Celtic Service

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: