A centuries-old service marked the end of a range of Sunday celebrations across the Over Wyre Benefice at the Deanery Choral Evensong, hosted this year, by St. John’s church Pilling.
Led by LLM Ray Hart, this peaceful, liturgical service is steeped in tradition and rich in scripture, prayer and choral music.
Contemplative in nature, the service invites personal meditation and inner peace at the end of the day in a time-honoured way, providing a restful break from the busyness of daily life.
Choirs from across the Garstang Deanery joined forces to lead congregational singing in addition to showcasing music for the Sunday after the Ascension, including sung canticles and Psalm 47, a joyous, syncopated anthem and choral responses. Biblical songs, like the Magnificat demonstrated their own lyrical beauty. St. James’ Director of Music, Paul Buckmaster played the organ and resounding notes filled the church.
Ray Hart spoke engagingly at length about the tradition and value of RSCM choral music, and his long-standing love-affair with it.
Once the meditative and highly-structured service had ended, all were invited into the Parish Hall for refreshments and a relaxed chat.