Prairie View A&M Canterbury Gains Momentum Upon Re-establishment

Prairie View A&M University Canterbury was re-established as a student organization in 2021. The Canterbury in Prairie View had a successful year and gives special thanks to the dedication, connections and experience from leaders Darryl Johnson, Herbert Thomas, Dr. Carla Whittaker, Seab Smith and Florine Muse.

Student participants are undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral students who are studying varied subjects, including engineering, computer information systems, juvenile justice, psychology, accounting, nursing, and sociology. The students are from the United States, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Nigeria.

Several students who attend the Anglican church in their home countries also attend services on Sundays. The sons of Ugoahalam and Ernest James and Bargavi Krishnan were baptized by Bishop Andy Doyle on Oct. 23, 2022. George Ekechukwu reaffirmed his baptismal covenant at the same service.

Canterbury met every other week on Sundays at 1:30 p.m. during the spring 2022 semester. In the fall, we began to meet every week. At each meeting, congregants share a meal, study the Bible, and discuss how to live as faithful disciples. For Thanksgiving, Prairview Canterbury purchased and delivered 65 meals to seniors in Prairie View and Hempstead.

The Rev. Canon Glenice Robinson-Como led a prayer and meditation practice using labyrinths. Stephanie Townes, missioner for youth and young adults also joined us for a meeting.

Students Shadiamon Bain (B.S. Psychology), Kala Washington (B.S. Criminal Justice) and David Burrows (M.S. Civil Engineering) graduated in December 2022. Students Kennedy Harris and James Fearon were wed by the Rev. Rhonda Rogers on Dec. 10, 2022 at St. Francis of Assisi.

The love and welcomes received by students through the Canterbury has created a safe, inclusive environment. Alumni report that they share their experiences and encourage others to join.

Due to the growth of the Canterbury, the diocese initiated a search for a full-time missioner. The Rev. Enrique McCartney accepted the call and arrived in Texas the week after Christmas, and congregants look forward to the shared ministry between the Canterbury and St. Francis of Assisi.

Prairie View A&M University Canterbury remains grateful for the support of this ministry and urges continued prayers. These young adults want and need fellowship and are seeking to create deep relations with God. They look for ways to demonstrate their faith through outreach and service.