Transcendence and Connection

Dostoevsky wrote that “beauty will save the world.” He didn’t just mean that beautiful things are nice, but that to touch the beautiful, to participate in beauty, is to participate in the true and the good. Which is to say, to participate in the life of God.

The Evensong tradition is the continuation and adaptation of the monastic pattern of worship in the Church of England after the Reformation. What does that mean? A simple, beautiful worship experience, focussed on sacred music, both by choir and congregation, and a (usually) brief sermon.

This is supported by our choir, focusing on sacred music, especially where it is suitable for the Evensong tradition. There is a rich tradition of this, with pieces ranging from the very easy to the very, very difficult: so, lots of scope for all sorts of doings. We have four evensongs each year, near the end fo the school term, with choral music, hymns, readings, and a reflection. And we make quite a lot of use of Taizé chants.

In 2026 we sang Mozart’s Ave Verum, Bach’s Jesu Joy of Man’s Desiring, and Durufle’s Ubi Caritas. Some of us are pretty experienced, some of us are new to the whole choir experience, and not all of us read music very well. The point is worship, not performance, which has to be underpinned by good spiritual community

The choir practices at 7:30pm on Wednesday Evenings during term time. Evensong dates for 2026 are:

Friday 27/3/26 at 7pm
Saturday 27/6/26 at 7pm
Saturday 12/9/26 at 7pm
Saturday 28/11/26 at 7pm

And we might do something at Easter and Christmas.

If you’re interested, or just want to talk about it, email Rev Alister at minister@nuc.org.au