For an hour at least, gathering offers a respite as week begins

The click of church volunteer Liz Hill's lighter punctuated the vaulted silence of St. John's Episcopal Church last Sunday night. Hill gave a dozen rain-dampened guests a votive candle and a program detailing the compline, a nocturnal prayer service that dates to the fourth century. The compline, though, was just half of Night Song, the hour-long program of music, sacred texts, chanting, and meditation directed by Daryl Bichel.

"It's my hinge between weekend and week," said Pam Kristan, 61, of Jamaica Plain. "It's a chance to get quiet and centered and check out what's going on inside."

Started last December by Bichel, 58, a musician who runs a bed and breakfast in JP, the free event has drawn a few dozen visitors each Sunday night. He chalked up this week's thin turnout to the Oscars telecast and precipitation, and he focused on the qualitative, not quantitative.

"We're trying to provide a space for serenity, peace, charity, tranquillity," said Bichel, who varies weekly the musical selections, melodies, and readings. He believes the event transcends its Christian content to offer something for all. "You bathe yourself in the music and your background doesn't matter," said Bichel.

Ben Schwendener agreed. "What's being communicated is communication, hope through art," said Schwendener, 46, a practicing Buddhist and accomplished pianist, composer, and New England Conservatory teacher who jumped at the chance to work with Bichel.

After blowing out the candles at the close of the service, Hill, 48, of Roslindale, had her metaphor for Night Song: "A deep breath before the week starts."

Visit www.nightsong.org for details about tonight's 7 p.m. service.

RON FLETCHER