An ecumenical and widely diverse community which gathers for worship, study and Christian community to gain perspective, insight, strength and courage. In order to live and witness as Christians in our personal relationships and our society we reach out, in actions of service and love, to places of need and injustice.
Each of those phrases needs some explanation. ECUMENICAL means that we are open to persons of every faith. Though Protestant in tradition, we cherish the traditions of many denominations in their worship and beliefs. We encourage an open sharing of theological, ethical, and cultural perspectives in the confidence that we will grow when we are challenged in our beliefs and practices, and exposed to new diversity in our experiences.
That we are WIDELY DIVERSE is obvious when you know that our staff this year includes: Episcopalians, United Church of Christ members, Roman Catholics, Baptists, and United Methodists. Each Sunday we represent 15 or more denominations, including about 20% who are Roman Catholic in heritage, plus many who have no formal religious affiliation.
Our major activity together is our Sunday worship, and the activities of study and fellowship which go with it. None of these are an end in themselves but are designed to shape our actions in class, home and work. Worship should give some PERSPECTIVE on a hectic and often confused weekly schedule. It is also our hope that the reading of scripture, the preaching, the singing and the prayer will give INSIGHT to guide our action, COURAGE to do bold and risky things and STRENGTH when we feel too small or weak by ourselves.
We are also called by Christ to SERVE those in need as we see it and are able to respond. Sometimes that will mean befriending someone who is lonesome, or volunteering to serve where there is need. For others, this service will be discussing and acting on issues of social justice which touch local, national or world concerns.
Marsh Chapel sits at the heart of the Boston University campus and serves the campus in two distinct ways. Marsh Chapel houses the Office of the University Chaplain and is also the center for the Interdenominational Christian Ministries on campus.
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