The Connecticut Choral Society and Trinity Episcopal Church announce an Evensong Service planned for Sunday, December 8, at 3 pm, during the annual Festival of Trees sponsored by Newtown Youth and Family Services (NYFS).

Evensong is free to attend and open to people of diverse backgrounds and faith traditions. All are welcome.

It is a cherished treasure of the Anglican and Episcopalian traditions, a service of sung evening prayer that combines choral music, readings from scripture, and ancient prayers, which has remained largely unchanged since the mid-16th Century.

The peaceful and reflective atmosphere of Evensong has increased in popularity in modern times, with individuals of wide-ranging religious backgrounds attending services together.

It is an oasis of peace and joy in the busy holiday season, an opportunity to experience quality performances of choral music, to find solace in the stillness and calm of prayers and readings at the end of a long day, and to participate in a tradition that extends back nearly 500 years.

All are invited to enjoy the festive Newtown Holiday Festival activities for all ages along Newtown’s picturesque Main Street from 11 am to 4 pm on December 8 (see our online calendar for details). Then join Connecticut Choral Society at 3 pm in Trinity Episcopal’s beautiful historic sanctuary to give thanks for the day, relax in the embrace of scripture and sacred music, and share a few moments of quiet contemplation.

Prior to the event, visit the Glover Community Room, on the ground floor of the church at 36 Main Street, where dozens of decorated trees, wreaths, and centerpieces will be available through raffle. Tickets will be available to purchase for a chance to the creations.

Tickets will be $10 for five tickets, $20 for 15 tickets, and $30 for 25 tickets. Winners will be drawn at 4:15, with ticket-holders welcome to attend the drawing.

All proceeds from the raffle and the Festival of Trees will benefit NYFS and its mission to provide mental health and youth services programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors in the greater Newtown area.

The Connecticut Choral Society, under the baton of Maestro Eric Dale Knapp, is known for its high musical performance standards, outstanding contribution to the arts and community outreach through benefit concerts.

The Evensong Service will feature Guest Conductor Jennifer Sisco, Minister of Music at Trinity Episcopal; Organist Michael Lantowski and Cantor Carolyn Fagerholm. It will be presided over by Rev Andrea Castner-Wyatt, rector at Trinity Episcopal.

Trinity Episcopal is the stone church at the flagpole at 36 Main Street. Enter the parking lot on Church Hill Road near the Newtown Hook & Ladder firehouse. Handicap parking is located near the back of the church, as is an accessible entrance with an elevator.

For more information on the Festival of Trees visit newtownyouthandfamilyservices.org. To learn more about Connecticut Choral Society, visit ctchoralsociety.org.