STORY AND PHOTO BY KAREN BOSSICK
Just the name Evensong seems tranquil and beautiful.
And Evensong is a beautiful service of readings, prayers and music that evolved from the monastic tradition of praying throughout the day.
Joel Bejot, the music director at St. Thomas Episcopal Church, is inviting the community to join in praying with Christians around the world as the church hosts three monthly Evensongs in the coming months.
The first, on Sunday, Sept. 18, will feature a portion of the service focused on Hildegard of Bingen, a German Benedictine abbess who was a medical writer and practitioner, as well as a composer and mystic, during the 12th century.
The Oct. 16 service will include a look at Hugh Latimer, chaplain to King Edward VI who was burned at the stake under Catholic Queen Mary I. Also spoken of that night: Thomas Cranmer, the Canterbury archbishop who helped build the case for the annulment of Henry’s marriage to Catherine of Aragon, which helped lead to the separation of the English Church from the Holy See.
The Nov. 20 service will feature Herman of Alaska, a Russian Orthodox monk and missionary to Alaska when it was part of Russian America. His gentleness earned him the love of both the native Alaskans and the Russian colonists.
All services will start at 5:30 p.m. at the church, 201 Sun Valley Road. All will be followed by a reception.