Pupils Enjoy Confirmation Service

This last week has been an important one in the Shiplake College calendar for church services: both the Ascension Day service and the Confirmation service were held in the Parish Church and the Great Hall, and family and friends came to enjoy the services and support those involved. Former Shiplake Chaplain the Reverend Robert Prance visited to give an address for the Ascension Day service on Thursday 5 May, and the Right Reverend Bishop Colin Fletcher OBE, Bishop of Dorchester, visited to host the Service of Conformation and First Communion on Sunday 8 May.

The Ascension Day service, held at St Peter and St Paul’s Church, opened with a welcome from Head Chapel Warden Dominic Allen. A prominent event in the Christian calendar, Ascension Day is one of ecumenical feasts, marking the day that the resurrected Jesus was taken to Heaven in his resurrected body. The service continued with a hymn, and a reading given by Deputy Head Chapel Warden Guy Pollard. Reverend Robert Prance then gave an address to the congregation, before the Chamber Choir gave an exquisite performance of Domine Deus, Agnus Dei from Vivaldi’s Gloria. The service ended with a blessing given by the Shiplake College Chaplain Reverend Stephen Cousins.

The Confirmation Service took place on Sunday 8 May in fantastic sunshine. Bishop Colin returned to the College to perform the ceremony, and pupils being confirmed were brilliantly supported by friends, family and staff members. The College community saw an excellent turnout, including the confirmation candidates’ academic tutors and housemasters. Prior to the beginning of the ceremony, candidates were invited to make a silent act of confession for anything in their past about which they felt uncomfortable; these thoughts were written down and burned by the Bishop, as a sign of a clean slate and a fresh start. The service began with a welcome from the Chaplain, Reverent Stephen Cousins, before hymns and readings took place. The Bishop greeted the people, and gave a heart-warming address on such a special day for those being confirmed. The Chamber Choir sang once again, singing Domine Fili Unigenite, a different movement from Vivaldi’s Gloria. The Chamber Choir also sang an arrangement of Spirit of the Living God during communion. The presentation of the candidates then took place; this marks the baptised person receiving the gift of the Holy Spirit. A communion followed, and then each candidate was presented with a lighted candle by their tutor, symbolising God delivering them from the dominion of darkness and giving a place with the saints in light.

The service was beautiful and the candidates were delighted to have been confirmed. Reverend Stephen Cousins was thrilled with how both of the services went, and the commitment shown by the pupils. We now look forward to the upcoming Riverside Communion on Wednesday 15 June, at 7.30pm. Parents are welcome to attend.