Service of Reflection and Hope, St Paul’s Cathedral

A Service of Reflection and Hope

On 22 June 2021, I represented the Worshipful Company of Tylers and Bricklayers at the Lord Mayor’s Service of Reflection and Hope at St Paul’s Cathedral.

Along with other representatives from City livery companies the service was attended by the Lord Mayor, Aldermen, City officials, members of the NHS, first responders, armed forces and volunteers who had helped during the Coronavirus pandemic. The Service was led by the Dean of St Paul’s, Dr David Ison, and the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally. There was also participation from the Jewish and Muslim communities. In his opening welcome the Dean asked us to remember those who had lost their lives as a result of the pandemic, to give thanks for the sacrificial efforts of those who had risen to meet the needs of the many throughout the year, and to look forward in hope to the future.

After his words there was a moment of silence to remember those who had died. Then followed an AfricanAmerican Spiritual, Deep river, my home is over Jordan sung by the choir. Never have I heard music sung with such feeling by what sounded like the voices of angels, and which brought tears to the eyes of many in the congregation, including myself. A testimony was then given by Dr Will Ricketts, a chest consultant from Barts Hospital. He talked about how he and his colleagues at Barts had coped with the pandemic saying that experts from many other aspects of health care who gave up their specialities to help in the crisis. He was sad to say that on many days when he began his shift, some of his patients were no longer there to care for as they had passed away. He thanked all those who had helped, by taking food to the hospital for the staff to eat during their long shifts, or by showing them simple acts of kindness, or the Clapping for the NHS on Thursday evenings. The address was given by Bishop Sarah. She reminded us of the long history of our City insofar as we had overcome plagues in the past and grown stronger as a result. She hoped that the City of London would come back to a full life again very soon. I knew the service was going to be very much about expressing sorrow for all those died and thanks to all those who had served on the front line during the pandemic. But what I took most from it was the hope that we can get through the pandemic and look forward a future together. It was a service that I will remember for the rest of my life.

Masters of over 40 livery companies gather in the Courtyard of Apothecaries’ Hall before processing to St Paul’s Cathedral for the service Lesley Day

Deputy Master