What to expect when you visit:
If you’re new to Ann Arbor or just find yourself looking for a Christian community to connect with, we invite you to check out the Campus Chapel. The easiest way to do that is to either show up on a Sunday morning or email one of the staff to introduce yourself. If you choose to worship with us on a Sunday, we’d love for you to stick around after the service so we can get to know you, but we understand visiting a new church can be a little intimidating. So don’t worry, no one will tackle you at the door if you choose to slip out unnoticed. Below are a few things about the Chapel you may want to know if you plan on dropping by.
Getting to the Chapel
Finding the Chapel is easy. Here’s a map. On Sundays, you can use the parking structure (530 Church Street) behind the Chapel for free. During the week, parking can be found on the side streets near the Chapel. Our building is hard to miss; it’s got big, bright red doors. If you get lost, call us at (734) 668-7421.
Weekday visits
You’re welcome to stop by during the week to check out the Chapel, meet the staff, and ask any questions you might have about the Chapel’s ministry. Our basement is a quiet space open for study, prayer, reflection, or whatever you might need (maybe a nap?) during the week. We have free WiFi, a kitchen, a library full of theological works, and lots of comfy seating.
When staff members are in the building, the single door closest to the sidewalk will be open. At least one staff member is usually in the building during regular business hours. Give us a call at (734) 668-7421 or email one of the staff members to make sure we’ll be around when you visit or to schedule a time to meet with one of us.
Sunday at the Chapel
The worshipping community at the Chapel is relatively small, but we’re friendly and open to newcomers. Most people who attend Chapel services are undergraduate or graduate students at the University of Michigan, but we also have a handful of families and young professionals who call the Chapel their spiritual home.
We follow a fairly traditional liturgy (program for worship) that is printed in the bulletins that you’ll find on a podium as you enter the Chapel. The liturgy, with all of the songs and readings, is also projected on the screen in the Chapel. Lyrics and music for all of the songs we sing are also projected. We don’t have a big band or an exuberant worship leader. For that reason, worship at the Chapel has been described by visitors as contemplative and tending toward traditional, though we try to use the best music of various traditions (traditional hymns, contemporary choruses, and world music) in our worship. During the service, one of our pastoral staff will preach a 20- to 25-minute sermon based on a Biblical text. We take an offering on Sunday morning. Visitors with us are not expected to contribute, though you’re welcome to do so if you wish.
We celebrate communion (Lord’s Supper, Eucharist) frequently at the Chapel. All who confess faith in Christ are welcome to join us in this celebration. Typically, we stand in a circle and pass the bread (which is gluten-free) and cup (red wine) to each other. If you do not wish to participate, please feel free to stay in your seat or join us in the circle with your arms across your chest to receive a blessing. If you have children, they are welcome to join us in the circle to participate in this celebration or to receive a blessing.
Following worship, we have a short time of fellowship over coffee, tea, or cocoa. Regular Chapel attendees bring goodies to share; please help yourself! This is a great time to let one of the Chapel staff know that you are visiting. We encourage you to leave your email address on the clipboard at the back table so that we can contact you to get to know you better and to let you know about upcoming Chapel activities.
Families with children are welcome at the Chapel. We love for families to be together during worship. For this reason, we do not have a special “children’s worship” or a staffed nursery. This means that we do not mind rustling paper, dropped toys, or even crying children during the worship service. On the lower level of the Chapel, you’ll find a nursery room, couches, café-style tables, and plenty of space for you and your kids to use, during or after the worship service.
Welcome to the Campus Chapel 