July 20-29, 2024, members and guests of the choirs of River Road and St. Stephen’s Episcopal Churches traveled to the United Kingdom for a spiritual pilgrimage. Robert Gallagher and Brent Te Velde, Ministers of Music at River Road and St. Stephen’s respectively, coordinated the pilgrimage for both churches. After an overnight flight to London, and none the worse for wear, our group toured Wilton House, the home of the Earl of Pembroke. Afterward, we arrived at our hotel in Bath, which was to be our home base for most of the pilgrims during our time together.
The nature of this year’s pilgrimage was worshiping together and singing Evensong services in ancient Cathedrals in western England. We worshiped and sang in the beautiful sanctuaries of Exeter, Salisbury, and Wells Cathedrals, as well as Bath Abbey. Each Cathedral was unique, with its own history, architecture, sense of awe and beauty and reverence. Prior to each Evensong or Eucharistic service, pilgrims had centering devotional and prayer time together led by Daniel Glaze. These moments allowed for reflection upon the gift of pilgrimage to our spiritual life together.
At the Evensong service held in Wells Cathedral, we had a surprise “guest” in worship—the Bishop of the Diocese of Bath and Wells, the Right Reverend Michael Beasley was in attendance! He was visibly moved by our singing, and we were honored to worship alongside him.
This pilgrimage provided much more than singing, worship, travel, and cultural experiences. We, the churches of River Road and St. Stephen’s, also formed deep friendships and partnerships. Just two miles separate our church houses (we’re even closer as the crow flies), and we found so much in common with one another. We hope and pray that our congregations will build upon the friendships that we began in western England and that we would continue to serve God together as partners in Christ’s ministry in Richmond and beyond.
July 28: Choral Eucharist at Bath Abbey
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- Herbert Howells – Communion service (Collegium regale)
- David Hurd – Love bade me welcome
July 28: Choral Evensong at Bath Abbey
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- Margaret Burk – Preces and Responses
- Psalm 74 – chants: Stainer
- Herbert Howells – Magnificat and Nunc dimittis (Collegium regale)
- Herbert Howells – Te Deum (Collegium regale)