Holiday music and worship at Memorial Church
A series of public events at Memorial Church, including worship services, guest choirs, and other musical offerings, mark the winter holiday season on campus.
Stanford will offer a series of Advent and Christmas events, open to the campus and surrounding communities, at Memorial Church in the coming weeks.
“Stanford is excited to continue Advent and Christmas celebrations on campus, and to welcome students, postdocs, staff, and faculty, along with neighbors from the Bay Area and beyond,” said the Rev. Dr. Sakena Young-Scaggs, who is pastor of Memorial Church and senior associate dean for religious and spiritual life. “Even as our world grapples with serious issues, we are grateful to be able to come together for messages of hope, reassurance, and joy.”
Services include University Public Worship on Sundays throughout Advent, which began Nov. 27 and continues through Dec. 18. These services offer ecumenical worship for people across many diverse Christian denominations and identities, and include sermons from Stanford deans and staff. Memorial Church doors open at 10:30 a.m. and services begin at 11 a.m.
The Stanford University Chamber Chorale, under the direction of Steve Sano, will join Dr. Robert Huw Morgan and the Memorial Church Choir for the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, a service of word and music in the tradition of King’s College Chapel, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 9, and Saturday, Dec. 10.
Holiday music continues with the Messiah Sing Along on Friday, Dec. 16, at 7:30 p.m. and the Annual Holiday Organ Recital at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 18.
This year, Memorial Church will welcome two choirs to Christmas Eve services, the Colorful Universe Academy Children’s Choir, under the direction of Lin Pan, at the festive, family-friendly service at 4 p.m., and the Allen Temple Baptist Church Women’s Choir, under the direction of Sandra Iglehart, at the contemplative, candlelight service at 8 p.m.
Roman Catholic Masses, hosted by the Catholic Community at Stanford, will include Midnight Mass and Christmas Day Mass at 12:30 p.m.
The Memorial Church celebrations are among a number of events being celebrated by religious communities across the university during December.
“In addition to the ecumenical Christian celebrations at Memorial Church, we at Stanford also mark holy days across our multi-faith community. This month our campus observes Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Yule, and Kwanzaa, among other winter festivities,” said Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life Tiffany L. Steinwert. “Being part of a vibrant, diverse community gives us the unique opportunity to both observe our own traditions and meaningfully connect to those of others.”
Holiday events at Memorial Church do not require tickets or advance registration. Reflecting changes in health protocols from last year, face coverings are not mandatory but are strongly recommended.