1000 x 90

Choral Evensong a Contemplative End to the Week

July 16, 2012. The choir of St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Church, Blowing Rock, will offer a choral evensong Sunday, July 22 at 5 p.m. in the church. The choir, which has performed here and in England, offers Evensong on fourth Sundays from April through October. It is a quiet, contemplative service, and a lovely end to the weekend before we all take up our busy public lives during the week. Everyone is welcome. St. Mary’s is located on Main Street in Blowing Rock.

About The Choir

The Choir is comprised of 20-24 singers under the direction of James Bumgardner. The choir enjoys making beautiful music not only for normal Sunday services at the church, but also at any opportunity available. It has given concerts of liturgical music at nearby Appalachian State University and other local venues. Further afield, the choir has sung across North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Washington DC, New York, and in several cathedrals in England.  The choir of St Mary’s has been in residence at Durham Cathedral, England and at the Church of St. Mary the Virgin, New York City; the ensemble also enjoys the honor of having represented North Carolina at the National Cathedral in Washington, DC for the first North Carolina Day there. 

The choir maintains the highest possible standards of performance. To this end, it has studied with some of the world’s best choral directors in New York City and at several of the famous chapel choirs of Cambridge, including King’s, St John’s, and Clare Colleges.

St. Mary’s is an active parish with a contemplative heart. They desire to serve God’s world following the example of the Lord Jesus Christ. They long for the union with God Jesus embodied. So a strong emphasis on outreach, mission and service, are balanced by a deep commitment to prayer, study and worship. If you are looking for a parish family or simply a place to worship while you are visiting in the area, you are welcome at St. Mary of the Hills.

At St. Mary of the Hills, all persons who seek God and are drawn to Christ are welcome to receive the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

St. Mary’s Worship schedule:

Sunday services:
7:20 AM Morning Prayer
8:00 AM Holy Eucharist
9:00 AM Sunday school
10:10 AM Holy Eucharist
5:00 PM Evening Prayer

Monday and Tuesday Services:
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
5:00 PM Evening Prayer

Wednesday Services:
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
12:00 PM Eucharist and Healing Service
2:45 PM Wednesday Church School (through April)
5:00 PM Evening Prayer

Thursday Services:
8:30 AM Morning Prayer
4:45 PM Evening Prayer

Fridays and Saturdays:
No Daily Office
Church Office Closed

Fourth Sunday of each month May through October at 5 PM: 
Solemn Evensong

 To listen to a sample of Choral Evensong from the BBC click here.

For more information, call 828-262-3450 or visit http://stmaryofthehills.org/index.html.