Matthew Shepard: Celebration and Interment

Instead of braving the crowds at Washington National Cathedral this morning, I live-streamed the memorial service that preceded the placement of Matthew Shepard's ashes in the columbarium. Here is a link to the service leaflet if you want to follow along.

Allow me to assure those of you who are allergic to liturgy that while the format is the traditional Episcopal burial service, the musical portions of the two-hour service are quite substantial, but nearly all contemporary. The Washington Gay Men's Chorus performs a set of songs as the prelude.

Two highlights: You'll get to hear quite a bit of the oratorio I've been telling you about, "Considering Matthew Shepard," performed by Conspirare, the ensemble for which its composer, Craig Hella Johnson, composed it. Johnson pretty much leads the whole service from the piano, in fact, apart from the cathedral organist's playing of the hymns.

And if you've never heard Gene Robinson, the first openly gay bishop to be ordained by the Episcopal Church, preach, you're in for a treat!