faith, she feels comfortable in the ministry. 

“My faith is one of the most important things in my life,” Nagy said.   “When I came to college I wanted somewhere like this to go. It’s nice having Canterbury.”