A Beautiful Christmas Service

The Shiplake College cohort were joined by parents and friends at St Mary’s Church, Henley on Thames, in order to enjoy a festive service of lessons and carols on Tuesday 15 December. All pupils and staff headed to the church for the popular service. As well as carols, the service included readings from different pupils and members of staff, along with prayers. Reverend Stephen Cousins led the service, and Director of Music Mr Paul Jones, Mr Chris Ham and Mrs Louise Rapple-Moore led the musicians. The choirs were expertly accompanied by Mr Simon Dinsdale on the organ, and the Shiplake Brass ensemble.

The Chamber Choir opened the service to a packed church, with Welcome Yule! Skipwith Housemaster Mr Alex Duncan proceeded this with a reading of One Solitary Life. Year 9 Music scholar Bobby Howard-Jones gave a hauntingly beautiful solo of Once in Royal David’s City, with the Chamber Choir accompanying him from the second verse. Year 8 pupil Sylvester Sutherland read the First Lesson; a passage from Isaiah 9, of the foretelling of the birth of the Prince of Peace, before the Male Vocal Choir sang Carol of the Star, a traditional French carol.

Year 9 pupil Rhys Ash then read the Second Lesson; from St Luke 1 telling of the Angel Gabriel being sent to Mary. The congregation sang It Came Upon the Midnight Clear, and Year 10 pupil Fergus Keogh read the Third Lesson from St Luke 2; the Birth of Jesus. The Chamber Choir followed this with a spectacular rendition of Myn Lyking, before Year 11 pupil Daruis Braun read the Fourth Lesson, The Homage of the Shepherds. The College congregation sang Good King Wenceslas, with verses split between the Houses, the Chamber Choir and staff members.

Poems, lessons and carols followed, as well as readings from Mrs Rebecca Parker, Headmaster Mr Gregg Davies and Year 13 pupil Claire Fifield. The service ended with the congregation singing O Come, All Ye Faithful. The packed church found it to be a very moving and emotional service, with poignant reminders about the true meaning of Christmas, as well as bringing joy and love to the celebration of Christmas.