Worship & Spiritual Formation

The worship of God is at the heart of life at Candler. Honoring the diversity of our community, we live into the Wesleyan value of ecumenical openness, worshiping together in many different styles and Christian traditions, from Benedictine to Baptist, Anglican to Quaker, AME to UMC. Our gathering around Word and Table sustains us for witness to the world.

Worship Livestream

Worship through the week

The Candler community gathers in Cannon Chapel for corporate worship on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:05 a.m. Come in person or join us via livestream! Midweek, our Episcopal/Anglican program hosts a service of Evensong or Eucharist, and we close out the week with Holy Communion on Fridays in the intimate space of the Wesley Teaching Chapel.

View the worship schedule
women singing in worship

Social media that’s good for the spirit

In addition to regular worship services, the Candler community—and the wider world!—can engage in devotional moments via the Candler Worship social media channels. Weekly Monday Meditations and Friday Reflections are excellent reminders to attend to our spiritual health during our busy lives by pausing for moments of prayer, meditation and centering.

Candler Worship on Facebook
young adult woman praying

Worship planning as a team effort

Worship Planning Teams are led by student staff in the Office of Worship and coordinated and mentored by Khalia Williams, associate dean of worship and spiritual formation. The teams plan and organize all aspects of the worship services, including recruiting and training readers, greeters, communion servers, writers and other artists.

To get involved, share your feedback, or ask a question:

Email Dean Williams
four people setting up communion altar

Music in Worship

Candler students are encouraged to volunteer their gifts as instrumentalists, vocalists and liturgical dancers, either individually or in small ensembles, or to join one of the established choirs: the Candler Singers, the Candler Chorale, and the Candler Voices of Imani. The larger Emory University choirs, orchestra, and wind and percussion ensembles also are open to Candler students.

For more information, email Associate Dean of Worship and Spiritual Formation Khalia Williams.

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The singers and instrumentalists in The Candler Singers are all students preparing for ministry in the church, the academy and the world. They come from a variety of Christian denominations and from several nations, including South Korea, Canada and the United States.

In addition to leading in worship each week, The Candler Singers perform at a wide range of churches, regional events and denominational gatherings across the Southeast. They have been a featured choir in worship and in concerts during the quadrennial General Conferences of The United Methodist Church in 2004, 2008, 2012, and 2016.

Auditions for the Singers are held every August during the first week of classes. For more information, email David Daniel, director of chapel music and director of The Candler Singers.

The Candler Chorale is open to all members of the community and is available for credit. The Chorale rehearses and sings weekly. For more information, email David Daniel, director of The Candler Chorale.

The Candler Voices of Imani is open to all members of the community and is available for credit. Voices of Imani rehearses weekly and sings in chapel several times each semester. For more information, email David Daniel.

Candler Firsthand

Hear what these students and alums have to say about the power of Candler worship.

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Kristen Wright at commencement 2019

“Candler worship services highlight the diverse body of Christ and the immeasurable ways humanity can worship the Divine! Attending chapel was a welcome respite from the stress of class and work, and a continual reminder that God is bigger than my limited experience.”

Kristen Curtis Wright

MDiv '19

Taniecia McFarlane
Taniecia McFarlane

“One of the most impactful parts of Candler has been weekly worship services. The diversity of the worship services has been restorative, challenging,  inspiring, and introspective.”

Taniecia McFarlane

MTS '23

Kristen Wright at commencement 2019
Kristen Wright at commencement 2019

“Candler worship services highlight the diverse body of Christ and the immeasurable ways humanity can worship the Divine! Attending chapel was a welcome respite from the stress of class and work, and a continual reminder that God is bigger than my limited experience.”

Kristen Curtis Wright

MDiv '19

Emily Elizabeth Castelloe standing outside of Cannon Chapel
Emily Elizabeth Castelloe standing outside of Cannon Chapel

“Working in the Office of Spiritual Life changed the way I understood ministry. I grew with people who supported, challenged, and encouraged me to go deeper into my faith and studies. Being a part of a team serving the Candler community was an incredibly meaningful and gratifying experience.”

Emily Elizabeth Castelloe

MDiv '23

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