Una Discamus

Sponsored by Wellington College PTA

Christingle Service

 

The annual Christingle service took place on Tuesday 14th December. The service began with Mr Pitts welcoming all the pupils, parents, staff and governors and then, in traditional fashion, the first hymn was ‘Once in Royal David’s City.’ Christina Patterson opened singing the first verse solo and was joined by the Senior Choir before the whole congregation joined in. The first lesson was read by Aaron Wafflart before the Senior Choir performed their first piece, ‘Believe’ from The Polar Express. Year 9 pupil Kathryn Vaux then read the next lesson before the second congregational hymn ‘O Little Town of Bethlehem.’ After this it was the Junior Choir’s turn to perform their two pieces ‘When Children Rule the World’ and ‘Jesus Light of the World,’ with soloists Christopher Elliot and Sarah Dorman respectively. Hannah Cordner also accompanied ‘Jesus Light of the World’ on flute. After the next lesson, read by Scott Foy, the Junior Brass Group performed a medley of Carols including ‘It came upon a Midnight Clear’ and ‘Angels from the Realms of Glory.’ Year 11 pupil Rachel Darragh then read the next lesson before the congregational singing of ‘God Rest You Merry Gentlemen.’ After this, Lauren Callender read lesson five before the Senior Choir performed their second piece ‘Mary Had a Baby.’ Next to read a lesson was Ross Anderson before the Junior Woodwind Group, performed ‘Ding Dong Merrily on High,’ providing a real Christmas feel. Year 14 pupil Amy Johnston-Wood then read the next lesson which was followed by another congregational hymn before Miss Addis read the penultimate lesson. The Senior Choir were next to perform, singing ‘O Holy Night’ with soloist Rebecca Nannery. Next, after the congregational singing of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ was the Senior Brass Group accompanied by Michael Culbert on Bass Guitar with ‘We Three Kings.’ The final lesson was read by school governor Mr Stewart Agnew before Mr Pitts explained the meaning of the Christingle which each year 8 pupil was to receive. During the distribution of the Christingles, the Senior Choir performed ‘Heaven’s Rose’ and Christina Patterson and Amy Johnston-Wood performed a duet of ‘In the Bleak Midwinter.’ The service was finished with the congregational hymn ‘Hark! The Herald Angels Sing’ which provided a perfect end to proceedings. We would like to thank Mr Philip Stopford for being our organist for the evening and also a huge thank you goes to Mrs Hodgins, Mrs McCloskey, Mrs Doyle and Mrs Latimer for all the hard work that went in to organising the Christingle service.

Lauren Callender