St. John's All Souls Requiem Mass invitation from Rector

[RCCAtl]

St. John’s Episcopal Church celebrates an annual All Souls Requiem Mass. This year, St. John’s will  celebrate All Souls on the evening of Thursday, November 1, beginning at 7:30 p.m., a free service during which we remember of all who have died in the last year, and thank God for their life and witness. The requiem features ethereally beautiful music unique to the occasion, which is also known as the Commemoration of All the Faithful Departed. Under the direction of Mr. Tom Elston, Music Director and Organist of St. John, College Park, and Mr. John Sabine, Music Director and Organist of Christ Our Hope Lutheran Church, Riverdale, we present the work of John Rutter, composer of some of the most significant pieces of choral music of the last half century. 

A massed choir composed of choristers from local churches, and a chamber music ensemble that often includes students from the Woodward Academy and Tri-Cities High School, will present this historic piece of sacred music set in its original context. Additionally, this year we are joined by the Georgia State University Master Singers, the school’s select chorale ensemble of music students. GSU graduate students in conducting will lead the choir and chamber ensemble.

Frequently, pieces from requiem mass settings are heard only as part of a larger concert; you’ve never really experienced them until you do so in their entirety and as part of worship, especially when combined the heavenly acoustics heard in St. John’s beautiful sanctuary. Names of our dearly departed will be read during the service as part of a memorial celebration of their lives. If you have names of your beloved departed, please let us know and we will include their names.

We hope that you will join us for a free evening of exceptional beauty and ask that you help to spread the word about the event!