Abbey welcomes Lord Mayor of Westminster
Monday, 6th September 2021
Matins, attended in Civic State by the Lord Mayor of Westminster, Councillor Jonathan Glanz, was held at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 5th September 2021.
The service, an annual celebration of the historic links between the Abbey and the City of Westminster, was also attended by Westminster councillors and other civic representatives.
The Reverend Anthony Ball, Canon in Residence, gave the Welcome and pronounced the Blessing.
The Address was given by the Lord Mayor's Chaplain, the Reverend Dr Adam Scott.
Councillor Rachael Robathan, Leader, Westminster City Council, read Ecclesiasticus 27:30 – 28:9; and the Lord Mayor read Revelation 8:1-5.
Prayers were led by the Reverend Mark Birch, Minor Canon and Precentor; and Lord Greenhalgh, Minister for Building Safety and Communities with responsibilities for Faith.
The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir, conducted James O'Donnell, Organist and Master of the Choristers. The organ was played by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist.
Before the service, the Abbey's ‘Laetatus Bell’ was tolled. An inscription on the bell reads: 'Laetatus sum. Floreat civitas: Floreat Senatus' (I was glad (Psalm 122: 1). May the city flourish: May Parliament flourish.)
Afterwards, the Westminster Abbey Company of Ringers rang all ten of the Abbey bells for the first time since March 2020 when coronavirus restrictions meant that ringing was suspended.
