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Why go to church? 'Eucharist' means 'Thanksgiving'. We go to give public expression to our gratitude. In the vast mega-cities of the world, entirely constructed environments, congregations assemble to give witness to our generous God. In the bustling urban jungle, they offer places of praise and, more rarely, silence. Of course I can give praise in the privacy of my home – 'seven times a day I thank you' (Psalm 119.164) – but in justice to God and my neighbour I must make visible my gratitude. And we shall recognize the same impulse of gratitude in people of other faiths. In the Hasidic rabbis of the eighteenth century, such as the Baal Shem Tov, or the Sufi mystics like Rumi, one recognizes their gratitude as one's own. Belief in God the Creator overthrows religious division. We recognize a fellow thanker, even if their Eucharists take other forms.

Radcliffe, Timothy. Why Go To Church? London: Bloomsbury, 2008. Page 77

This is exactly why a predominantly Christian America should not be afraid of other religious voices in the public square. And in a world where too many are unjustifiably afraid of other religious expressions, the recent reticence shown by Duke University is reprehensible.

Please pair the above quote with "Unwavering Pluralism and the Beloved Community in the Face of Duke's Decision" by Omid Safi.

Religious folk must lead the way. If we truly believe in God, this should, as Radcliffe says, overcome religious division.

Labels: Duke Chapel, Timothy Radcliffe

You might think that there would be fewer Evensong services in the summer, and you would be right.

But there are some wonderful things that happen in the summer that lead to some great singing at Evensong services. I took part in my own at the Royal School of Church Music (RSCM) Carolina Course last month at Duke Chapel.

And I'm just back from Evensong from the Washington DC RSCM Course concluding Evensong at the National Cathedral on Sunday, where the service was also splendid.

I'm not familiar with much about the National Cathedral, and I wish I didn't have to be critical of what was a very fine service, but I will say that one of the things that made the Carolina Course evensong so meaningful was the excellent preaching, and the focus on music in the sermon. I think that with choristers from all over the country, (even a couple from Christ Church Cathedral, Indianapolis!) this was a real missed opportunity this past Sunday.

Girls' Choristers Course at St. Thomas, Fifth Avenue, New York City

• Choral Evensong - Tuesday 30 July
• Choral Evensong - Thursday 1 August
• Choral Eucharist - Sunday 4 August

The Three Choirs Festival

Choral Evensong

The Southern Cathedral's Festival

Choral Evensong (will air tomorrow, Wednesday 7 August and be available for the week following).

Labels: Christ Church Cathedral (Indianapolis), Duke Chapel, Evensong, National Cathedral, RSCM, St Thomas (New York), Three Choirs Festival