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Statement from the 2004-05 Catalogue

Communal worship and prayer are an integral part of a person’s preparation for ministry. In addition to attending services in local churches, the members of the Bangor Theological Seminary community assemble regularly for worship on each campus. Seminary worship brings students, staff, and faculty into a living encounter with God as the true source and undergirding of our lives, forms and sustains us as members of the Body of Christ, and encourages and empowers us as a community of the Spirit active in the world. Worship is at the heart of all we do, so regular attendance and participation by students is strongly encouraged. 

Our worship also exhibits the ecumenical character of the Seminary, as particular services are conducted according to the various church traditions represented in our community. Chapel Services fulfill educational purposes as well. With the opportunity to plan and lead community worship themselves, students develop their own skills in the arts of liturgy and preaching. Our three chapels-the David Nelson Beach chapel, the prayer chapel, and the chapel space of the Portland campus-contain moveable seating and furniture, which allow us considerable flexibility in the ways we gather for worship.   

An active Worship Committee composed of teachers, students, and local ministers coordinates campus worship services, and meets monthly to help foster and administer the Seminary’s various worship opportunities. Its website, www.bts.edu/btsworship  has current information about these opportunities, as well as a calendar of upcoming services, lectionary readings, and worship leaders.

The Seminary Choir practices once a week and sings in the Bangor chapel services. As members of the choir, students have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills useful in worship leadership.

Statement of Gender-Neutral Language

From the 2004-2005 Catalogue

Bangor Theological Seminary charges its members to work faithfully against discrimination and oppression.  Language may and often does reflect and perpetuate unjust divisions and distortions within the human family of God.   Therefore, while respecting the right to express one's faith, the Seminary calls upon everyone to employ language, written and oral, which affirms the dignity of all persons and communicates the gospel as the liberating and healing Word of God.