St. Andrew’s is home to the only ongoing Celtic worship experience in the greater Springfield area. We offer this service on at 5 p.m. on the second Saturday of each month (October-April).
The hour-long worship experience features prayers and music from the British Isles, including materials from the Iona and Northumbria communities. Regardless of whether the prayers and songs are ancient or contemporary, each one reflects a Celtic spirit and many times will incorporate images from the natural world. Although the service is in English, we sprinkle in some Gaelic phrases and chants from time to time. The worship space is serene as participants are enveloped by candlelight. Holy Communion is celebrated and all are welcome to receive the gifts from God’s Table.
Our resident musicians are joined by one or more guest musicians at each service, including bagpipers, harpists, flutists, guitarists, and violinists.
2024 – 2025 Dates
October 12, 2024 Theme: Harvest and Hope
The Springfield Kiltie Band
November 9, 2024 Theme: The Coming of the Dark
Susan Howland, Celtic harpist
December 14, 2024 Theme: Stillness and Waiting
The Meadow Flute Quartet
January 11, 2025 Theme: A New Beginning
Judy Handler (guitar) & Mark Levesque (mandolin)
February 8, 2025 Theme: The Coming of the Light
Tracy Downs, Celtic fiddler
March 8, 2025 Theme: In The Wilderness
George Wilson, Celtic fiddler
Video capturing the essence of Celtic worship from St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, VA:
MassLive articles about our Celtic worship experience:
- Harpist to provide Celtic music at Longmeadow Church Service
- St. Brigid of Kildare to be remembered at Celtic service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow
- St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow to host Celtic candlelight and communion service
- ‘O Come, O Come’ to Advent Celtic Candlelight Service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow
- Springfield Kiltie Band taking part in Scottish-themed church service
- Celtic evening prayer, communion service at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Longmeadow ‘uplifts hearts, minds’
Sample Celtic worship guides:
- Celtic Liturgy November 12-Feast of St. Andrew
- Celtic Liturgy Advent-2016
- Celtic Liturgy January 2017
- Celtic Liturgy February 2017