REPORT OF SERVICE AT HAMPTON COURT - OCTOBER 6th 2001

 Awesome, Magnificent, Meaningful and a tremendous privilege, what other superlatives can I use for the service at Hampton Court. From a chance remark at a Chapter meeting came a day really to be remembered. A day in the company of around 180 servers, priests, supporters and friends from all over the country. It was really wonderful that they all came to join us to worship God in the Chapel Royal. The day went almost without a hitch (there was some misunderstanding about numbers with the Verger), and in retrospect I am sure he was right to sit all the robed members together in the nave.  

The Chapel was glorious and when, in the afternoon, after everyone had been excluded from the Chapel, and especially for the service, the Verger and the servers got the Chapel Royal plate out and displayed it on the altar it really made a wonderful sight shining brightly for all to see . 

I know that those from our Chapter and visiting Chapters had a wonderful spiritual experience as well as enjoying the beauty of language of the BCP service. Where did all the servers come from? Eastbourne, Alton, Reading, Watford, Tewkesbury, Winchester, Bedford, Chichester, the Isle of Wight, Exmouth, London and Exeter to mention just a few areas ( I’m sorry that I cannot mention them all). We were also privileged to have Grand Councillor and Treasurer General Louis Lewis with us; this was very fortunate as the Chaplain of the Chapel Royal Fr Dennis Mulliner generously agreed to allow the collection to go to the Candidates for Ordination Fund. Louis is the Guild Treasurer of this Fund, so in due course £190.00 will be winging its way to him which I am sure will help support our six candidates in training.   

            My lasting impression of the day was one of being very privileged to be allowed to worship there and as I received Communion from the King Charles ll chalice I could not help but wonder just how many people had received from the cup in nearly 400 years and how many times the same words of administration had been said over that golden cup.  

            It was a wonderful and meaningful occasion.

Peter Keat

(Our thanks to Peter Keat (and others) for arranging this event.)