SPELMAN COLLEGE — Spelman College, in partnership with Columbia Theological Seminary and the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, will host the Beyoncé Mass at 7 p.m., March 2, in Sisters Chapel.
Created and curated by Rev. Yolanda Norton, H. Eugene Farlough Chair of Black church studies and assistant professor of Hebrew Bible at San Francisco Theological Seminary, the Beyoncé Mass uses music from the Grammy-winning songstress to cultivate an empowering conversation about Black women.
“We’re honored to host the Beyoncé Mass. This event is a natural extension of what we stand for in Sisters Chapel, as the spiritual center of Spelman College,” said the Rev. Neichelle Guidry, Ph.D., dean of Sisters Chapel and director of the Women in Spiritual Discernment of Ministry Center. “In my role as dean, I recognize that a creative womanist approach to spirituality is necessary to sustain Black women.”
The Mass serves as the kickoff to Sisters Chapel’s Women’s Herstory Month.
“During
the month of March, we will honor the transformative contributions of
Black women to the world, particularly in the forms of liberating
spiritualties and theological conviction,” shared Dr. Guidry. “In so
doing, we will continue to position Spelman as a beacon, not only of the
mental development of Black women, but also for the nourishment of
their souls and their hearts.”
The inaugural Beyoncé Mass, held in April 2018 at San Francisco’s
historic Grace Cathedral, drew roughly 1,000 people. Since then, the
worship service has traveled across the globe to major cities, including
Los Angeles, New York City and Lisbon, Portugal.
“Beyoncé Mass, as a Christian worship experience that is open to all, is
not a ceremony deifying Beyoncé,” said Rev. Norton. “Our hope is to
glorify God, tell Black women’s stories, and give people healing space
to see how they are included in the divine narrative.”
The liturgy of Beyoncé Mass includes music from the artist’s vast discography, readings from womanist scholars and prominent Black female leaders, and a sermon from Rev. Norton.
“We, at Columbia Theological Seminary, are excited to partner with Rev. Norton and Spelman College to bring the Beyoncé Mass to Atlanta,” said the Rev. Brandon Maxwell, vice president of Student Affairs and Community Life at Columbia Theological. “It is a unique time at the seminary. We have the privilege of having four womanist scholars on our faculty across biblical studies, theology and ethics, and practical theology. It has really created a lively conversation among our students and in the community more broadly. We see this partnership as congruent with our deep commitment to 21st century church and liberation theology.”
The event is free and open to the public. Space is limited. To register visit here.
This press release was originally shared via Spelman College.
