St. Stephen's Church in Ridgefield will offer a Choral Evensong, Sunday, June 22, at 5 p.m. Unique to Anglican and Episcopal Churches, evensong is a sung service that dates from the 16th century. This beautiful and meditative service will be brief, about45 minutes.
The St. Stephen’s Choir, with music minister Derrick Goff (pictured), will lead the congregation in prayer through hymns and present two canticles, the Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis, which are the heart of Evensong services. American composer Roland Martin wrote the canticles for St. Paul’s Cathedral in Buffalo in 1986. He is currently a member of the music faculty at the University of Buffalo and is organist/choirmaster and music director at Calvary Episcopal Church in Williamsville, N.Y. The choir will also perform the anthem “Ascribe Unto the Lord,” by British composer Samuel Sebastian Wesley (1815-1876), considered one of the most distinguished composers of English church music of his time. Preces and responses (sung prayers) will be by another American composer, Craig Phillips, director of music at All Saints Church in Beverly Hills
St. Stephen’s looks forward to welcoming Fr. Michael J. V. Clark of St. Paul’s Church, Greenwich, as guest preacher at Evensong. A free-will offering will be taken to support the music ministry of the church. All are invited to a reception immediately in North Hall following the service.