With deep gratitude to Winchester Cathedral for all their hard work in ensuring a Covid safe service of worship, Law Sunday Choral Mattins went ahead on 11th October, albeit in a very different form to any Law Sunday in living memory – and I suspect any Law Sunday Choral Mattins Winchester has ever seen! Despite a very small congregation, a very distanced and relatively sparse procession, and no congregational singing, it was an especially appropriate gathering – to be together giving thanks for and praying for all who contribute to the safety and security of Hampshire in these very unusual times was significant. The service began with a superb bugle fanfare and heart stirring playing of the brilliant organist which set the tone for the music, which throughout the service was exquisite – from the pure sung responses, to the most poignant rendition of Rutter’s arrangement of ‘For the beauty of the earth’, all from the Winchester Cathedral Girls’ choir, to the closing solo of Amazing Grace sung by Revd Natasha Beckles. Dr Krish Kandiah preached, reflecting on verses from Proverbs 31:1-9 – “Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of the destitute. Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” I was so heartened that Krish honoured and thanked all who were present and the areas of law and order they represent, and for affirming the special and particular calling, the vocation, that they have responded to, for all the ways they serve us in maintaining law and order, and offering interventions which address the deeper needs of society which affect the long term wellbeing of all. He grounded his reflections in very engaging stories from his and his wife’s own experiences of being birth, adoptive and foster parents. The High Sheriff’s Chaplain, Revd Chris Dudgeon, led the prayers, alternating prayers of thanks and blessing with others who prayed for those who serve in the Judiciary, for HMP Winchester, for the Police, for Social Services and for the Charitable and Voluntary sector. Revd Dudgeon led us all in a prayer of personal rededication “Lord God our Father, we pledge ourselves to serve you and all people in the cause of justice and peace, and for the relief of want and suffering. Guide us by your spirit; give us wisdom, courage, vision and hope; keep us faithful to our calling now and always, for the honour of your names. Amen.”
The Service is still available to watch on youtube on this link – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKcb31jPpDA&feature=youtu.be
