Canterbury at Cal

Breaking News: Oct 11 & 12 - see Bishop Gene Robinson!

Welcome!

Episco...what? Angli...who? The Episcopal Church is a catholic church seeking the coming of God into the world through the teachings of Jesus.

Our worship is based on forms and models used for over 1900 years, our theology is developed by allowing reason to be in dialogue with faith.

Our core is a table where everyone is invited to the feast, not as a guest but as family.

Our motto is: "The Episcopal Church Welcomes - YOU"

What does this mean?

A fellow Anglican, Desmond Tutu, explains our welcome in these terms:

"Jesus did not say, 'If I be lifted up I will draw some'." Jesus said, 'If I be lifted up I will draw all, all, all, all, all. Black, white, yellow, rich, poor, clever, not so clever, beautiful, not so beautiful. It's one of the most radical things. All, all, all, all, all, all, all, all. All belong. Gay, lesbian, so-called straight. All, all are meant to be held in this incredible embrace that will not let us go. ALL!"

Who is all? You.

Who are we?

As the official presence of the Episcopal Church to the Cal community, Canterbury House offers a spiritual home through the programs listed below to anyone seeking an authentic connection with God and the mystical presence of Jesus at work in the world. We explore relationship with God and creation through study, films, meals, laughter, prayer, and times of service. In addition, Canterbury at Cal offers a residential program through the Canterbury House.

The Chaplain, Tom Poynor, is available for questions, spiritual seeking, coffee, meals, being outside and generally just being present as a fellow pilgrim through life.

What's happening around Canterbury?

Weekly Programs

Please come back frequently for updates.

This Sunday
10AM: visit one of the five churches in the Berkeley Community for morning worship.

7:00 PM: Come to the Canterbury House for a meal and discussion.

9:00 PM: Sung Night Prayer in the Canterbury House. This service combines the night prayer liturgy of the church of New Zealand with plainsong and other forms of music. Stick around for refreshments and conviviality.

October 11 - Qristianity: an exploration of Faith, Otherness, Queerness and the followers of Jesus on the fringe.
2PM the Lipman Room, Barrows Hall

Directions to Lipman Room
Facebook Event page

Canterbury at Cal is pleased to welcome the Rt. Reverend Gene Robinson, bishop of New Hampshire to Berkeley on October 11.

As the only openly gay bishop in the Anglican Communion, Bishop Robinson presents a witness to the on going struggle of those in the Christian faith who seek what is meant when Jesus said "I will draw all to me."

In the days of the Roman Empire the early Christians presented an alternative community, an alternative family structure and an alternative to the tyranny of the majority. In recent decades a social movement as this might be called "queer." On national "coming out" day, the Canterbury Program invites you to consider what it means to offer a witness of change to a world committed to excluding and othering.

Bishop Robinson will be joined by panelists from the UC Community as part of the conversation around this topic.

October 12 - Come to the Feast of the Beloved.
4PM Faculty Glade
Bishop Robinson celebrates Holy Communion
Guest Preacher - Sara Miles

Map of Faculty Glade
Facebook Event page

In his last night with his friends before a criminal's death, Jesus offered bread and wine to his disciples. With the words "this is my body, this is my blood" Jesus ended sacrificial violence. From that day forward those who listen to Jesus understand that in a simple meal of bread and wine they are made part of the body of Christ. Those who gather at the table become the hands of God who we believe seeks continually to call all people to the holy table.

The preacher at this event, Sara Miles, began a powerful ministry of providing food to poor of San Francisco after understanding that Christianity is about nourishing others. She will speak on the subject of true freedom in Christ. All are welcome.