Chapel Scholars Commissioning

Chapel Student Ministries

Duke Chapel Student Ministries provides opportunities for undergraduate students to hear and respond to God's call for their lives on campus, in Durham, and beyond through study, artistic expression, counsel, service, and community. Its aim is to help students bridge faith and learning during their time at Duke, so that they can take purposeful steps in bridging their distinctive talents with the world's deepest needs.

Find the Chapel's Student Ministries team in room 0037 of the Chapel basement. To get there, enter through the basement door facing to the Bryan Center and the room will be immediately on your right.

Chapel Scholars

Chapel Scholars is an ecumenical Christian program, which means that participating students come from a wide range of Christian traditions. Many Chapel Scholar students also participate in other Religious Life groups, and are encouraged to foster a sense of cooperation and hospitality across ministry groups.

Student Engagement Opportunities

Students engage with the Chapel through a range of programs, fellowships, and groups described here:

C. Eric Lincoln Theology & Arts Fellowship

The C. Eric Lincoln Fellowship is a semester-long program that 1) provides funding to an undergraduate student for a sacred art project and 2) invites the fellow to broaden the reach of artistic expression at the Duke University Chapel. Applicants must be active undergraduates in good standing in Trinity College or the Pratt School of Engineering. The fellowship runs the length of the Spring 2019 semester. The Lincoln Fellow is expected to produce a visual art exhibit to be displayed in Duke Chapel near the end of the Spring semester.

Chapel Choirs

Chapel Music aims to create high quality musical experiences, while giving glory to God and stirring the hearts and minds of all those it reaches. Duke students are invited to join one of the Chapel’s three choirs to learn music, form friendships, and be inspired. All students interested in singing are invited to audition at the beginning of each semester.

Courses

The Chapel dean and other staff members teach courses and help organize half-credit house courses. Students are invited to enroll in these classes. This semester those courses include:

 

Grants, Awards, and Fellowships

One way the Chapel supports students and the wider Duke community in bridging faith and learning is by offering grants, awards, and fellowships for purposes ranging from community service to mission trips to training in the arts. For some awards only Duke undergraduate students are eligible; other awards are open to other people.

Duke Chapel Reads

Through Duke Chapel Reads, the Chapel aims to curate spaces for reflection and conversation, responding to recent national events and contemporary culture. The program contributes to the Chapel’s ongoing commitment to the intersection of theology and the (literary) arts through the C. Eric Lincoln Minister for Student Engagement, as well as our desire to connect with diverse communities.

Mission Trips

Each year, Student Ministries leads mission trips for undergraduate students over Spring Break. These trips provide opportunities for service, reflection, and making new friendships within the body of Christ.

 

Research Opportunities

The Chapel partners with other campus departments and units on research projects related to the Duke Chapel Recordings digital archives. Students are part of these research teams.  Projects have included:

 

Student Preacher

Each spring, one Duke undergraduate student is selected to preach in the Chapel's Sunday morning worship service. All undergraduate students are welcome to apply. Sermons should be based upon one or more of the lectionary scripture texts for that Sunday and should be on a topic deemed appropriate to the worship context.

Student Workers

The Chapel hires students for a variety of jobs from worship coordination to communications to student docents.

United in Praise

This student group is an undergraduate gospel choir that professes the Christian faith through song and dance. It is advised by the Chapel's C. Eric. Lincoln Minister for Student Engagement. Watch a video about the group:

Worship Leadership

Duke students are invited to participate in the Chapel’s weekly services by serving as ushers, lectors, communion servers, Scripture readers or also by leading prayers.