Services and Music for Advent and Christmas 2023
Download Services and Music for Advent and Christmas 2023
Taizé Service
Tuesday 28 November, 6.10pm
All are welcome to join us for music and prayer from the Taizé Community, as we look towards Advent. Led by the University Chaplain and Chapel Choir.
Madrigirls Service by Candlelight – Ticketed
Sunday 3 December, 6pm & 8pm
‘There is a flower sprung from a tree’
Join Madrigirls for their much-loved annual service of music and readings for Advent. This year Madrigirls take inspiration from the poetry of the Middle Ages, with medieval carols alongside more contemporary works. Tickets £6 (includes donation to Shelter).
Book now at www.madrigirls.org.uk
Advent Service of Lessons and Music
Tuesday 5 December, 6.10pm
New for 2023, the Honorary Anglican Chaplains lead an Advent service with the Chapel Choir.
University Service of Nine Lessons & Carols
Sunday 10 December, 6pm
A traditional service, with readers from the University community, sung by the Chapel Choir with the University Organist. Come along ready to sing – and early, to avoid disappointment! (NOTE: this service will be recorded for later broadcast by BBC Radio Scotland)
Family Carol Service – Ticketed
Tuesday 12 December, 6.10pm
Join us in the Memorial Chapel for an informal service - ready to sing and wearing your Christmas jumpers! Children welcome. Carols in the cloisters following the service.
https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/family-carols-tickets-717057256557/
Carols in the Cloisters
Tuesday 12 December, 6.45pm
All are welcome to join us for carol singing with the Chapel Choir in the cloisters.
A Christmas Come-and-Sing – Ticketed
Monday 18 December, 6pm
Join the University Chapel Choir for an evening of singing, featuring well-known tunes and more challenging festive carols. Tickets £12/£6. Bring your copy of 100 Carols for Choirs, or borrow one from us on the day. Carol books will also be available for purchase.
https://tinyurl.com/yc5aujyx
Find us
The Chaplaincy Offices are situated on level 2 of the Main Building, West Quadrangle adjacent to the Memorial Chapel.
Get directions
Accessible entrance to Chapel Chapel entrance from West Quadrangle
Chapel entrance Professor Square Chapel Entrance leading to Chaplaincy Offices

Welcome to the Chaplaincy!

Spiritual Life in the Chapel
Christian Morning Prayer Service
Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays during Semesters, 8.45 - 8.55am Zoom link
- Trinity College Service
Tuesdays during Semesters, 12:15 – 1pm - GU Student Iona Community Worship
Thursdays during Semesters, 12:15 – 1pm
- Anglican Services 2023-2024 - Semester 1
At 18:00 on the following Tuesdays:
Choral Eucharist 17 October
Choral Evensong 3 October 7 November 5 December
Contact: ugac.online for further details
- Taizé Services 2023-2024 - Semester 1
At 18:00 on the following Tuesdays:
26 September 24 October 28 November - University Service of Nine Lessons and Carols
18:00 Sunday 10 December
Chapel Music: Concerts and Organ Recitals
Photo credit: Harry Campbell
The University of Glasgow Chapel Choir provides music for services and events in the chapel and elsewhere, as well as giving concerts and recitals throughout the academic year, such as the weekly "Choral Contemplations" series in the first and second terms. It also records and tours nationally and internationally, has recorded several CDs, and is available for weddings and memorial services.
- The choir is directed by Katy Lavinia Cooper (Director of Chapel Music) and accompanied by Kevin Bowyer (University Organist)
- Details of Chapel Choir Concerts and Events Events will be streamed wherever possible. Please check back for links to online events.
Friday Celebrity Organ Concerts and Wednesday Lunchtime Organ Concerts 2023-2024
- Wednesday Lunchtime Concerts: 1.10 - 1.50pm
- Friday Celebrity Concerts: 6 pm
Details to follow.
Funded by The Ferguson Bequest
Professor Thomas Ferguson (1900-1977), Henry Mechan Chair of Public Health (1944-64), bequeathed his estate to the University, with the instruction that the money should be used to foster the social side of University life
The Chapel Organ was built by Henry Willis III in 1927 and was most recently refurbished by Harrison & Harrison of Durham in 2005.
Please see Chapel Organ Specification
Calligraphy Sessions as Meditation with the International Study Group: Interfaith Room, Tuesdays 12-2pm, 1 August - 5 December 2023
Honorary International Chaplains, Yushin and Fumi from Japan Desk Scotland, will be delighted to welcome you to the Interfaith Room on Tuesdays 12-2pm for Calligraphy as meditation from 1 August - 5 December 2023. All materials provided.
To find the Interfaith Room: from the West Quadrangle, enter door adjacent to the Chapel (where the Chaplaincy welcome sign is), then turn immediate left and down the stairs. We look forward to seeing you!
Contact details for GU Student Clubs and Societies
View previous Chapel Services
2021 - 2022
Tuesday 15 February
Taizé Music and Prayer
A reflective service or prayer and music, led by the University Chaplain and the Chapel Choir. Our monthly Taizé services offer a reflective, inclusive and meditative space at the end of the day.
Tuesday 2 February
Choral Evensong
Led by The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth and The Rev Canon Oliver Brewer-Lennon, Honorary Anglican Chaplains
Tuesday 18 January
Taizé Music and Prayer
A reflective service or prayer and music with Father Stephen Reillyand the University Chapel Choir.
20 November 2021
Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR): An online service reflecting upon the tragic loss of life of those who identify as Transgender.
Tuesday 2 November, 6pm
Choral Evensong for COP26
Led by the Honorary Anglican Chaplains with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music accompanied by Kevin Bowyer, University Organist.
Including the first performance of a new work for choir by Harold Thalange, commissioned by the University of Glasgow as part of the ‘Dear Green Bothy’ project.
Tuesday October 19 , 6pm
Taize Service: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music
Tuesday 5 October, 6pm
Choral Evensong
Led by The Very Rev Kelvin Holdsworth and The Rev Canon Oliver Brewer-Lennon, Honorary Anglican Chaplains
2020-2021
Tuesday 23 March, 6pm
Choral Contemplations
University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
March 16 Tuesday, 6pm
Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music
March 14 Sunday, 11am
University Cathedral Service
March 9 Tuesday
Choral Contemplations
University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 2 March
Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 23 February
Choral Contemplations:Bute Hall Windows-Doctors of the Church
Online via Chapel Choir YouTube and Facebook
Wednesday 17 Feb
Ash Wednesday Service Coronach: Lenten Lamentation
A service of music and reflection to begin the Christian season of Lent
Tuesday 16 February
Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 9 February Choral Contemplations
Online via Chapel Choir YouTube and Facebook
Tuesday 2 February Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 26 January Choral Contemplations: Bute Hall Windows I - Robert Burns
University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 19 January Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 12 January Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Sunday 13 December Service of Lessons and Carols
Sunday 6 December Madrigirls Advent Service
Tuesday 1 December Taizé Music and Prayers
Led by Rev Dr.Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the University Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
Tuesday 17 November, 18:00 Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation
Sunday 15 November 08:10 Sunday Worship Radio 4
Rev Dr Doug Gay, Principal of Trinity College, Glasgow, and Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, Chaplain to Glasgow University explore the mixed feelings experienced when faith has to reckon with the complexities of life on Radio 4 at 08:10 Sunday 15 November.
Tuesday 3 November 18:00 - Taizé Music and Prayers.
Led by Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music
Explore Taizé
Tuesday 20 October 18:00 - Vespers: prayer, reflection on scripture and music for contemplation.
Led by Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly, University Chaplain with the Chapel Choir conducted by Katy Cooper, Director of Chapel Music.
The Road to Emmaus: part 1.
Online service from the University of Glasgow Chaplain, Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.
This Too Shall Pass: Reflections on the Emmaus Road, part 2
Online service from the University of Glasgow Chaplain, Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.
Stay With Us: Reflections on the Emmaus Road, part 3
Online service from the University of Glasgow Chaplain, Rev Dr Carolyn Kelly.
Archive of Chapel Art Exhibitions
- Tracing the art of a Stolen Generation, the child artists of Carrolup.
Thursday 6 October – Thursday 10 November.
Remarkable artwork and stories provide opportunities for truthful conversations about the impact of colonisation, the Stolen Generations, and the rights of children today. -
Festival of Science: Using Photography to Explore Social Issues
16 November - 7 January 2022
A Photographic Exhibition on the topics of 'End of Life' and 'Financial Hardship' -
7 DAYS by Carol Marples, artist for the Soul Marks Trust
Monday 1st November - Friday 26th November 20217 DAYS aims to cause us to reflect on the gift of creation. Our role and our place in it, what past and present effects our actions or inactions have caused, and the choices we now make in caring for and repairing it.
Taking as a starting point the ancient Hebrew text of Genesis, Chapter 1- telling of the seven days of creation - seven panels, (1M x 1M) were created from re-purposed fabrics, gold-leaf, emulsion, candle wax and thread. From Mid-July to mid-October the panels were installed in seven different gardens therefore handing the works over to the various situational and elemental environments of these places. Changes to the panels over these eight weeks are being documented by the artist – available to see on Soul Marks social media sites and Website. The seven panels will be exhibited during COP26 – in whatever state they have evolved to.
Carol gave a talk on the work's conception and process on 25 Novemberhttp://www.soulmarks.co.uk/7-days-a/
Soul Marks Trust is a registered Scottish Charity: SC 034403 - Gardner and Gardner : From time to time….’
Monday 13 September - Friday 15th October 2021
In the unique, contemplative environment of the 1929, University of Glasgow Memorial Chapel. The kinetic installation was a visual meditation on text found in the biblical book of Ecclesiastes. Originally written in Hebrew, sometime between the 5th and 2nd Century B.C, the ancient text catalogues in fourteen couplets the times and seasons of human experience, not instructional but observational.
Listen to:
Ecclesiastes ch3 vv1-8 read in Englishby Ishbel McFarlane, performer and theatre maker: You Tube link
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 (Kohelet) read in Hebrewby Rabbi Aharon Lemberger: You Tube link: You Tube link
The couplets, transposed onto paper, are set within the tension and balance of a mobile; its movement causing the perforated words to be both revealed and obscured.
‘From time to time…’ invited us to pause and consider the world as it is. There is wisdom in giving such attention and doing so can help us navigate the sorrows and the joys of human experience.
gardnerandgardner.co.uk
- Tears of Gold - Stories of Women Displaced from Home
Friday 11 - Thursday 17 June 2021
In Hannah Rose Thomas’ portraits we come face to face with the grief and loss of bodily integrity, with the integrity of human lives lived within the environment. In the portraits we come face to face with women (and men) who have been displaced and we see into a future that we have a chance to change, into suffering that might be prevented.
Supported by The Dear Green Bothy, a collaborative cultural programme from the University of Glasgow’s College of Arts showcasing creative and critical responses to climate emergency
#TheDearGreenBothy @UofGArts
Should you have any questions please email unesco-rila@glasgow.ac.uk
Part of Refugee Festival Scotland 2021
#RefugeeFestScot
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Book an appointment here or via MyGlasgow for Students Appointment Booking Service.
Useful Links:
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