This lively introduction to Choral Evensong takes seriously the fact that many congregations where Evensong is sung consist of people who are unsure or sceptical about Christian faith, or who reject it, as well as those who identify as Christians. It asks questions and discusses topics that will interest to anyone who enjoys the space for reflection that Choral Evensong provides, and offers suggestions for further thought for anyone wanting to explore further the issues that it addresses.
It uses the framework of the service to provide an overview of how Christians read the Bible, pray and think about matters of doctrine – a form of catechesis. For other readers, it provides an overview of what Christians believe, and how many approach worship, taking its cues from the contents of the service and the questions that thoughtful people may ask.
The short chapters make the content readily accessible, suitable for private reading and for use in discussion or reading groups.
[Andrew Gregory’s] first reflection considers Evensong as both a work of art and act of worship, and its ability to gather a company of diverse beliefs within what we might call the beauty of holiness. Gregory also touches on the question which is often provoked by this liturgy from the 1662 Book of Common Prayer: is it performance or participation? What difference does it make to sing or experience music as part of the fabric of worship as opposed to in a concert hall? This question alone could be the basis of a thesis, but for now, Gregory allows the reader to ponder these things for themselves. As any good guide, his reflections encourage further reflection and give the reader space to do that too. This would be a good book to use as study guide for those who are beginning to be drawn into this way of praying, and might also be a suitable gift for those who sing in choirs (of whatever age), who take their singing seriously as part of a broader expression of worship and are keen to explore why they worship as they do.
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