Music and the arts are important parts of our life as a community. Our worship gatherings, performing artist concerts, art shows, classes and retreats all use the creative energy of music and art as a spiritual practice. In fact, innovation and creativity are highly valued here. We want to create a community that naturally attracts people who can express their own creativity or enjoy the creativity of others. Our community canvas is filled with a diverse, energetic population of interesting and interested people.
Our musical heritage is one of the world’s richest and most deeply spiritual. It’s an extremely diverse and multilayered art that brings together many traditions from England to South Africa, from the Americas to Asia. If it connects us to God, then we’ll use it.
Chancel Choir
A choral ensemble of professional standards that does much more than just sing. They are true musicians who bring out the spirit in all of us. Rehearsals are Sundays at 12 noon, following the morning service, with a brief warm-up rehearsal each week at 9am beforethe liturgy.
The Gallery 2024-2025 Season
The Gallery at St. Asaph’s features local artists throughout the year in exhibits that change monthly. Our gallery space provides an attractive venue for artists and a welcoming meeting place for the community. Art openings are welcoming and energized events connecting us further with the creativity we embrace.
September 13 to October 13, 2024
Opening Friday, September 13, 2024, 6:00pm
Carolyn Blacker: Seeking Freedom: Faces of Incarceration
Invited Guest Speaker: Termaine Hicks
Sunday, September 22, 2024, following Coffee Hour
Mr. Hicks, an Innocence Project client, was wrongly convicted of a rape that took place in Philadelphia in 2001. “It’s a joyful day for me and my family,” Mr. Hicks said after being released. “At the same time, my thoughts and prayers are with the countless others who are not coming home today — or ever because of an impulsive, ill-prepared, and apprehensive cop. The way that cops approach Black and brown men and women … stems from years of systemic racism. We need a whole new system.”
October 18 to November 10, 2024
Opening Friday, October 18, 2024, 6:00pm
Frances Jewell Morris Hubbard
This exhibit incorporates a years-long retrospective of the artist’s work.
November 15 to December 8, 2024
Opening Friday, November 15, 2024, 6:00pm
An Exhibit dedicated to preserving the legacy and works of pioneer Asian American artist and educator Chen Lok Lee(1927-2020). Managed by daughter Romana Lee.
December 13, 2024 to January 5, 2025
Opening Friday, December 13, 2024, 6:00pm
“Old Tree & the Sea”
Elizabeth (LiLy) Milroy
After four decades spent writing about other people’s art, LiLy Milroy has returned to making art herself. Summers in Maine afford her the opportunity to sketch and photograph studies for watercolors and pencil drawings while exploring the forests and the coast. When in Philadelphia, she finds subjects in and around East and West Fairmount Park.
March 7 to April 13, 2025 (Lent)
Opening Friday, March 7, 2025, 6:00pm
Souls Shot Portrait Project
This project links fine artists with families or friends of victims of gun violence. The artists meet with the victims’ loved ones to learn about the lives they lived. Their goal is to present diverse works that in some way relay graphically, or through narrative, the essence of the person being portrayed.
The Project’s mission is to bring attention to and memorialize the lives lost and tragically altered due to gun violence. Portraits have the unique ability to call out the souls and profoundly affect those who see them.
April 20 (Easter Sunday) to May 26, 2025
Opening Friday, April 25, 2025, 6:00pm
Center for Creative Works
Lori Bartol, director
Organ Recitals
The American Guild of Organists is returning to Saint Asaph’s again this year, featuring organ recitals on our Johannus-Austin organ during the month of October. Five artists will be featured on their Tuesday Noon Recital Series, concluding with a recital by Roy Harker on Tuesday, October 29, 2024. Our guest organists this year are Erik Meyer (October 1), Andy Heller (October 8), Mib Campbell (October 15), and Jeff Fowler (October 22).
Concerts
St. Asaph’s beautiful Gothic revival sanctuary provides an inspiring venue for worship and for concert events. Our flexible seating allows for intimate settings for smaller ensembles and acoustics that draw the listener in to even greater connection with the performance.
Kairos Trio in Concert
Tom Di Sarlo – violin, Talia Schiff – cello, Kasia Marzec-Salwinski – piano
Sunday, October 27, 2024
3:00pm
Music By Beethoven, Joaquin Turina, and Dora Pejačević
Sunday, April 6, 2025
3:00pm
Monteverde String Quartet in Concert
Sunday, November 24, 2024
3:00pm
Sunday, March 23, 2025
3:00pm