Evensong to Feature Rutter’s Prayer for Ukraine

St. Stephen's Episcopal Church in Ridgefield will present a Choral Evensong that will include music and prayers in support of Ukraine on Sunday, June 5, at 5 p.m. It will feature the St. Stephen’s Choir and St. Stephen’s new Minister of Music, Derrick Goff. The event is open to the public. Although there is no admission charge, any offerings will be donated to Ridgefield Responds to support aid efforts in Ukraine.                                                                                     

Choral Evensong is a staple of the Episcopal Church. On this occasion, sung responses to prayers have been set to music from Ukraine by Mr. Goff, and the choir will perform English composer John Rutter’s moving Prayer for Ukraine, written in March of this year. Canticles by the choir will be Herbert Howell’s Collegium Regale, written for King’s College in Cambridge.    

Special guest will be Don Kelly, who was raised in Ridgefield and is now living in Danbury. His wife, Olya, is from Ukraine and has family living there. Since the war with Russia, Don has visited Ukraine to deliver humanitarian aid.   

A reception for all who attend will be held after the event.