A diverse gathering of Presbyterian College students, staff, and campus ministries came together on a recent evening for “Bread and Blessings,” a worship service and shared meal that highlighted faith, fellowship, and unity amid difference.

The event, held at the college’s Springs Campus Center, featured students and leaders from the Student Shepherds, Campus Outreach, and Fellowship of Christian Athletes. It included prayer, scripture, music, and table conversations—all shared over dinner in a welcoming and worshipful atmosphere.

From the start, the service was designed to build community across denominational lines.

“We live in a culture that is increasingly polarized,” said the Rev. Dr. Buz Wilcoxon, the Marianne and E.G. Lassiter Chaplain and Dean of Spiritual Life at PC. “Yet, as Christians, we are called to work for unity. The Bread and Blessings service was beautiful and moving as it occurred, and so was all the planning work that led to it. Different Christian groups with different theologies and expressions of faith came together as one to model unity, fellowship, and hospitality. That in and of itself is a witness to our divided and divisive world.”

A Spirit of Togetherness

The Rev. Dr. British Hyrams, the Jack and Jane Presseau Associate Chaplain at PC, led the service and helped coordinate the multi-group collaboration.

“The inspiration for this service came from two sources,” Hyrams said. “First, I meet with all the campus ministry and religious RSO’s occasionally each semester to keep us connected and in communication—the Spiritual Life Student Council (SLSC). This is meant to foster good relationships among us all. Second, the Student Shepherds and I did a Bible reading plan together on The Bible app, and the idea of a dinner worship service came out of the comments we wrote during that week.”

After discussions and votes among student leaders, the concept took shape as a dinner-based worship experience designed to encourage comfort, connection, and spiritual exploration.

“As the associate chaplain, this was important because many students don’t know or care about denominations or any divisions in the Church or Christianity,” Hyrams said. “Seeing us all come together in a unified manner as the body of Christ—worshipping, learning, sharing, and truly enjoying the time together—was a witness to our campus community.”

A Full Evening of Worship

The evening began with a gathering activity before student leaders welcomed attendees. The service included several moments of song, prayer, and scripture, with Luke 19:1-10 as the central reading. The passage, which recounts the story of Zacchaeus, emphasized transformation and hospitality—values reflected in the evening itself.

Student musicians led worship songs including “Here I Am to Worship,” led by Student Shepherds; “How Great Is Our God,” by FCA’s James Crim; and “Trust in God,” performed by PC’s Gospel Choir. Students also offered prayers, participated in small-group table discussions, and brought forward an offering.

The raffle prizes added a spirit of fun and accessibility, but it was the worship and fellowship that left the biggest impression.

“I believe Bread and Blessings helped people get out of their comfort zone by engaging with people they did not know and perhaps would never have met,” Hyrams said. “It helped build community. I observed students offering their time and talents to make it happen… and most students staying until the very end! To God be the glory!”

Student Reflections

Freshman Calvin Smith, a Columbia native, called the event “a triumph.”

“It was sublime to experience this unity of believers across campus,” Smith said. “Bread was broken, games were played, songs were sung, and scripture was shared. It struck me as a true commitment to the cultivation of a meaningful community on campus. These aspects of fellowship and unity are crucial to the strength and growth of any community, which signals prosperity for PC’s community of faith.”

Another student, Josue Funes-Morales, a freshman from Taylors, appreciated the opportunity to deepen his connection to PC’s faith community.

“The event was a time of worship and a time for community building while eating dinner,” he said. “I think it was important because it allowed people from different denominations to come together and go over the word of God while being in a safe environment to ask questions without being judged.”

Coordinating Community

Sophomore Saniya Chesney, a member of the Student Shepherds and Campus Outreach, served as one of the event coordinators. Her role included decorating the tables and organizing the QR code for the song lyrics.

“The event was to help people get out of their comfort zone and explore new options,” she said. “I got to talk to people who I had never spoken to before and it was amazing to see everyone come together because of their faith.”

Chesney said she believes the event’s success lays a foundation for more to come.

“Everyone was talking to one another, we were all singing together and enjoying food with one another,” she said. “I feel like if we did something like this again it could be bigger and better—especially if this one was memorable for people.”

As PC continues to explore new ways of expressing shared faith and mutual support, Bread and Blessings stands as a joyful reminder that the college’s spiritual life is both rooted in tradition and open to innovation.

“We were truly one body that night,” Hyrams said. “And that is the Church at its best.”