University Public Worship
Time: Every Sunday at 10:00 AM
Location: Memorial Church (also known as “MemChu”)
Protestant Ecumenical Christian worship featuring outstanding choral and organ music as well as thoughtful speakers and preachers from diverse religious traditions including the Stanford University Dean for Religious Life, Rev. Scotty McLennan; Senior Associate Dean Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann and Associate Dean Rev. Joanne Sanders. Holy Communion offered twice each month; Sacrament of Baptism offered twice (Fall and Spring) during the academic year. Multifaith services featuring student speakers, musicians and vocalists are held throughout the academic year. Students, staff, faculty, alumni, visitors and community members are always welcome to this engaging, nourishing and thoughtful service of worship.
Memorial Church has historically been an important center of spiritual and ceremonial life at Stanford University. It is open to anyone anywhere on the spiritual journey on Sunday mornings at 10:00 a.m. in this spectacular and sacred venue.
If one is interested in volunteering at UPW as an usher, reader or Communion assistant, email [email protected].
Upcoming University Public Worship Services
August 5*: Dean Scotty McLennan (View Order of Service 8/5/12)
August 12: Dean Scotty McLennan (View Order of Service 8/12/12)
August 19*: Rev. Joanne Sanders (View Order of Service 8/19/12)
August 26: Rev. Joanne Sanders (View Order of Service 8/26/12)
September 2*: Rev Joanne Sanders (View Order of Service 9/2/12)
September 9: Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann (View Order of Service 9/9/12)
September 16*: Dean Scotty McLennan (View Order of Service 9/16/12)
September 23: Dean Scotty McLennan (View Order of Service 9/23/12)
September 30: Multifaith Celebration of Spiritual Life at Stanford (View Order of Service 9/30/12)
October 7: Dean Scotty McLennan (View Order of Service 10/7/12)
October 14: Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann (View Order of Service 10/14/12)
October 21*: Dean Scotty McLennan (View Order of Service 10/21/12)
October 28*: Rosa Lee Harden, guest preacher (View Order of Service 10/28/12)
November 4*: Baptism Sunday: Mary Greene, guest preacher (View Order of Service 11/4/12)
November 11*: Rev. Joanne Sanders
November 18: Dean Scotty McLennan
November 25: Rabbi Patricia Karlin-Neumann
December 2*: Dean Scotty McLennan
December 9*: Rev. Joanne Sanders
December 16: Dean Scotty McLennan
*denotes Communion service
UPW Rebroadcasts
KZSU 90.1 FM rebroadcasts University Public Worship on the Internet at kzsulive.stanford.edu and on 90.1 FM every Sunday at 11:30 am.
Recent Sermon Text and Podcasts:
Archived sermons and link for audio (hosted by iTunesU) can be found in the Media section.
SOULS (Students Organizing Unique Liturgical Settings)
This is a group of undergraduate, graduate and professional students who would like to be more involved in University Public Worship (UPW) that has been offered at Memorial Church since its dedication in 1903. There are two ways to participate:
An opportunity for students to build community and gather for dinner, fellowship, and wide-ranging conversation about religion and spirituality takes place monthly at Dean Scotty McLennan’s residence on campus.
Additionally, there is opportunity for involvement with UPW by reading, helping with Communion and ushering, as well as providing input and perspective on what might draw more students to this historically open, progressive and inclusive worship experience in the Protestant Christian tradition. Once per month, there is a multifaith service that involves students and others from a wide range of religious and spiritual traditions.All students from diverse religious and spiritual traditions are welcome to join SOULS.
Information is available from Associate Dean Joanne Sanders at [email protected] or Dean Scotty McLennan at [email protected].
