“Hey!” university chaplain Rev. Eric Doolittle yelled across the soggy American University quad last week. “Cupcakes—for free!”

Wearing a royal blue shirt, jacket, and clerical collar, the director of the Kay Spiritual Life Center (KSLC) stood next to an inflatable cupcake as he called for anyone within earshot to stop by for a sweet treat on DC’s 11th rainy day in a row on October 1.

Not long after, passersby began trickling into AU’s “flaming cupcake” for Tea Time. Held every Tuesday from 2–3 p.m., the signature event hosted by the Office of the University Chaplain is open to the entire campus community.

“What Tea Time does—and what our other fun programs do—is open the door and invite people in, no matter what,” said Doolittle, a 2002 graduate of neighboring Wesley Theological Seminary, who came to AU from North Central College in August. “It’s where everybody can feel welcome.”

Each week, up to 200 students stop by for a hot drink and a cupcake from Rise Bakery in Adams Morgan. But it’s not just about the freed food. KSLC staff are also on hand to answer questions and help students get plugged into belief communities and student groups. During religious fasting days like Ramadan, KSLC staff give away flowers instead of desserts, and during Passover, kosher snacks are on hand.

“This is an event designed to get students more comfortable with Kay Spiritual Life Center and to explore the building, which is a space for you regardless of what different beliefs you may hold or what background you come from,” said Kay associate director Morgan Redmond.

Sam Makarczyk, SPA-SIS/BA ’27, is among Tea Time’s sweet-toothed regulars. He stops by every week after his political conflict class in Kerwin Hall to chat with Kay staff and meet other students.

“It’s a perfect opportunity to grab a little quick bite to eat, especially with a nice cup of tea in this overcast weather,” said Makarczyk, a member of AU Hillel who prefers the carrot cake cupcakes. “Tea and cupcakes are a great way to decompress.”

In September, Makarczyk won the Tea Time VIP giveaway, which all attendees can enter to win each week. The prize: table service with an antique tea set with Doolittle and two friends.

“It was lovely,” Makarczyk said. “Rev. Doolittle served us tea and we had fine china—which was pretty fancy—and good conversation.” 

KSLC work study student Lily Carver, SPA/BA ’27, looks forward to helping hand out tea and cupcakes each week. She appreciates how Tea Tuesday has introduced her to more AU students and provides a respite from busy class schedules and DC’s fast-paced environment.

“Not everything has to be so crazy and chaotic all the time,” said Carver, who just marked her first anniversary working at KSLC. “When you take 10 minutes to get a cupcake, drink some tea, and hang out, it slows down your day. And it reminds us at the end of the day, we’re a community, and we’re here to have fun and support each other.”