Local choirs premier new work on All Saints Day

By Chris Kelley

Cathedral of Hope United Church of Christ, known as the largest predominantly LGBTQ+ church in the world, will premiere “The Field of Light,” a music piece commissioned in tribute to the Saints known personally and for the millions who have died worldwide during the pandemic.

Written by American Composer Z. Randall Stroop, the piece will premiere on All Saints’ Day (Nov. 7) at the 8:30 and 10 a.m. services, as well as a 7 p.m. All Saint’s Concert. This concert is free to the public. COVID-19 protocols will be observed, including required masks.

More than five million people worldwide have died from COVID-19, among them nearly 750,000 in the United States.

“We won’t forget the millions who have died during the pandemic” said the Rev. Dr. Neil G. Thomas, Senior Pastor of Cathedral of Hope. “We will join with our siblings from across North Texas for a powerful opportunity to remember, honor, and give thanks for the saints of our lives through music and shared community during this time of sorrow.”

 The All Saints’ Concert will feature music from the Cathedral of Hope Choir and Orchestra, St. Matthew’s Lutheran Church Chancel Choir, Ridglea Christian Church Chancel Choir, Fort Worth, Texas, Royal Lane Baptist Church and the Turtle Creek Choral Chamber Choir.

This event is an opportunity to remember those people we have lost over the last year, as well as to worship among a supporting community.

Cathedral of Hope, a congregation of the United Church of Christ (UCC), is the world’s largest liberal Christian church with a primary outreach to lesbians, gays, bisexuals and transgender people. Cathedral of Hope is located at 5910 Cedar Springs Rd. in Dallas. For more information, call 214-457-5266.