Spiritual Life

Christ has granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence
2 Peter 1:3

The Anglican College of and within the University of Sydney

St Paul’s College is a Christian foundation in the Anglican tradition which welcomes members from any faith background or none. The College was founded on, and remains committed to, teachings that are established by the authority of the Bible for Christ has “granted to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us to His own glory and excellence” (2 Peter 1:3). Furthermore, as an Anglican College, our expression of the Christian faith is both reformed and catholic, summed up in the three historic Christian Creeds and in the doctrines of the Anglican Church of Australia as set down in the Book of Common Prayer (1662). The chaplaincy and Chapel experience at St Paul’s encourages spiritual exploration and reflection.  We offer a range of Anglican worship services each morning and evening throughout the semester, both said and choral.

The Chapel

The Chapel of St Paul’s College was consecrated in 1960 by the Most Reverend Hugh Rowlands Gough, Archbishop of Sydney 1959-1966. It stands as both the spiritual and liturgical heart of the life of this the College’s Anglican identity and worship which is primarily and outwardly expressed through the public reading of scripture and preaching, through the administration of the sacraments and through prayer.

During Semester, daily liturgies are said or sung according to The Book of Common Prayer (1662), An Australian Prayer Book(1978) or A Prayer Book for Australia(1995). Choral Evensong is sung each Tuesday evening from 5:30pm with a sermon by the Chaplain, the Warden, a Clerical Fellow of the College or visiting preacher at the Chaplain’s invitation. Details of other regular said services and for Feast Days are published on the College’s website and noticeboards.

Important annual services held in the Chapel include Welcome Week and Commencement Services, University and College Evensong, ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day commemorative services, College and University Academic Evensong, Valedictory Evensong, and the annual Festival of Lessons and Carols.

All members of the College community from any or no faith background are warmly welcome to attend any of our worship services.

CHAPEL

Chapel Services

Chapel Services Semester 1 2021

St Paul’s College expresses its collegiality and hospitality chiefly as we meet and dine in Hall and when we take time out of the busyness of life to gather in the Chapel.

The College is unlike any other at the University in that it has a fulltime resident Chaplain and that it offers a number of regular weekly services during semester.  All resident and staff members of the College are warmly invited to attend, no matter their faith background or if they come from none.

*The Lord’s Supper or Holy Communion is also celebrated on the First Monday of the Month at 8:30am and on certain Feast Days. 

Other special services such as ANZAC Day & Remembrance Day, Holy Week, the Easter Vigil, Easter, the Ascension, Nine Lessons & Carols and Christmas will be advised separately.

Monday           8:30am       Morning Prayer* – (20 mins)
Monday           5:30pm        Evening Prayer – (20 mins)

Tuesday          8:30am        Morning Prayer – (20 mins)
Tuesday          5:30pm        Sung Evensong – (45 mins)

Wednesday    8:30am         Morning Prayer – (20 mins)
Wednesday    5:30pm         Evening Prayer – (20 mins)

Thursday        8:30am        Morning Prayer- (20 mins)
Thursday        5:30pm        Evening Prayer – (20 mins)

Friday              8:30am        Morning Prayer – (20 mins)
Friday              12 noon        The Lord’s Supper* (30 mins)

Chapel Services for Holy Week and Easter 2021

Monday in Holy Week: 8:30am Morning Prayer – (20 mins)

5:30pm Holy Communion – (30 mins)

Tuesday in Holy Week: 8:30am Morning Prayer – (20 mins)

5:30pm Choral Communion – (45 mins)

Wednesday in Holy Week: 8:30am Morning Prayer – (20 mins)

5:30pm Holy Communion – (30 mins)

Maundy Thursday: 8:30am Morning Prayer – (20 mins)

12 noon Holy Communion – (30 mins)

Good Friday: 9:00am Morning Prayer and the Litany – (20 mins)

9:30am The Passion Narrative from John’s Gospel – (30 mins) – Followed by Hot Cross Buns in the Chapel Quad

Easter Day: 9:30am Holy Communion – (30 mins) – Followed by Easter Eggs in the Chapel Quad

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The Chapel Choir

As the Psalmist reminds us, “I will praise the name of God with a song, and will magnify him with thanksgiving” (Psalm 69:30). It is precisely for this that St Paul’s College (like many other colleges in leading universities in Australia, the UK, and elsewhere, as well as cathedrals and other churches) has a fine choral tradition offering a high standard of church music. The St Paul’s College Chapel Choir consists of students from both our Undergraduate and Graduate communities as well as from The Women’s College. Paulines keen to audition for the Choir should contact the Director of Music, Mr David Drury via e-mail ddrury@stpauls.edu.au

The Chapel organ was built by the Dutch organ company, DA Flentrop of Zandaam, and is the only example of their work in Australia.  It is neo-classical in style and was installed from 1971 to 1972, thanks to the generosity of the Albert family, who kindly enabled its extensive restoration in 2019.

Regrettably, due to COVID-19 we are unable to conduct sung services at this time and we look forward our vibrant Choral life resuming as soon as it is safe and permissible.

Bible Study
and Theological
Engagement

In addition to regular Chapel services, the College runs a weekly small group Bible Study from 8:00pm on Monday evenings. This year we are reading through Matthew’s Gospel focussing particularly on who is this man Jesus, also called the Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Man. The Chaplain also meets up with individual students on a weekly basis to read through a book of the Bible or to discuss theological issues. These studies studies are interesting for those open to exploring the Bible for the first time and are equally engaging for those who have had previous exposure to the Gospels.

World Views,
Philosophy
and Ethics

For those wanting to be involved in discussions on World Views, Philosophy, Theology and Ethics then the group which meets on Thursday evenings from 8:30pm is appealing. This group engages with a range of ethical, moral and theological issues. Topics are mostly chosen by students and are disseminated earlier on the day.

Supper, tea and coffee are provided on these evenings. All residents of the College are most welcome and further information is available from the Chaplain.