July 12-15—WOODSTOCK—On July 12 -15, members of the Downing College Chapel Choir from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom will be hosted by St. James Episcopal Church in Woodstock for the Sixth Liturgy Festival, “From Contemplation to Celebration: The Power of Words, Music and Silence in Worship and Prayer.” The event includes a keynote speaker and workshops featuring topics ranging from meditation practices to communal and celebratory worship, as well as a selection of daily services.
The Chapel Choir, a mixed-voice choir, will perform a choral evensong on its own and will also be singing with the St. James choir. In addition to the performances of the Downing choir, the visiting organist will give a recital at St. James Church.
Downing College in the University of Cambridge has a rich history dating back to its founding in 1800 by the bequest of Sir George Downing. Located in the center of the city, the college community is comprised of committed scholars, students, and current and future leaders in their fields. The Chapel at Downing College is a beautiful element of the campus and is a key component in the musical life of the college. The Downing College Chapel Choir is comprised mostly of students from the college and sings both in the United Kingdom and abroad.
The three-day festival will include a workshop on “Contemplative Text: Past and Present” by Dr. Hester Gelber, professor of religious studies (emerita), Stanford University. She will be speaking at the Norman Williams Public Library on Saturday, July 14 at 2 p.m. On Saturday morning at 10 a.m., there will be a meditation workshop, “Introduction to Wisdom Circles”, led by the Rock Point Wisdom Group at North Chapel Society, Unitarian Universalist.
There will also be a series of education sessions at St. James Church throughout the Liturgy Festival, including “The Power of Silence in Prayer and Worship” with Steve Swayne, Strauss Professor of Music, Dartmouth College; “The Power of Music in Prayer and Worship” with Dr. James Lorenz, Oliver Goodenough and Louisa Denby; and “The Power of the Word in Prayer and Worship” with The Rev. Guy Collins, St. Thomas, Hanover, N.H.
For more information and for the complete schedule, visit stjameswoodstock.org.
Photo submitted
Downing College Chapel Choir from the University of Cambridge in the United Kingdom will be hosted by St. James Episcopal Church in Woodstock for the Sixth Liturgy Festival, July 12-15.
