A Soul-Stirring Evening
There are moments in life when we stumble upon something truly extraordinary that resonates with our soul and leaves an indelible mark on our heart. For me, one such moment was an unforgettable evening at Westminster Abbey, where I had the privilege of attending the Evensong choral service sung by the beautiful Westminster Abbey Choir. The experience was nothing short of breathtaking, within the walls of the historic Abbey.
One afternoon, I was with a group of women in London and had planned on attending the Evensong, a choral church service, later in the day. Prior to the service the group had split off to visit different locations within London. My girlfriend and I stayed close to Westminster Abbey because we wanted to ensure our spot for the service.
We decided to jump in the queue (or line as American’s call it) 15 minutes early and happened to be within the first 20 people waiting. The line was soon moving and as I approached the Abbey’s towering entrance, its grandeur filled me with awe and reverence. I felt blessed to be entering the sacred walls and knew I was in for something extraordinary.
Little did we know, my friend and I were ushered into the well-known stacked, wooden pews with each seat being separated by a wooden partition. Each space included a padded built-in, beautifully carved wooded chair, its own foot rest, a shelf to place the program, and a lamp that lightly illuminated each seat. My friend and I felt like we hit the location jackpot. There were only four or five dozen people attending that were ushered into the wooden pews. All other guests were escorted into the chairs that had been placed in the sanctuary.
As the choir paraded past the wooden pews, they stopped and entered their seats in the same area just 10 feet away from us as well as across from us. We could hardly believe our eyes and ears.They were dressed in the iconic red robes (cassocks) with the white, sleeved blouse-like shirt with ruffled collar (cottas),worn on top. It was incredible to witness the grace and reverence of the church’s tradition.
The choral performance was nothing short of wonderful. Each note seemed to linger then ascend into the sacred space that touched the very core of my being. The voices carried the prayers and hopes of everyone in attendance and I found myself swept away by the beauty and power of the choir’s voices. The walls of Westminster Abbey, seemed to captivate all in a spiritual embrace. In the short 45 minute service, the outside world faded away, leaving only my connection with the Divine.
Leaving Westminster Abbey that evening left me feeling a sense of connection, gratitude, and peace. The Evensong service, and my location to the choir definitely left an imprint on my heart. The beauty of the music and the history of the Abbey created a soul-stirring evening. If you ever find yourself in London I hope you have the opportunity to witness a service that’s truly extraordinary.
xoxox…..Sheryl
PS … I’d arrive a bit early for the queue.
To order the 6 Step Path to Self-Love Ebook and Journal.
To be in community with like-hearted souls and join my private Facebook group.
You can find me on Instagram or Facebook.
To subscribe to my weekly update and newsletters and receive free the 7 Simple Ways to Elevate Your Life.