Our Future

The pandemic years have been transformational throughout our common society, and Canterbury: the Episcopal Church at William & Mary is no exception. Programs went on hiatus; we needed to find new ways of connecting with students, first virtually and now among increasingly busy schedules; some parts of the ministry have reached their natural conclusion, and with it, the excitement of new possibilities is on the horizon.

At its core, Canterbury remains what it always has been: a place for the William & Mary community to gather, in its disparate identities, around a common curiosity about God. And, as Canterbury has done throughout its ministry, out future is filled with new ways of engaging with people and God as guided by the Holy Spirit.

We are excited to continue moving forward in ministry. Together with a student-led strategic plan and conversations with the Episcopal Church’s Office of Young Adult and Campus Ministries, we have worked hard over the past year to dream about where we want to grow as a community. The future of Canterbury is bright!

What’s Ahead

Our plans for 2023 include addressing the scope of Canterbury’s ministry by Growing our Campus, as well as increasing the breadth of our ministry by Increasing our Engagement.

Growing our Campus

A majority of Canterbury members have prior experience with the Episcopal Church. This leaves great potential for growth among those who have no connection to the Episcopal Church, some of whom are exploring their faith for the first time. For individuals who identify as Episcopalians, the connection to Canterbury is relatively easy. Canterbury strives to increase on-campus visibility and name recognition to improve connections to non-Episcopalians. We believe a lecture series, to be held on campus, on topics related to the intersection of faith and society, would engage a broader range of people and encourage exposure to Canterbury as a ministry.

Ministries to faculty, staff members, and administrators were paused at the beginning of the pandemic, and are in the process of reevaluation. We will reengage with members of these groups to discern the current programming needs. Many members of these groups are known to Canterbury and receive regular email and print updates. By involving all three local Episcopal parishes, all members in these groups will be identified and will form the core of the rekindling of this part of the ministry. Canterbury will hold listening sessions in the next year to determine the type and frequency of programs to best fit the needs of faculty, administrators, and staff.

Increasing our Engagement

Our biennial pilgrimage to England represents the epitome of the impact Canterbury makes on the lives of its members. Canterbury changes lives, and we envision a future where our ministry together offers more opportunities to bring people together, broaden exposure to one’s faith, and to show that, in God, all belong. From a more proactive approach to families, to hosting online gatherings of alumni, to exploring additional pilgrimage or mission trip opportunities for students and alumni, Canterbury will deepen the engagement of its members by continuing to offer a wide range of programs and opportunities to engage with faith as a community and as individuals.

Join the Conversation

We are planning a series of conversations for current Canterburians, parishioners, family members, and alumni, and we would love for you to add your voice to the discussion. Fill out the form below to express interest.