VI CHAPEL AND CH O I R Sacristan: J Pelser. Wardens: T Boniface, J Brewster, S Burston, O C Dalseme-Stubbs, E R Parsloe, K Relph, J Redburn, V Sautter, M L Skipsey. Organ Scholars: J V Dilworth, R Colman. Sometimes the Chapel is full and noisy, glistening by candle-light in the winter dark to the strains of singing; sometimes it is quieter, with the spring sunshine gently bringing the silent stained glass to life, but all year round it is a beautiful and peaceful haven, a link with our Benedictine origins, and a place of prayer, celebration, and stillness for the whole community. At the beginning of 2013, the 35th Master of Magdalene was installed at a splendid and very well-attended Choral Evensong in January, greeted by a trumpet fanfare, and it was a delight to welcome some of his family and friends to share the public start of his tenure here. Other highlights included the familiar Advent Carol Service by candlelight. The two Christmas Carol Services, one for students and one for staff (and in response to demand from these groups), continue to grow. Corporate Communion services in the Michaelmas and Lent Terms (or ‘curry and cake night’, as they are casually known!) continue to be very popular; and Remembrance Sunday – at which the Choir sang Fauré’s Requiem – remains a poignant and well-supported occasion for reflection. Following an approach from former Organ Scholar Alex Woodrow, now Director of Music at Bradford Cathedral, we welcomed a group of boys from their choir who joined our Choir to sing Sunday Evensong and dine in Hall (17 February). This wonderful event gave some young people from quite deprived backgrounds a glimpse of (and perhaps a hint of aspiration for?) university life. Preachers we welcomed included the Bishops of Rochester, Worcester, Bradford, and Southampton and the Dean of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich. From the Faculty of Divinity we heard from Professor Graham Davies (Fitzwilliam College) and Dr Catherine Pickstock (Emmanuel College). Former Dean of Chapel and now Dean of Bristol, the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle, helped us celebrate the 400th Anniversary of the Authorised Version of the Bible; the Right Revd Richard Moth (Roman Catholic Bishop of the Armed Forces) reflected on Remembrance Sunday; and the Revd Dr James Heard (Associate Vicar of Christ Church and St Luke’s, Chelsea, who was attached to the Chapel during his ordination training) returned to preach. Other visiting preachers we welcomed were the Revd Stewart Fyfe (Parish Priest of the Leith-Lyvennet Parishes, Cumbria); the Revd Canon Vanessa Herrick (Rector of Wimborne Minster, Dorset); Loretta Minghella (Director of Christian Aid); the Revd Dr Jeni Parsons (formerly Rector of Matston, Gloucestershire); and Dom Henry Wansbrough OSB (Ampleforth Abbey).
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