Chapel
by
Father Mark
Aluredian
28
Confirmation candidates
2009 with the Bishop of
Bath and Wells
Image © Harry MarshallT
his year has been marked by
the bedding down of our new
whole-school Wednesday
Eucharists and I am very
pleased with improvements in
singing, the responses and the
general positive atmosphere. One pupil said to
me a few months ago, "Father Mark, I don't
know why, but I quite like Chapel on a
Wednesday." Thanks to donations from the
Friends of King's and the Joan Sewell Bequest
Fund we had a large retractable screen and
projector installed. This enables us to use
images and occasionally video material to
enhance worship and for presentations by
pupils and guest speakers.
My thanks especially to Mr Albery, Mr
Campbell and the choir for all their work week
by week. It is much appreciated and enhances
our worship greatly. My thanks also to the
members of staff who have so willingly assisted
with the chalice, the Headmaster, Mrs
McSwiggan, Dr Lewis, Dr Poland, Mr Dossett,
Mrs Chadwick, Mr Polley and Mr McKegney.
Mr Dossett and Mr Polley both retired at the
end of the Summer term and I am delighted
that Mr Toby Smith and Mrs Anna Butler have
agreed to take their places. As a parting gift,
Mick Polley kindly donated a beautiful second
Processional Cross which is light enough for
younger pupils to carry.
The annual Confirmation took place on March
8th during the Lent term. The Bishop of Bath
and Wells, The Right Reverend Peter Price,
confirmed 25 pupils in a wonderful service.
They are Rebecca Potter, Lara Rodgers, Tory
Clark, Lucy Sharp, Alan Lennox-Boyd, Kathleen
Sondern, Isabelle Arliss, Caroline Lloyd, William
Jasper, Robin Danaher, Kate Taylor, Charles
Morris, Thomas Sharp, Fleur Netley, Bryony
House, Henrietta Thomson, Guy Morris, Alice
Davies, Liz Tuffin, Henry Tetley, William
Johnson, Harriet Kean, Harry Heal, Lucy
Chapman and Thomas Walters.
This year we also held a Harvest Festival
Eucharist for the first time in many years.
It was a colourful and happy service of
Thanksgiving for all God's gifts to us.
During the year the Oasis group, which meets
after prep on Tuesday evenings, has continued
to be a highlight of the week and there have
been some spectacular and moving devotions
by a wide range of volunteers from the group,
followed, of course, by hot chocolate and
doughnuts.
Our Friday services are now devoted largely to
talks by charities, or from members of staff and
pupils, as well as other interesting and
inspiring presentations. Charities we have
supported during the year, from non-uniform
days and Chapel collections, have been The
Royal British Legion, The Army Benevolent
Fund, Bibic Bridgwater, the new Open Door
Shelter in Taunton, Brainwave, The Diocesan
Zambia link, Cry (UK), The Gideons, Help for
Heroes and an orphanage in Kenya run by
Dominican friars.
"Father Mark, I don't
know why, but I quite
like Chapel on a
Wednesday."