Reflection in words & music – Sunday 19th October 2025

Join The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce, Rector of St Bride's, and St Bride's Choir for this week's reflection in words and music. The late-Renaissance, English composer Thomas Weelkes – famed for his wonderful music and his wayward behaviour – set words from Psalm 132 in the jubilant seven-part anthem "O Lord, arise into thy resting-place" which the choir sings at the start of this reflection. He died in 1623 whilst visiting a friend in Fleet Street and so ended up being buried here at St Bride's. His tombstone can be seen in the main Crypt Chapel. Our reading is the Parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge and Alison cautions against drawing the wrong conclusion from this in her reflection. We close with the hymn "O thou who camest from above" written by the Methodist and great hymnist Charles Wesley and sung to the tune Hereford composed by his grandson, Samuel Wesley. Information about our weekly Sunday services in St Bride's of Choral Eucharist at 11am (https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/regular-services/choral-eucharist/) and Choral Evensong at 5:30pm (https://www.stbrides.com/worship-music/worship/regular-services/choral-evensong/) can be found on the website. Find out what's happening at St Bride's at https://www.stbrides.com/whats-on If you enjoy listening, please leave a comment below or subscribe to our channel. It is great to get your feedback. SUPPORT ST BRIDE'S ================== We are hugely grateful for people's generosity which we wholly rely on to continue our work, maintain our wonderful architectural heritage and support world-class music-making. People are often surprised to learn that St Bride's receives no external funding. If you would like to make a donation, you can do so at https://www.justgiving.com/stbrideschurchfleetstreet