Chapel
by Father Mark M
y annual report on the Chapel at
King's allows me to look back at
the past year and all that has
been offered to God in worship. I used to
think that the Chapel was inspiring
despite the fact that we are made up of
people with a wide range of beliefs,
convictions and ideas. I have come to see
that it is precisely because of this diversity
that our worship is so special. The
questions and the variety of contributions
create a wonderful richness which uplifts
us all, in good times and in bad.
In the Michaelmas term we held our first
Patronal Festival for many years; it was a
joyful celebration of King Alfred, after whom
King's is named, as well as our Patron
Saints, St Mary and St Andrew. The Senior
Provost of the Woodard Corporation, Canon
Brendan Clover, delivered the sermon.
After the Eucharist, the King Alfred half-term
holiday week began.
The Remembrance Day Eucharist was
once again a very moving occasion. It is
the tradition at King's for an Old Aluredian
who is currently serving in HM Forces, or
who has military connections, to lay the
wreath on behalf of the Old Aluredian Club.
This year it was our privilege to welcome
back Lieutenant Lorna Collins from 28
Engineer Regiment who left King's College
in 2002.
Later in November, I travelled with both
the King's College and the King's Hall
School choirs to Westminster Abbey for a
wonderful service of thanksgiving. This
brought the 2011 celebrations of our
founder Nathaniel Woodard to a close.
What a joyful noise filled the Abbey, it will
never be forgotten.
The delight in the coming of Christ was
celebrated with a service of nine lessons
with carols at the end of term. Once
again, Canon Brendan Clover was in
attendance. The choir led us in the
singing of carols and Christmas hymns,
and representatives of the whole school
community read the nine lessons.
During the Lent term the spotlight is quite
rightly on our annual service of
Confirmation and First Communion. This
year the Lord Bishop of Bath and Wells,
The Right Reverend Peter Price, confirmed
no fewer than 30 pupils and one member
of staff. They are Louisa Cave, Polly
Chelton, Simon Chicken, Georgia Drew,
Henry Dufosee, Georgina Evans, Leo
Forster, Amelia Fulford, Max Germain,
Sophie Gibb, Lillie Grant, Lydia Gray,
Victoria Greenland, Annabella HadenTaylor,
Olivia Hake, Beth Horsham, Alex
Madge, Patrick Mason, Lucie McFarlane,
Olivia Murray, Annie O'Neill, Olivia Pittman,
Charles Rodgers, Euphemia Smith, Zach
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