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Chapel Matters Some quotes about ‘The Chapel’:
“Renowned for its vibrant atmosphere and feel good factor, ‘The Chapel’ promises a great time for everyone. We guarantee an experience that will keep you coming back time and time again...” “Designed to be an oasis ........ guests at ‘The Chapel’ come for the expert advice and stay for the warm, welcome and friendly approach.” In case you thought that these were real quotes from pupils or teachers at Bromsgrove School I should point out that the first was an advert for a night club and the second was for a hair salon - both called ‘The Chapel’.
www.bromsgrove-school.co.uk
At Bromsgrove our pupils might not all use such terms to describe our Chapel. However, for some it is an oasis where they can be quiet at the beginning of a long and busy day ahead. It may also be a place where they can get some good advice through the many and varied talks that are given there. It is certainly a place that they keep coming back to as they attend Chapel regularly during the week and for special services throughout the year. One of the highlights in Chapel this year was the Confirmation Service led by the Bishop of Dudley, the Right Reverend David Walker, who confirmed the largest number of pupils for over ten years. The Chapel Choir has grown again, both in number and in quality, through the leadership of Jonathan Kingston who will be missed greatly as he moves on to new musical challenges outside the school environment.
During his time as Director of Music he has led the choir to a number of cathedrals at home (Windsor and York this year alone) and abroad (New York), but importantly the choir has faithfully led worship in Chapel and their singing has often been out of this world. Meanwhile the Prep School choir has also grown and it looks as if we may need to consider extending the choir stalls. This year has seen the publication of a new school hymn book which we hope will be well used for many years to come, embracing the best hymns of the past but also more modern hymns too. There has been increased use of technology in Chapel with those leading worship using audio-visual material during their talks. So far it’s only been the Bishop who has used an ipad but chapel may be seen to be where the past, the present and the future all come together. As we worship in Chapel our faith is in a God who is unchanging but also embraces the whole of time in his involvement with us. So Chapel matters! It has in the past; it still matters today and we believe it matters in the future of our School. Rev P Hedworth (Chaplain)