On this eve of Advent
Good morning,
I hope you have made it safely through Storm Arwen. I was returning yesterday evening from a Christmas High Table dinner at University Hall and found the way blocked on Kennedy Gardens because of a fallen tree. I hope you have come to no harm from the weather.
I thought, on this eve of Advent, to let you know of plans for Christmas services and other Chaplaincy events for this time of year.
Tomorrow is Advent Sunday, and we are holding not one, not two, but three services tomorrow to mark the beginning of this season of anticipation of the birth of Christ.
8.10 am (but seated by 7.45 am!) BBC Radio 4 are broadcasting live a service of Sunday Worship from St Salvator’s Chapel with Chapel Choir, members of the Ministry Discernment Group, the Principal and Chaplains. All welcome – to be there in person, listen on radio, or snooze on and catch up on BBC Sounds later.
11 am University Worship, St Salvator’s Chapel, with music from St Leonard’s Scholars, and a sermon from Alastair Merrill, Vice-Principal (Governance), one of the very few people in the University who, like me, has been to Turkmenistan. His theme for Advent and St Andrewstide is Walk in the Light. This service will also be livestreamed.
6.30 pm From darkness to light: a service of readings of scripture and poetry, and music from St Salvator’s Chapel Choir – in St Salvator’s Chapel.
Then here is our poster with details of Christmas services, all with familiar carols:
We know that many students are going home much earlier than usual, as exams are mostly online. But if you can’t attend a service in person, for any reason, there are alternatives. The Alumni Carol Service will be livestreamed, and the University Carol Service will be filmed and put on to the web as soon as possible thereafter – and we will publicise that when it happens. Do come early to these services to be sure of a seat. We can’t accommodate people standing.
Do you know of children or young people who may want to read a Bible lesson on Christmas Eve? Please let me know. It’s a lovely tradition to have younger voices in the Carols by Candlelight services.
One further Christmas service will be taking place. The London Alumni Club Carol Service will be on Wednesday 15 December at 7 pm at St Columba’s Church of Scotland, Pont Street, London. There will be music and readings from St Andrews graduates, and I will be there to lead and preach, on the subject, I don’t want a lot for Christmas. All are welcome – including current students who have gone home to the London area by then.
And University Services on Sunday mornings at 11 am will continue on 5 and 12 December.
Meanwhile, many Jewish people in our community will be celebrating Hanukkah from tomorrow. And on the Winter Solstice we plan to have a candlelit labyrinth which people can walk through from late afternoon into the evening, organised by our honorary Pagan Chaplain. Further details will be shared in due course.
(And don’t forget our Graduation Thanksgiving Services next Tuesday and Wednesday at 9 am live and livestreamed – with Professor Margaret Connolly the preacher on Tuesday – St Andrew’s Day itself – and Andrew Marr, journalist and broadcaster, and honorary graduand, on Wednesday. All are welcome, at St Salvator’s Chapel.)
Yours,
Donald.