Holiday worship and music at Memorial Church
Worship services, choral performances, and more are open to the campus and surrounding communities during the winter holiday season.
On Dec. 4, the Filipino American Community at Stanford and the Pilipino American Student Union hosted a “Simbang Gabi” Catholic Mass at Memorial Church, uniting students, alumni, staff, and the wider community in tradition and faith. (Image credit: H. Taghap)
Advent and Christmas events are underway at Memorial Church, offering the campus community and general public opportunities to participate in events ranging from worship services to festive musical offerings.
“Stanford welcomes all to our campus Advent and Christmas celebrations. We look forward to seeing students, postdocs, staff, and faculty, as well as neighbors from across the Bay Area, join together for these special events,” said the Rev. Dr. Sakena Young-Scaggs, who is pastor of Memorial Church and senior associate dean for religious and spiritual life.
Advent-focused University Public Worship on Sundays began Dec. 3 and continues through Dec. 17. Stanford deans and staff will preach and lead these ecumenical services for worshipers from many diverse Christian denominations and identities, but also welcome those from other and no faith traditions. Memorial Church doors open at 10:30 a.m. and services begin at 11 a.m.
The Stanford University Chamber Chorale, directed by Professor Steve Sano, and the Memorial Church Choir will sing during the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols, a service of word and music, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8, and Saturday, Dec. 9.
University organist Dr. Robert Huw Morgan will present a program of festive organ works celebrating the season at 1:30 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 17.
The Ecumenical Christmas Eve Family Service will again feature the Colorful Universe Academy Children’s Choir, under the direction of Lin Pan, at 4 p.m. Those attending may bring new, unwrapped toys or children’s books for children in need. Later that evening, a second ecumenical gathering – a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service – begins at 8 p.m.
Simbang Gabi at Memorial Church on Dec. 4, 2023. (Image credit: H. Taghap)
Roman Catholic Masses, hosted by the Catholic Community at Stanford, will include Midnight Mass and Christmas Day Mass at 12:30 p.m. Immaculate Conception Masses are planned for 8 a.m. and 12:20 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 8.
In addition to the Memorial Church events, other faith and spiritual communities across the university community are celebrating holy days.
“Stanford is fortunate to have such a wide range of faith traditions and celebrations in the coming days and weeks, including Bodhi Day, Hanukkah, Yule, Kwanzaa, and other winter festivities,” said Dean for Religious and Spiritual Life Tiffany L. Steinwert. “This enables us to celebrate our own traditions, and take joy in seeing and learning about those that are meaningful to our classmates and colleagues.”
