It is with silence, rather than noise, that the service of Compline begins. Succeeded by a hymn and ending with a short prayer, the service spans only fifteen minutes. Despite the brevity of the service, those who attend are immersed in space and time for relaxation and contemplation.

“The compline service is a part of the traditional daily services,” Rev. Whiteman explained, “In the Anglican tradition [there are] four daily services and Compline is the last one,” He elaborated that Compline is usually practiced before the end of the day and in a community. “Currently the Monastic community is continuing the compline daily services,” he states. The service begins with silence and then is followed by a song. “The music that we use for the song is plainchant—what you usually think of when you think of monks chanting.” Next, there is a singing of a hymn, then a short reading of a scripture. The service concludes a prayer with an aim to center and focus.

Originally, Reverend Whiteman offered the service experimentally, saying he “wanted to hold [the service] and see what happened . . . and then figure out where to go depending the amount of people that came.” The purpose of the service, he says, is granting a time for reflection, as well as providing people with “an optional service for those seeking a deeper meaning or a deeper connection towards God.” Reverend Whiteman enjoys conducting these services because he believes it is “a nice way to focus and take a break. It’s more contemplative to sit back and be for about ten minutes. Despite some occurrences of biblical references, such within the some songs, an example being Song of Simeon (a song sung by the prophet to the Jesus), Rev. Whiteman says, “[The service] is really open to everyone.”

Angelika Hillios ‘19, who has attended multiple Thursday Compline services, agrees with Rev. Whiteman’s statement about the service’s welcoming all backgrounds and beliefs. “You don’t have to be religious or from a specific religion to enjoy the singing,” she said. Angelika also uses the fifteen-minute service as an opportunity to unwind: “My favorite part is just listening along. In such a big space the sound seems so much louder—like it’s swimming all around you or something. It’s a very spiritual experience.” In such a tightly-scheduled and busy environment as Groton, she finds it crucial to “slow yourself down and reflect” and to “just be in the moment.”

As for the future of the services, Reverend Whiteman plans to continue them throughout the year; he enjoys making a time for those who want to “focus and take a breath.” Thursday Compline services do not fail to provide relief from the constant onslaught of stress and work. In only a short time, the service allows well-needed rest and contemplation and welcomes those from all different faiths to join, whether they seek tranquility, sanctity or meditation.