Wherever you are on your faith journey, you are welcome here
On Sunday, February 2 at 4:00 pm the Choir of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Middlebury will offer Choral Evensong, featuring music from the early decades of the English and German reformations. The Evening Canticles will be sung to the Second Service by William Byrd (1539-1623), one of the greatest composers of the Tudor era. Byrd, along with Thomas Tallis, was granted a monopoly by Elizabeth I in 1575 for the printing of polyphonic music. The Preces and Responses will be sung to a setting by William Smith (1603-1645) of Durham. The anthem will be Maria wallt zum Heiligtum (When to the temple Mary went), by German composer, Johannes Eccard (1553-1611). All are welcome!
Evensong is an English medieval term for the afternoon/evening prayer service known as vespers. A traditional Anglican rite, Evensong combines the monastic evening services of vespers and compline according to Sarum use. The Sarum Rite, adopted from the Roman Rite after the 1066 Norman conquest, originates from the Diocese of Salisbury. Choral Evensong is sung and beloved in Anglican cathedrals and parish churches worldwide. Singing prayers, Psalms, canticles and anthems brings unity of purpose to the prayers offered on behalf of God’s creation. Much music is sung by the choir alone, with the congregation joining for two hymns. Many find that this style of service can help give a meditative gateway as the day comes to a close.
St. Stephen’s is a generous, loving and active community of faith seeking ever deeper ways to live out our faith in Jesus and to share God’s light in the world. We live our faith joyously in worship, in learning, and in service; caring for each other, for our community, and for our 198 year-old church in the heart of Middlebury.
We are an inclusive congregation that welcomes diversity and celebrates difference as part of God’s creation.
Our Mission
To be an inclusive community awake to God in worship, learning, and service.
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Our Worship Schedule
(Click photos for details)
Sunday Morning Worship
Sunday Godly Play
Wednesday Noonday Eucharist
Thursday Meditation
Saturday Compline
The town of Middlebury lies at the eastern edge of the Champlain Valley, at the foot of the Green Mountains. It is home to Middlebury College, businesses large and small, and all the services of a shire town.
Addison County is a hub for biking, skiing, hiking, and other outdoor pleasures. Culturally, we have the College and all its offerings as well as Middlebury’s Town Hall Theatre and other smaller community events. We have a year-round farmers’ market and in the surrounding area, several CSAs. St. Stephen’s is deeply integrated into this life, but its reach goes beyond even Addison County. Parishioners drive as much as 30 miles to be part of a parish community that has a deeply spiritual life and an active social justice mission.
To ask questions, please contact our Parish Office.
