Three new weekly rhythms of worship planned for the Belmont community
As a Christ-Centered community, Belmont Chapel provides meaningful opportunities each week for students, faculty and staff to gather and reflect on the deeper meaning of their work, studies and lives. This year, Faith-Based Engagement and Church Relations, University Ministries and the Belmont Formation Collaborative are partnering to offer three distinct weekly gatherings, each centered around a different way of connecting with God.
North Star Series
Monday, 10 a.m. | Gabhart Chapel
Living out a Christian vocation does not always mean becoming a minister or chaplain. It might look like being a doctor, entrepreneur or singer-songwriter who carries the ethics of Jesus into their work. The North Star Series brings guest speakers to Chapel each week to explore what it means to live as salt, light and yeast in the world God loves, preserving, celebrating and cultivating God’s goodness.
“These are people from a wide range of professions and walks of life who are outstanding at what they do as an expression of their faith in Christ,” said Todd Lake, vice president for faith-based engagement and church relations.
While their day-to-day work may look different, these leaders are guided by the same North Star: “How do I use my gifts to serve others, animated by the love of Christ?”
For Lake, the series broadens the way students might think about a Christian vocation. “God needs faithful people in every profession, not just more ministers and missionaries,” he said.
Psalms for the SOUL
Wednesday, 10 a.m. | Gabhart Chapel
Psalms for the SOUL is a chapel series centered entirely on the Book of Psalms, which has guided believers for centuries in understanding honest relationship with God through seasons of profound joy, sorrow and doubt. That same authenticity has also made the Psalms a steady source of inspiration for songwriters, artists and storytellers throughout history.
The series offers an opportunity to explore the scriptural roots of Belmont’s SOUL framework while making space for the full range of emotions that members of the community carries with them into worship.
“The gift of the Psalms is that they take us beyond ‘what is God saying to me,’” said Adam Perez, director of university worship. “The Psalms are models of our own response to God.”
John Witvliet, chief officer for University Missional Initiatives, who is helping lead the series, sees that same emotional breadth as central to the Psalms’ distinct value within worship.
“They contain such a profound emotional range that connects with every possible kind of human experience,” he said.
Friday Fellowship
Friday, 10 a.m. | Gabhart Chapel
Friday Fellowship is a shorter, more informal gathering built for connection as much as reflection. Students, faculty and staff can expect 25 minutes of music, prayer and reflection, followed by 25 minutes dedicated to simply being together.
“Fridays bring an intentional focus on the arts and community building rather than teaching or preaching,” shared Witvliet. “Each week offers a different theme woven together through music, scripture and shared reflection.”
Amid the busyness of campus life, the second half of Friday Fellowship carves out a space for attendees to gather with no agenda.
“This time is intended to encourage students, faculty and staff to build community in and around worship,” shared Perez.
New Rhythms for the Whole Community
Taken together, these chapel offerings reflect Belmont’s mission in practice. Through the North Star Series, students encounter exemplars of faithful service across a broad range of professions. Through Psalms for the SOUL, they are invited to engage honestly with their own emotions before God Through Friday Fellowship, they have opportunities to build meaningful relationships centered around worship and community.
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