We remember our loved ones who have gone before us with our annual All Souls Evensong. Time-honored scripture, prayers, and beautiful music mingle together to create a holy offering of love and praise to God. As a part of this service we invite you to light a candle at the altar in memory of your loved one. We read our Parish Necrology and name those who have passed away among the saints who surround us. A reception follows in the Great Hall.
Evensong marks the end of the day and prepares for the approaching night. The roots of this service come out of ancient monastic traditions of Christian prayer. Thomas Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury in the 16th century, created this form as part of the simplification of services within the newly-reformed Church of England. The Episcopal Church, as part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, has inherited this pattern of evening prayer.
In this service we are invited to reflect, to pray for the world and for ourselves, and to commend all into God’s hands as words of Holy Scripture are said and sung. The beauty of the music is offered to help us set our lives in the light of eternity; the same light which dwelt among us in Jesus, and which now illuminates us by the Spirit.