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Rochester Christian University

Chapel and CLW

When chapel meets, how Community Life and Worship points work, and how to apply for a modification.

Students standing in worship during chapel, some with hands raised.

Community Life and Worship (CLW) is how RCU gathers for chapel, spiritual formation, service and growth outside the classroom.

Full-time traditional undergraduate students earn 25 CLW points every semester. That includes traditional undergraduates who take their classes online. Each approved event is worth one point unless it says otherwise.

If you finish the semester short of 25, you are charged $10 for each point you did not earn. The money goes toward future CLW programming.

Chapel

Chapel meets every Tuesday and Thursday from 11:10 to 11:45 AM in the Alumni Center Auditorium. There are 28 to 30 chapel dates each semester.

On Mondays and Wednesdays, Bible studies, small groups, prayer gatherings and discipleship groups meet across campus. They are led by students, Campus Ministry, faculty and staff, and they change through the semester. If you want to start one, the Center for Student Life will help.

Ways to earn points

  • Chapel services
  • Spiritual formation opportunities
  • Campus Ministry programs
  • Service learning, including Warriors Serve
  • Worship gatherings
  • Leadership development programs
  • Vocation and calling events

Check in to every event through the RCU App or WarriorHub. That check-in is how your point is recorded, and it is up to you to watch your total through the semester.

Modifications and common questions

What is a Tier One modification?

Tier One lowers your requirement to 12 points. It is for students whose schedules keep them from chapel, such as a class that conflicts with chapel, nursing clinicals, student teaching, or a required internship during chapel hours.

What is a Tier Two modification?

Tier Two lowers your requirement to 5 points, earned mostly through online spiritual formation activities and an end-of-semester reflection. It is for students who cannot regularly come to campus, such as fully online students, students in full-time off-campus internships, and students in their final semester of student teaching or nursing clinicals.

Can I be exempt entirely?

A full exemption is granted only in exceptional circumstances that keep you from any CLW participation, such as a significant medical condition or documented caregiving responsibilities. You apply again each semester.

Can my club or team's service project count?

Yes. Submit it for approval at least one week before the event. The project has to mainly benefit people or organizations outside RCU, or support a significant campus service effort, and it has to be approved before it happens. Afterward, each student completes a short reflection in the RCU App to get the point.

What does the service reflection ask?

It asks three questions. Community: how did this experience connect you with others? Life: how did it shape your personal growth? Worship: how did it deepen your relationship with God?

Questions about CLW

Center for Student Life

Hours
Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM