AROUND DULWICH
CHAPLAINCY REPORT Above: The licensing of Justin White, right, as the new College Chaplain. Also shown are, from left to right: The Reverend John Watson, Foun- dation Chaplain; Dr Spence, The Master; the Venerable Jane Steen, Archdeacon of Southwark; School Captain Marcus Kottering; The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark; and church warden Christine Broomhead
A recurring theme in the life of the Chapel and the Chaplaincy this year has been to recall the College’s dedication to ‘God’s Gift’. It is a dedication that suggests a double meaning: gifts received, and gifts given. In the Michaelmas term, the Friends of Dulwich College generously gave some funds for the purchase of an icon for the Chaplaincy Quiet Room. The serigraph of Christ and his Apostles was chosen to express that two-fold intention of our founders and benefactors. Christ the Teacher, at the centre of the icon, expresses our dedication to ‘gifts received’ in the mission of the College as a place of dedicated teaching and sound learning. The twelve apostles that surround the central image express our dedication to ‘gifts rendered’ in the mission of the College to send Alleynians out to be faithful gifts to God, and country, and world. The Greek text befits a quiet room, and reads: ‘Come unto me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest’ (Matthew 11:28). The new year began with my licensing as the new College Chaplain. I was presented by The Master and the School Captain to The Right Reverend Christopher Chessun, Bishop of Southwark, who conducted the service. The Venerable Jane Steen, Archdeacon of Southwark, gave the address. The Reverend John Watson, Foundation Chaplain, led the prayers and made the connection between the chaplaincy, the Parish of St Barnabas, and the other Foundation Schools. At this, as at every other significant celebrating of God’s gifts during the year, the worship of the Chapel has been supported and beautified by the Chapel Choir, led by Richard Mayo and our organist, John Carnelley. The musical and liturgical highlights of the year were the choir’s singing of Evensong at St Paul’s Cathedral in the autumn, and the great celebration of Christmas at the College Carol Service in Southwark Cathedral in December.
It has been a poignant year in the Chapel for remembering our faithful departed, and giving thanks for the gifts they have rendered to the College over the years. Michael Morris was laid to rest in November, and warm tributes were paid for his 24 years on the staff. In April, Alleynians past and present came together to give grateful thanks for the life of our former Master, David Emms, who, among his many achievements over eleven years at the College, did so much to ensure that the gifts our founders intended be extended to as many boys as possible through the bursary scheme. Equally, during this centennial of the Great War, the seasons of Remembrance and Commemoration gave the College occasion to honour the many OAs who made the ultimate sacrifice in conflicts past and present. On Founder’s Day, two stones around the War Memorial were dedicated to Lieutenant Richard Jones and Major Stewart Loudoun-Shand, men of the College who received the Victoria Cross. The year saw 14 boys being prepared for Confirmation in the Anglican and Roman Catholic communions. The College’s Christian Union societies continue to flourish under the oversight of the chaplaincy assistant, Jake Tasker. Sadly, this marks the end of Jake’s two-year term at the College. He has made an invaluable contribution to the life of the school on many different levels, and has helped to nurture many boys in their Christian faith. His fostering of Christian discipleship continues as he moves to higher education chaplaincy in the London area. Finally, 2016 sees the quadricentennial of the consecration of the Chapel of God’s Gift. God’s gifts have been many and plentiful this academic year, and the Chapel continues to be the focus of our shared thanksgiving – even as we prepare to give thanks for the Chapel itself later in the year.
DETUR SOLI DEO GLORIA
Reverend Justin White
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