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Westcott House
 

Westcott House • Jesus Lane • Cambridge • CB5 8BP   Tel 01223 741000 • Fax 01223 741002
e-mail: general-enquiries@westcott.cam.ac.uk

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Cambridge Theological Federation

Worship

Worship on the lawn at Westcott House

Chapel Card Lent 2012

The "Common Worship" of the Church of England is the core of Westcott House as a worshipping community and the diversity it expresses is reflected in the ordinands here at any one time. We use the Book of Common Prayer periodically through the year in ways that enable students to be immersed in its rhythms and at home with the language.

The Eucharist and Daily Offices are the centre of worship in Westcott House. They are times when the community comes together to offer themselves to God as a part of the body of Christ. In the daily offices of morning and evening prayer we join with the church throughout the world in thanks and praise. This basic orientation towards God in the daily discipline of prayer forms us in discipleship through our ongoing creative engagement with the psalmody and scripture.

Worship in the chapel at Westcott House

Community Eucharist on Thursday evenings is the focus of the worshipping week in Westcott House (on Sundays students are sent out in a diaconal spirit to help in, and to worship with, local parish churches and college chapels). Community Eucharists are organized by tutor groups, and hold both continuity and variety – particularly in music! – as we live through the liturgical year. We see the eucharist as central to our formation as Christians and as the body of Christ. It is the heart of our relationship with God, and our participation in His mission.

“In my time at Westcott I have experienced a broad spectrum of the Church of England traditions here, even though the college is chiefly set in the catholic tradition. Most crucially I have been given the opportunity to be involved in the planning of services outside of my background and tradition.”
Alison Craven

Many students find that their spirituality is also informed and deepened by participation in the daily eucharist. participation and Westcott House ensures that there is a eucharist offered every day. Many find that Compline, which we sing every evening, provides a prayerful and reflective end to the day. Some students gather for prayer and praise meetings, or to say the rosary together. The relaxed and supportive environment of Westcott House encourages students to take worship in its many forms seriously without feeling the pressures of conformity.

Tuesday evenings give us an opportunity to experience different forms or models of worship. This happens through the fortnightly Federation service, when staff and students of the Cambridge Theological Federation come together for shared worship, and on other Tuesdays when different groups of students in Westcott design and lead the evening worship service.