Chaplains’ Tea: Building Community Through Hospitality, Dialogue, and Snacks

By: Jennon Bell Hoffman

Every Tuesday at 3 p.m., Georgetown University’s Campus Ministry opens its doors for Chaplains’ Tea. This weekly interfaith gathering invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to take a pause from the demands of the day, enjoy refreshments, and connect. Rooted in hospitality and dialogue, Chaplains’ Tea provides an informal space where relationships are built across faith traditions, identities, and experiences.

While Chaplains’ Tea is primarily designed with students in mind, everyone in the Georgetown community is welcome to attend. Whether stopping by between classes for a quick snack or staying to engage in conversation, participants are encouraged to experience a welcoming environment that reflects Georgetown’s commitment to interreligious understanding and community life. The gathering concludes each week with an Interfaith Prayer for Peace and Justice from 3:50 to 4:00 p.m., offering a brief opportunity for shared reflection and prayer.

“Chaplain’s Tea is one of the most precious parts of my week. There’s always yummy snacks and tea, of course. I always love meeting fellow students to catch up and chat,” says Asia Johnson (SFS ‘29). “Chaplain’s Tea is beautiful to me because you get to develop relationships and friendships with people from incredibly varied religious traditions. In the space of 45 minutes, I can talk to Catholic priests, a rabbi, an imam, Protestant ministers, an Orthodox priest, a brahmacharini, and more. Where else can I have that opportunity?”

Featured partners often include student support offices such as the LGBTQ Resource Center and Student Health, as well as programs that encourage civic engagement and social responsibility, including the Center for Social Justice and the Kalmanovitz Initiative. These informal conversations allow students to learn about opportunities, ask questions, and engage with the people behind many of Georgetown’s most important programs.

The selection of weekly themes and partners is intentional and guided by several considerations. Organizers look to the university calendar to identify religious holidays and festivals occurring near the event date, as well as heritage and awareness months that hold significance for the Georgetown community. They also consider whether a campus resource or academic partner can provide meaningful perspectives related to these observances, what major initiatives or events are taking place across campus, and whether a prospective partner has participated in Chaplains’ Tea within the previous year. This thoughtful planning ensures that each gathering remains timely, educational, and reflective of the diverse experiences represented within the university.

“Chaplains’ Tea is a way to take a moment to pause, to meet new folks, to connect with others, and to find a moment to step away from the busy-ness,” says Fr. Greg Schenden, S.J., director of Campus Ministry. “Whether students, faculty, staff come every week or whenever their schedule allows, Chaplains’ Tea is a welcoming respite to find community, comfort, and peace in the midst of the week.” 

Through its combination of hospitality, conversation, and interfaith engagement, Chaplains’ Tea has become a welcoming weekly tradition that embodies Georgetown’s Jesuit values of community, dialogue, and care for the whole person. By bringing together chaplains, students, faculty, staff, and campus partners, the gathering creates opportunities to learn from one another while fostering a stronger sense of belonging.

Weekly Invitation

Join chaplains and staff Tuesdays at 3 p.m. at Healy Hall for snacks and conversation. Each week, a university partner joins us to share their work and introduce opportunities for engagement across campus. Everyone is also invited to remain for the Interfaith Prayer for Peace and Justice from 3:50–4:00 p.m. Whether you’re dropping in between classes or staying for the afternoon, we look forward to welcoming you to Chaplains’ Tea.

For more information about Chaplains’ Tea, visit the Campus Ministry Instagram page.

Jennon Bell Hoffmann is a freelance writer and editor living in Chicago.

Rev. Dr. Ebony Grisom is the director for Protestant Life.

Dr. Charlene Brown-Mckenzie is the Senior Associate Dean of Students and Executive Director of Access and Success.

Imam Yahya Hendi is the director for Muslim Life.

Michael Haycock is the associate director for interreligious programs and operations.