Civic Choral Evensong Service
Farewell to the 37th Rector of All Saints, Revd Wendy Dalrymple*
Evensong is one of the oldest services in the Church of England, the basis of the current form dates back to 1549 but with liturgy and prayers that have their roots in the earliest centuries of Christianity. Here at All Saints our choir sings the service once a month usually on the third Sunday of the month at 4pm.
Music at this service includes the choral anthem Antiphon (Let all the world in every corner sing) by Ralph Vaughan Williams and the organ voluntary Final in D from Symphony I by Louis Vierne played by our Director of Music, Simon Headley.
Our preacher will be the Venerable David Newman, former Archdeacon of Loughborough, who was part of the appointment panel who brought Wendy to Loughborough.
Today we are also pleased to welcome the Mayor of Charnwood, Cllr Margaret Smidowicz, the Lord-Lieutenant Mike Kapur OBE, the Vice Lord-Lieutenant, Colnel Murray Colville TD DL and other civic and community dignitaries as we give thanks for the many different ways we are able to work together across our diverse community for the good of all.
During her time as Rector, Revd Wendy has played her part in this civic and community life, serving as the Mayor's Chaplain, hosting the annual Community Carol Service and leading the town in the annual Act of Remembrance in her role as Chaplain to the Loughborough Branch of the Royal British Legion. She has supported Loughborough Council of Faiths and been keen to work with and welcome people from all backgrounds to the historic place of Christian worship that is All Saints.
In this final service that Wendy will lead as our Rector, as we wish her Godspeed to Canterbury, we pledge our commitment to continuing to be a Civic Church that is here to serve the whole community, being available at times of celebration and lament and working with people of goodwill for the flourishing of all.
*We shall also be saying goodbye to Wendy in the morning at our Holy Communion service where she will preside and preach for the last time. Everyone is welcome to attend.