A special Choral Evensong for Mothering Sunday is to be held at St John’s.
In the Anglican Communion, Mothering Sunday has a long tradition dating to the 16th century when worshippers from a region gathered for a celebratory service on the fourth Sunday of Lent—also known as Refreshment Sunday—to provide some respite from the austerity of Lent.
As part of the Scottish Episcopal Church’s Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway, the evening service of celebration for the Galloway Region is now a fixture of the calendar at St John’s, explained its Rector, Canon Robin Paisley.
He said: “We’re the Galloway part of the United Diocese of Glasgow and Galloway and, since it’s a long way to go to
Glasgow, churches in the Galloway region are invited to come here – but also anybody else who is interested in choral music is welcome.”
“The service itself is like musical meditation. It’s a very spiritually refreshing experience using music and words that are long in tradition.”
The Bishop of the Diocese, the Right Revd Dr Gregor Duncan, will be the preacher while the former Dean of Norwich Cathedral, the Very Revd Paul Burbridge, will lead the service.
St John’s choir will be led by Jamie Brand with John Turner, formerly of Glasgow Cathedral, the guest organist.
The service starts at 6pm and will be followed by traditional refreshments in the church hall.