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St Mary the Blessed Virgin: Worshipping God, Loving our neighbour

St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Addington
St Mary the Blessed Virgin, Addington
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    • Home
    • Contact
      • Meet the Team
      • Safeguarding
    • Worship
      • This Week @ St Mary's
      • Sunday's Sermon
      • What's On
    • Activities
    • Events
      • Events
    • Children @ St Mary's
      • Children @ St Mary's
      • Messy Church @ St Mary's
    • History
      • Church & Churchyard
      • WW1 Exhibition
    • Hall Hire
    • Baptisms
    • Weddings

EN

  • Home
  • Contact
    • Meet the Team
    • Safeguarding
  • Worship
    • This Week @ St Mary's
    • Sunday's Sermon
    • What's On
  • Activities
  • Events
    • Events
  • Children @ St Mary's
    • Children @ St Mary's
    • Messy Church @ St Mary's
  • History
    • Church & Churchyard
    • WW1 Exhibition
  • Hall Hire
  • Baptisms
  • Weddings

Choral Evensong

The Musical ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of the Church of England

Evensong is a church service traditionally held near sunset. It has one of England’s richest heritages – a living tradition that precisely costs nothing to encounter live. Regarded by many as the ‘Jewel in the Crown’ of liturgical church music, the service is mostly still set to the words of the Evening Prayer of the Book of Common Prayer. The text is so beautiful, and it has barely changed since the publication of the book in 1662. That said, the music itself could date back to early Christian history, or have been written by a living composer, just last week!

We live in a time of chaotic global ever-availability: but Evensong is not about instant gratification. Indeed, it is reminiscent of a fine wine, to be savoured sip by sip. Evensong is an observed private ritual: nobody is meant to clap, and the music is not presented to an audience for approval; rather, it is meant to guide the mind out of the building into unseen heights and depths. Therefore, Evensong is meant for contemplative worship and should be heard in a state of quiet meditation. As a member of the congregation, it is a perfect opportunity to let the music, scripture and prayers simply wash over you. This service still has the power to inspire and to move.

The music enhances the words of the service, giving beauty and character to the heartfelt text of the Psalms – music augments the joyful thanksgiving of Mary’s song of praise and liberation (the Magnificat) – music gives emphasise to the prophetic words of Simeon in the Nunc dimittis – and music enriches the prayerfulness of the Collects. The anthem that then follows will be chosen to fit the readings of the day. The congregation will be invited to join in just two hymns, the first called the ‘Office Hymn’ that reflects the theme of the readings or the season, and the second a hymn of thanksgiving towards the end of the service. 

Choral Evensong @ St Mary's

Here at St Mary’s, we normally have a Choral Evensong on the last Sunday of the month from January to July (subject to the date of Easter) and from September to October. It is always best to check, in case of changes. The choir normally also sings an Advent Carols’ Service at the end of November (sometimes the start of December) and a service of Nine Lessons and Carols on the Sunday Evening before Christmas Day (unless it is close to or on Christmas Eve).

Choral Evensong

Sunday 25th May

Sunday 29th June

Sunday 29th June

6.30pm



Sunday 29th June

Sunday 29th June

Sunday 29th June

6.30pm

Sunday 27th July

Sunday 29th June

Sunday 27th July

6.30pm

Sunday 28th Sept

Sunday 26th October

Sunday 26th October

6.30pm



Sunday 26th October

Sunday 26th October

Sunday 26th October

6.30pm

Sunday 30th Nov

Sunday 26th October

Sunday 30th Nov

6.30pm

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