Frequently Asked Questions - The ECP Worship FAQ

Who can receive communion?

All baptized Christians are warmly welcomed and encouraged to receive communion. Others are invited to come forward for a blessing. If you are not baptized – initiated in the Christian faith family – and would like to explore becoming baptized, we invite to speak with one of our chaplains. If you are attending a service with us and you are not baptized and experience an overwhelming desire to come forward to receive communion, please do so and then discuss this later with one of our chaplains.

Do students get dressed up for church?

Are you kidding? Since we are a student group, we are usually very casual. When it's warm outside, most of us will be wearing t-shirts and shorts. You will not be out of place if you just come as you are within the bounds of good taste and judgment.

As a newcomer, will I stand out at church?

We usually have between 40 and 80 students at our regular Sunday service, and we have as many as 200 at our special services throughout the year (Lessons & Carols in December, the Easter Vigil, and the Senior Service just before Commencement). Since we have such a large group, you will absolutely not stand out in the service. We will not call on you or ask you to come down front. We want you to feel comfortable worshipping with us and becoming a part of our community at your own pace.

Where in the Chapel do I go to find the service?

Since we have such a large Chapel, we hold our entire service in the chancel area or in the side chapel in the front on the left. Come in the main chapel doors at the back of the building and come all the way to the front and we'll greet you. Don't worry if you come in a little late - come on in!

Why do you have church at 9 o'clock at night?

We know what you're thinking: 9 o'clock at night is not a usual time for church. But we are not a usual church. Since we are primarily a student group, we have found that this time works best for our schedules. As any college student will tell you, it sure beats getting up early on Sunday morning. Also, the Chapel and the entire campus are very peaceful at this time, which enhances our realization that God is very close to us. Sunday night services began in the late 1960s when the service was switched to 10:00PM and changed to 9:00PM in December, 2004.

What is the Tuesday Eucharist like?

On Thursday afternoons at 4:30 there is a short service of Holy Communion in the Marquand Transept of the University Chapel. This service last about a half hour and has a short homily. It is a beautiful, quiet and peaceful service in a lovely setting - a perfect way to end your day. Everyone is welcome.

What are Wednesday nights like?

On Wednesdays during term we gather at Procter House, 53 University Place - across the street from The Daily Princetonian offices. The following quote from the Rule of St. Benedict appears by the door of our Community Room at Procter House:

All guests
who present themselves
are to be welcomed
as Christ,
for he himself will say,
"I was a stranger
and you welcomed me."

We begin our Wednesday night with an informal Eucharist at 5:30 at Procter House. Then at about 6:00 we eat a free home cooked (repeat: home cooked!) dinner as we listen to a speaker or begin a group discussion. Our speakers range from well-known Episcopalians such as George Gallup, who has discussed religion and politics, to student members of our own group who have shared their experiences with us. We always gear our topics to be interactive ones that encourage group discussion and reflection. Our program is over by 7:00, and we encourage you to come late or leave early if your schedule will not permit you to be with us for the entire evening.

Do Episcopalians read the Bible?

Do we ever! If you really know your Bible well, you will discover that our Book of Common Prayer is laced with Bible quotations and the prayers contained there are full of biblical allusions and Bible verses. In addition, we use a cyclical schedule of Bible readings at all our services that takes us through virtually the entire Bible every three years. And our custom is that the sermon or homily given at our services is almost always based on one of the Bible readings. Finally, we have Bible Study groups and frequent discussions about the Bible at our Wednesday programs.