Dear Parishioners,
I would like to invite you to two special events in November and December.
Choral Evensong-
Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 p.m.
On Sunday, November 2 at 4:00 p.m., the Trinity Choir will offer a service of Choral Evensong in memory of the faithful departed. Since the 11th century, November 2 has been the date of All Souls’ Day, a day of commemorating and offering prayers of intercession for all of the dead, not just those who have achieved sainthood (whom we commemorate on All Saints’ Day, November 1).
In addition to a new setting of the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, by George Dyson, the choir will present three anthems on texts related to the theme of remembrance: For the Fallen, by Douglas Guest, God Be In My Head, by Philip Wilby, and In Remembrance, by Eleanor Daley. Guest organist Joanne Owen will accompany the choir and present organ music before and after the service.
For its devotees – those who have allowed themselves to experience its magical spell – Evensong is an excellent antidote to the seemingly endless busy-ness of our modern lives. The quiet church in late afternoon, the candles in the windows, the fine choral music, and the centuries-old tradition of the liturgy all help lead us to a peaceful place where we can "worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness." (Ps. 29:2)
I hope to see many of you in the congregation on November 2. I think you will find it well worth the effort. Who knows, you may even become a "devotee!"
Advent Lessons and Carols
Sunday, December 7 at 4:00 p.m.
In December we will present a brand new liturgy (for our Trinity community): an Advent Service of Lessons and Carols. Advent Lessons and Carols is a fixture in many parishes around the country. It is very similar in structure to the more familiar Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which was created in 1880 by Edward White Benson, made famous by the annual Christmas Eve broadcast from King’s College in Cambridge, and which we celebrate here in a low-key way on the Sunday after Christmas.
The heart of the service is, of course, the readings and the music. Each biblical reading illuminates an aspect of the season of Advent and its theme of joyful expectation. The readings are followed by hymns and anthems of the season.
Four choirs will participate in this service: the Trinity Choir, the Coventry Choir (our section leaders, who sing at the 11:15 service), the Canterbury Choir (youth in grades 4 through high school), and the Carillon Choir, our 11-member handbell choir which will ring our 4-plus octaves of handbells and handchimes.
As I mentioned earlier, the annual Service of Advent Lessons and Carols is a much-loved tradition in many parishes, and I think it could become a tradition here, as well. Toward that end, I hope you will come and see for yourself how Lessons and Carols can be a beautiful and inspiring part of your Christmas season.
Faithfully,
Vernon Williams
