On Wednesday, February 25, Trinity offered a Service of Prayer & Witness for Our Immigrant Neighbors, creating a space for reflection, solidarity, and prayer. In place of the regular Evensong, the service invited the congregation to focus on the challenges faced by immigrant communities.

Shiloh Roby, Trinity’s Director of Music, explained that since a Taizé-style Expansive Evensong was already scheduled, the service kept that contemplative, meditative format. “As a way of offering ‘witness’ for those who could not be present to speak for themselves,” he explains, “the readings included both an article and a letter reflecting the realities within immigration processing centers, paired with scripture as a kind of biblical counterweight.”

Musically, Taizé was a natural fit. Its sometimes darker, meditative character complemented the tone of the service. “There is a wealth of material to draw from, and the biggest challenge was finding the right pieces for the right moments in the liturgy. We may not have gotten every pairing right, but we tried to handle it with care.”

Visual elements were central to the service. The congregation lit 225 electric tea lights to represent the number of detention centers in the United States. As the candles were extinguished at the end of the service, the moment became both reflective and intentional—a quiet call to action for justice and compassion. Many attendees took candles home as a lasting reminder of the service’s message.

Around 30 congregants participated, with music provided by a small ensemble rather than the full choir. Many of those who attended described the service as one of the most moving experiences they had at Trinity, appreciating its thoughtful combination of music, ritual, and reflection.