Metropolitan Police Service holds Abbey carol service

Thursday, 20th December 2018

Metropolitan Police Service holds Abbey carol service

Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester attended the Metropolitan Police Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on Wednesday 19th December 2018.

The service was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall, who said in his Bidding:

We have come together as the family of God, in our Father’s presence, to celebrate the great festival of Christmas. In this service we hear and receive the good news of the birth of Christ and we offer to God our thanksgiving in the joyful singing of carols. As we gather together in the name of Christ, we pray for the world he came to save: for the Church, that it may be enabled in our generation to surrender anew to God’s holy wisdom, and bear the good news of God’s love to a needy world; for the world, which is already Christ’s, that all its peoples may recognise their responsibility for its future, and may be inspired by the message of Christmas to work together for the establishment of justice, freedom, and peace everywhere; and for all in special need: the sick, the anxious, the lonely, the fearful, and the bereaved; that the peace and light of the Christ-child may bring hope and healing to all who sit in darkness.

The Address was given by the Right Reverend and Right Honourable Dame Sarah Mullally DBE, Bishop of London.

Lessons were read by Chief Superintendent Ade Adelekan, OCU Commander, Violent Crime Taskforce (Genesis 3: 8-14); Sarah Clarke OBE, Lady Usher of the Black Rod (Isaiah 60: 1-6, 19); Andrew Parker, Director General, MI5 (St Luke 1: 26-38); Cressida Dick CBE QPM, Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis (St Matthew 1: 18–23); and the Right Reverend Stephen Cottrell, Bishop of Chelmsford (St John 1: 1–14).

Prayers were led by the Reverend Jonathan Osborne, Senior Chaplain, Metropolitan Police Service and Priest Vicar, Westminster Abbey; and said by: Joanna Bliault, Forensic Accountant, Organised Crime Command; Arabella Hyde, Met Operations; Inspector Peter Shaw, Hackney Borough; Inspector Richard Coss, Royalty and Specialist Protection; Acting Detective Sergeant Loy Hartwell, Learning and Development OCU; and Sue Kilbey, Personal Assistant to Assistant Commissioner Helen Ball.

The service was sung by the Westminster Abbey Special Service Choir conducted by Peter Holder, Sub-Organist. The organ was played by Matthew Jorysz, Assistant Organist, and before the service by Alexander Hamilton, Organ Scholar.

Order of Service for The Metropolitan Police Carol Service 2018 (PDF, 381KB)

TAGS
Metropolitan Police Carol Service | Special Service | HRH The Duke of Gloucester | HRH The Duchess of Gloucester | Royal Visit
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