Worship

Worship is central to the formation of Berkeley students. Students participate daily in worship in the Episcopal tradition and in ecumenical worship at Yale Divinity School. With 70% of Episcopalians now coming from other denominations, this broad liturgical formation is ideally suited to ministry in today’s congregations.

The community prays the Daily Office each weekday in St. Luke’s Chapel in the Berkeley Center. Each day we celebrate the Holy Eucharist after Morning Prayer, at our Community Eucharist, or at the YDS Community Eucharist. This worship is the backbone of students’ spiritual formation and serves as a teaching tool for liturgical celebration. Students work in Chapel Teams to participate in all aspects of worship, from preparing the services to leading worship and preaching. As a member of the Community of the Cross of Nails at Coventry Cathedral, BDS prays the Litany of Reconciliation each Friday morning in chapel.

Each Wednesday evening is a Community Eucharist held in Marquand Chapel, which includes visiting celebrants and preachers. The service is followed by a time of fellowship and hospitality with a community meal at the Berkeley Center.

Yale Divinity School services are held each weekday morning in Marquand Chapel, and express a wide variety of Christian traditions with a special emphasis on creative adaptations of many liturgical expressions. On Friday mornings, the entire YDS community gathers for Holy Communion.