It’s been three years in the making.  But for those working together on what has become an “act of grace,” it’s been worth every moment. 

“What we ended up creating was a beautiful reflection of our diversity of expression for worship of God,” says Marcus Hong.  

"UWorship will be a great resource for UKirk, the network of collegiate ministries in the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.)."

Hong was part of a small ad hoc group of campus ministers, and those passionate about collegiate ministry in the Presbyterian Church, (U.S.A.), who have been working on “UWorship.” 

This new UKirk worship book is a full resource that engages both the rhythm of scripture and the life of a college student through

  • A 4-year, 32-week lectionary
  • Multiple prayers for every aspect of worship
  • Whole sets of occasional services for first Sunday, last Sunday mission/service trips, mourning, lament, Advent/Christmas, etc.
  • A glossary of worship terms 

“I’m excited that ‘UWorship’ was written by those who are in the trenches of this unique ministry,” says Jason Santos. 

“We’re thrilled,” adds the UKirk national director and associate for collegiate ministries for the Presbyterian Mission Agency, “to offer the electronic version free of charge to anyone who’d like to use the resource.” 

This summer, Santos’s goal is to put a physical copy of “UWorship’ in the hands of every UKirk campus minister, college chaplain, and pastor free of charge.  

“College ministries operate on small budgets,” he says, “and we don’t want anything to prevent this resource from being used.” 

For Hong, a Ph.D. candidate in practical theology at Princeton Theological Seminary, that “accessibility” is key for what the group had in mind when it created “UWorship.” 

“We wanted both college students and churches that straddle university communities to use it,” he says. 

“For students to pick it up, pray, and worship together, even if a campus minster isn’t present.“ 

“For churches to create occasional services for students, like for midterm exams. To learn how to pray for them by using the prayers they are saying throughout the year.” 

By intention, the prayers in “UWorship”are deeply rooted. “Very Reformed” is how Hong puts it, yet very accessible for meaningful worship in any given moment.  

“It considers the campus ministry context, while attending to our Reformed heritage,” adds Santos.  

“Those who worked on it have given us a great liturgical worship resource to speak to the lived experiences of college students.”