From weekly chapel to meditative prayer services—and much more in between—worship plays a central role at Candler School of Theology. Throughout the year, students, faculty, staff and guests gather regularly to lift their voices to God, connecting the many Christian traditions within the Candler community. And this year, there’s a new service in the mix.

The 2015–2016 academic year begins on Wednesday, August 26, with a new worship offering at 7:30 a.m. in the Wesley Teaching Chapel. Morning Prayer, a calm, 25-minute service, features Psalms, Scripture, prayers, and occasional chants. One of the two main Daily Offices (along with Evening Prayer) in the Christian tradition, it derives from the practice developed in the fifth and sixth centuries of praying at specified hours. Candler follows an ecumenical order of service taken from the Upper Room Worshipbook. Morning Prayer will be observed every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday morning.

Candler’s first full week of worship begins Tuesday, September 1. A Service of Word and Table, which includes both preaching and Communion, takes place at 11:05 a.m. in Cannon Chapel each Tuesday. Each Thursday morning features a Service of Word (without Communion) at 11:05 a.m. in Cannon Chapel. Tuesday and Thursday worship services in Cannon Chapel are also available via livestreaming. On Wednesdays at 5:30 p.m. in Cannon Chapel, Candler’s Episcopal Studies program leads a service grounded in traditional Anglican liturgy offering either Holy Eucharist or Evensong. Rounding out the week is a regular Midday Eucharist service, held on Fridays at 11:05 a.m. in the Wesley Teaching Chapel, a 25-minute service featuring Psalms, prayers, Holy Communion, and meditation on the Gospel reading.

In keeping with Candler’s ecumenical commitments, worship this fall will be led by a host of faculty, students, and alumni from different traditions. Special guest preachers include Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster 73T 82T, resident bishop in the Western North Carolina Conference of The United Methodist Church, who will preach on Thursday, September 17. Candler’s Black Church Studies Program sponsors the service on Tuesday, October 15, featuring the Rev. Traci D. Blackmon, pastor of Christ the King United Church of Christ in Florissant, Missouri. The Rev. Suzii Paynter, executive coordinator of the Cooperative Baptist Fellowship, will preach on Thursday, November 12, and the Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb, president of the Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Jordan and the Holy Land, will preach on Thursday, November 19.

For the full worship schedule for fall, visit the Worship & Music section of Candler’s website.