Created and curated by Reverend Yolanda Norton, Visiting Professor at Moravian Theological Seminary and founder of the Global Arts and Theology Experience (GATE), the inaugural Beyoncé Mass drew roughly 1,000 people at its inaugural event at San Francisco’s historic Grace Cathedral in April 2018. Since then, the worship service has traveled to Los Angeles, Calif, Lisbon, Portugal, the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., etc.
“This is not a service deifying Beyonce”….”What we are committed to is telling the story of Black women, about amplifying the reality that God is wrapped up in the speech, movement, and existence of Black women. We simply use a Black woman’s music–Beyonce–to do this work.”
The liturgy of Beyoncé Mass includes music from Beyonces vast discography, readings from prominent Black female leaders, and a sermon from Rev. Norton, who is ordained in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) is a Ph.D. candidate at Vanderbilt University in Hebrew Bible and Ancient Israel and holds a Master of Divinity and Master of Theological Studies from Wesley Theological Seminary and B.A. in political science from Syracuse University. Rev. Norton is serving as the Visiting Theologian at University Congregational UCC, Seattle, this year.
Beyoncé Mass is an in-person worship service only. There will be no streaming nor recording for later viewing due to licensing restrictions. For health and safety reasons, please bring and wear a mask. Masks are required during the service.
Folks are encouraged to register ahead of time here for this free event. Donations in support of this event can be made here (select “Beyonce Mass” from the dropdown).