Thursday 20 February 2025
In our last Chapel Update, it was a joy to be able to welcome those who are new to the King’s College community. As we enter our fourth week of school life, we hope (and pray) that you are finding your feet as a family and are being well-oriented. As someone once said, and as I have reminded my children from time to time: “Everything is difficult before it is easy…”
Speaking of all things new, one of the things that you may be encountering for the first time is our Sunday Chapel House services. These are a compulsory part of College life, with the clear expectation that students, accompanied by a family member or guardian, attend these flagship services.
In our Chapel Centenary year, we are focusing across our services on the three interrelated themes of, ‘Remembrance, Celebration and Service.’ The Chapel Choir will be singing - led by the amazing Mr Steven Rapana (Head of Choirs) and we are blessed to have one of the country’s top organists, Mr Nicholas Forbes accompanying us. The Sunday services begin for Day Houses at 6pm - usually finishing with a light supper, while Boarding House Chapel days usually start with a House social gathering, followed by the 7.15pm service.
The schedule of Sunday services for Term 1 is:
- Sunday 23 February - 6pm, Peart & Marion Bruce Sunday Day House Chapel Service
- Sunday 2 March – 6pm, Marsden and Greenbank - Sunday Chapel Service
- Sunday 2 March – 7.15pm, School and Selwyn Sunday Chapel Service
- Sunday 23 March – 6pm, Parnell and Major Sunday House Chapel Service
- Sunday 23 March – 7.15pm, St. John and Middlemore Sunday Chapel Service
- Sunday 30 March – 6pm, Taylor and Averill Sunday House Chapel Service
On another note, it has been wonderful to begin the College year with a Sacristan training event to introduce the Sacristan team to one another, and to assist the Chaplaincy team. Traditionally, a Sacristan was a person who worked in the ‘sacristy’ – a room set aside in an Abbey or church. The Sacrist/Sacristan cared for those items used in worship and in liturgy, including the articles used in the Eucharist.
These days, a Sacristan role is a broader one. The Senior Sacristans have responsibility for looking after key portfolios across the Chapel, as well as reading or praying in the schoolwide services. The Sacristans look after the day-to-day Chapel duties, including being a conduit for the Community Service announcements, pastoral support of their House members and ensuring Chapel services are prepared for. Each Sunday Chapel service this term, we will be commissioning those who have been appointed to their respective Houses to serve as House Sacristans.
The team is as follows:
House Sacristans:
Ryan Gabriel – Major
Jordan Yang – Greenbank
Charlie Wadham – Averill
Noah Wong – School
Fergus Meredith – Peart
Oscar Masfen – St John’s
Noah Petelo – Marsden
Joseph Tautu-Buchanan – Selwyn
Issy Toms – Taylor
Amelia Porter – Middlemore
Tabitha Snowsill – Marion Bruce
Tipene Lee-Lemon – Parnell
Senior Sacristans:
Viggo Huljich – Senior Sacristan (Marsden)
Harry Power – Senior Sacristan (Major)
Ella McCutcheon – Senior Sacristan (Middlemore)
Sofia Gong – Senior Sacristan (Marion Bruce)
Gemma Kidd – Senior Sacristan – (Marion Bruce)
Johan Schaumkell – Senior Sacristan – (School)
Go well, as you settle in.
Peace and grace,
Rev Gareth Walters