Choral Evensong: ‘Reality and Illusion’

WEEK 2 – Sunday 20 October

Trinity 21

PREACHER: Canon Professor Mark Chapman

Responses: Byrd

Psalm 39

Readings: Joshua 14.6–14, Matthew 12.1–21

Canticles: Byrd Fauxbourdons

Anthem: Tomkins My Shepherd is the Living Lord

Hymn: NEH 373 – How shall I sing that majesty

Preacher’s bio:

Canon Mark Chapman is Professor of the History of Modern Theology at the University of Oxford and Distinguished Fellow of Ripon College Cuddesdon. He has written widely on historical theology, church history and Anglicanism. Mark lectures in sociology of religion and is Canon Theologian of Truro Cathedral. He was awarded a Doctor of Theology honoris causa from the University of Bonn in 2021.

Mark was brought up in south-east Essex and Berkshire and studied Politics and Philosophy, and then Theology at Trinity College, Oxford. He also spent a year in Munich during his doctoral studies. After his doctorate, he was Stephenson Research Fellow at the University of Sheffield before he joined the staff at Cuddesdon in 1992. Mark trained on the Oxford Ministry Course and was ordained deacon in 1994 and priest in 1995. He is married to Linda and they have two grown-up sons. He likes travelling, cooking, good food, films, theatre, politics and Radio 3.

WEEK 3 – Sunday 27 October

Bible Sunday

PREACHER: The Revd Canon Dr Neil Evans

Responses: McDowall

Psalm 119.1–16

Readings: Jeremiah 36.9–end, Romans 10.5–17

Canticles: Weelkes Sixth Service

Anthem: Stanford Beati quorum via

Hymn: NEH – 348 Come, Holy Ghost, our hearts inspire

Preacher’s bio:

Following a career in NHS management, Neil was ordained in 1984 and served in parishes in East and West London. From 2005 he was Director of Ministry for the Diocese of London, serving on the Bishop of London’s senior staff. Neil was a Prebendary of St Paul’s Cathedral, and in 2022 he became Residentiary Canon and Steward of St Paul’s, retiring earlier this year. He has recently been invited to take up the post of interim Dean of Southwell Minster (Cathedral of the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham), and will begin this ministry in November. Neil is married to Debbie, a Primary Headteacher. They have two adult children who are living and working in London.

WEEK 4 – Sunday 3 November

All Saints’ Day & 4th Sunday before Advent

PREACHER: The Revd Fergus Butler Gallie

Introit: Harris Holy is the True Light

Responses: McDowall

Psalm 150

Readings: Isaiah 65.17–end, Hebrews 11.32–12.2

Canticles: Stanford in C

Anthem: Bullock Give us the Wings of Faith

Hymn: NEH – 381 Jerusalem the golden

Preacher’s bio

The Revd Fergus Butler Gallie is the author of three books, numerous articles, and reviews. Educated at Oxford and Cambridge and following ordination in 2018, he served in churches in Liverpool and Central London as well as in chaplaincy at a school in Kent. Fergus is the Vicar of Charlbury, Oxfordshire, and Associate Chaplain at Keble College.

WEEK 5 – Sunday 10 November

Remembrance Sunday & 3rd Sunday before Advent

PREACHER: The Chaplain

Introit: D. Guest For the Fallen

Responses: McDowall

Psalm 121

Readings: Isaiah 10.33–11.9, John 14.23–29

Canticles: Farrant Short Service

Anthem: Walford Davies Vox ultima crucis

Hymn: NEH – 417 O God, our help in ages past

WEEK 6 – Sunday 17 November

2nd Sunday before Advent

PREACHER: The Chaplain

Responses: Ayleward

Psalm 95

Readings: Daniel 3.13–end, Matthew 13.24–30, 36–43

Canticles: Wood in E flat (2nd)

Anthem: Daley Upon your heart

Hymn: NEH 466 – Thou, whose almighty word

WEEK 7 – Sunday 24 November

Christ the King & the Next Sunday before Advent

PREACHER: The Revd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt

Introit: Stainer God so Loved the World

Responses: Ayleward

Psalm 72

Readings: 1 Samuel 8.4–20, John 18.33–37

Canticles: Murrill in E

Anthem: Wood O Thou the Central Orb

Hymn: NEH 394 – Let all the world in every corner sing

Preacher’s bio

The Revd Canon Dr Joanna Collicutt is a Supernumerary Fellow at Harris Manchester College and a member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion, and Medical Sciences Division. She studied experimental psychology and (later) theology at Oxford, and clinical psychology and (later) Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London, where she is still pursuing doctoral studies.

After many years working in the National Health Service as a clinical psychologist, Joanna moved into the field of psychology of religion as Director of the MA programme in psychology of religion at Heythrop College, University of London. From 2010 to 2020 she was Karl Jaspers Lecturer in psychology and spirituality at Cuddesdon, and Oxford Diocesan Older People’s Adviser. Her recent books include The psychology of Christian character formation (SCM, 2015), Neurology and religion (CUP, 2019), So longeth my soul: A reader in Christian spirituality (SCM, 2024), Death and life: A church’s guide to exploring mortality (BRF, 2024).

WEEK 8 – Sunday 1 December

1st Sunday of Advent

PREACHER: The Chaplain

Introit: Goldschmidt A Tender Shoot

Responses: Byrd

Psalm 67

Readings: Joel 3.9–end, Revelation 14.13–15.4

Canticles: Forbes-L’Estrange King’s College Service

Anthem: Whitacre Lux aurumque

Hymn: NEH 3 – Come, thou long-expected Jesus