#  Spiritual Gatherings at HDS 

 



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 ![HDs student lighting a candle during the 2019 Seasons of Light service](/sites/g/files/omnuum5526/files/hds2/files/spiritualgatheringsbanner-12042018-028.jpg)

 

HDS supports the separate meetings of nearly two dozen religious and spiritual organizations on our campus. From daily morning prayer in The Memorial Church to weekly yoga classes, and from Friday afternoon Unitarian Universalist services to Tuesday morning Eucharist in the Christian tradition, opportunities abound for students and employees of many traditions to engage in religious observances at HDS. Some religious services are open to the public and can be found on the [Public Events Calendar](/news/public-events-calendar "Public Events Calendar"). For services open only to students, faculty, and staff, please see the [HDS Community Events Calendar](https://my.hds.harvard.edu/life-hds/events-calendars) on the HDS intranet (HarvardKey login required).

**Tuesday Morning Eucharist** (ecumenical, in the Christian tradition): An Ecumenical Eucharist is celebrated on Tuesdays at 8:30 am, preceded by silent meditation at 8:15 am, in the Multifaith Space in Swartz Hall during the fall and spring semesters. A rotation of faculty and staff preside and students, faculty, and staff preach.

**Weekly Sitting Meditation**: Please check the [HDS Community Events calendar](https://my.hds.harvard.edu/life-hds/events-calendars) (HarvardKey login required) for the day and time. In the Swartz Hall Multifaith Space.

**Wednesday Noon Service**: Held Wednesdays from noon to 12:45 pm during the fall and spring semesters, Noon Service is hosted each week by a different religious community of the HDS campus, and overseen by a steering committee of students and the RSL staff, this service allows all in the HDS community to pray, meditate, and/or engage in rituals with our companions across the boundaries of our many respective traditions. Each service begins and ends with ritual elements led by the Noon Service Steering Committee to gather and send us out with words and movements that can be shared by all. The host community of the week designs and leads the center of the service to share the unique particularities of its tradition as much as possible with those inside and outside their community. Our director of music and ritual oversees the community choir for the Wednesday Noon Service. Vocalists and instrumentalists of all abilities are encouraged to participate in the lively music program of the School.

**Student Religious and Spiritual Organizations’ Weekly or Monthly Gatherings** for prayer, meditation, worship, and spiritual practice (approximately 25 such groups each year)

**Hear and Now**: Small interreligious spiritual support and accompaniment groups for students meet every week during the academic year.

**Interfaith Friendships**: Pairings by RSL of HDS students from different religious/spiritual backgrounds for monthly meetings over coffee, visits to each other’s spiritual communities, or any other activities of their choice.

**Beverages with the Chaplain Interns**: Join the RSL chaplain interns for coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or cold drinks twice a week during the fall and spring semesters.

**Special Annual Multireligious Services**: The Office of the Chaplain and Religious and Spiritual Life also arranges special annual multireligious services, such as the Seasons of Light celebration in December and the Commencement Service in May, and supports student groups as they plan special services for holy days and seasons.