Vespers:Midweek Recharge
During my internship year, I was told by my supervisor that one of my duties would be to lead a vespers service. “What is that?” I asked and I was told it was a midweek service. “How many people should I expect?” “If you get two or three you will be lucky.” By the end of that year, I had a regular circle of 15 people a week who came for the opportunity to gain rest and renewal midweek. In my two called ministries, I have introduced Vespers into the mix and in both cases have made it part of a community-oriented evening with a shared meal and adult programming.
Vespers itself is a simple service—we read together in unison, we sing together simple and meditative music. We spend five minutes in silence together and those worshipping have an opportunity to share that which they wish to share into the circle. Each Vespers has a meditative theme in the form of an open question and often the sharing is on that theme, or of a personal nature in the spirit of Joys and Sorrows.
Though the basic form of vespers work, drawing an average about 30 people an evening throughout the year, I have continued to experiment with it. The Vespers circle is a good place for people who are on a spiritual journey or those who need the healing touch of community. At MDUUC, I have been blessed to have a creative partner, Jo Gelinas, who has provided live music and we have continued to dream about how we could continue to deepen and expand this simple service of meditation, music and connection.
Some sample of vespers services are below.