NEWSLETTER - 6 February 2025

The Choristers in 2023

Friends in Christ, last week we formally marked the commencement of ministries for the year. That includes our many musical ministries and other activities. 

Today I wish to highlight Choral Evensong, which returns for the first time tonight, Thursday 6 February at 5:15pm. Here's how I describe it for the unfamiliar:

Choral Evensong is a little spiritual oasis mid-week here at the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ (during school terms).

It occurs on Mondays and Thursdays at 5:15pm. The words, spoken, and sung (mainly) by our Choir, are drawn almost entirely from the Bible. 

For a brief time (under an hour), with Evensong you step into a stream of repentance and faith, prayer and worship that has been going on for centuries (so the language from the 1600s, may be a little harder to understand at first listen).

Its primary purpose is to proclaim the wonderful works of God in history, most of all in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Last year, we worked hard at including a range of visiting preachers across the year, who would deliver the brief 'homily' (sermon) on Scripture. Some were members of the Archbishop's team, some from parishes near the CBD, some from Moore College, some were honorary canons of the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥.   

This year, we are working towards providing continuity of Choral Evensong in school holidays on Thursdays as well. And Jonathan Adams has prepared our own 'local lectionary' to rovide continuity of Bible readings across Mondays and Thursdays for those who can attend regularly. 

But whether its occasional or regularly, we are delighted when those who attend other services at St Andrew's are able to join this particular ministry of prayer and word of a midweek evening. 

By the way, people sometimes ask whether we livestream Choral Evensong. This is my answer: No, the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ provides regular live-streaming only of its (with choir during term), and of the mid-week Wednesday evening at 6pm. This is for several reasons.

Firstly, cost. Secondly, limited availability of technical skills.

Thirdly and perhaps most importantly, we primarily want to encourage people to attend in person wherever possible. (See and reflect on !)

This is particularly significant with Choral Evensong which is a quieter, more intimate and reflective service.

However, for former members, and those otherwise in need of online ministry, who cannot attend in person, we are very committed to providing the live-streams twice a week on Sundays and Wednesdays.

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The ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ also hosts a variety of other musical events, in recognition that music in general is a gift of God, and to encourage bridge-building into various parts of our community. 

Today at lunchtime, our bi-monthly and long-running organ recital series recommenced for 2025, with one of the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥'s Assistant Organists, Sam Giddy, playing pieces by Bach, Beethoven, Brahms and Bartók. But I appreciated Sam sharing his musical gifts with us, in both bold and gentler tones. (These cost $10/head to recover costs, especially for the organist.)

And I am looking forward to opening Saturday's Sounds of Hope Ukrainian Music Concert in prayer for peace. It is part of the International Festival of Ukrainian Organ Music concert. Admission is free, but booking is required . The concert commences at 5pm, and I would try to arrive early.

Lastly on music, we are delighted to host free band concerts on many Wednesdays (from 12:30pm) by the NSW Police Band, Royal Australian Navy Band and Australian Army Band. I can attest that the musical qiuality is very high. You may enjoy listening on the occasional lunch hour, or perhaps it's a chance to invite a friend to visit and become familiar with the ̨ž³UUÖ±²¥ for the first time in a non-threatening way. This can sometimes make it easier to invite them later to a special service, such as at Easter or Anzac Day or Christmas. 

The schedule of band concerts for 2025 can be found here. 

Warmly in Christ,

Sandy Grant
Dean of Sydney