A FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS

Christmas came early to St Michael Paternoster Royal as the Mission celebrated its annual Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols on 7th December with a packed service and some very special guests.

Mission President HRH The Princess Royal and her husband, Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, were joined by Newsnight veteran Peter Snow and Songs of Praise’s Pam Rhodes as readers at the popular festive event.

Led by the St Michael’s Singers, the assembled MtS supporters, trustees, chaplains and staff enjoyed brilliant choral arrangements as well as time-honoured classic carols, including Once in Royal David’s City, While Shepherds Watched Their Flocks By Night, Hark! The Herald Angels Sing, interspersed with Bible readings charting the Christmas story.

The men and women who endure daily hardship to bring Christmas gifts to our shores were never far from people’s minds throughout the service. MtS secretary general the Revd Tom Heffer and Director of Chaplaincy, the Revd Canon Huw Mosford led prayers for seafarers around the world, while the Mission’s famous Flying Angel – a longstanding beacon of hope and help for those at sea – gazed down on the proceedings from atop a splendid 17ft Christmas tree.

After the service the Princess Royal and her husband joined supporters for mulled wine and mince pies in the magnificently decorated Great Hall of the Worshipful Company of Skinners.

Proceeds from the service will help us provide a warm welcome to seafarers in ports worldwide who are far from home on Christmas day. Click here to support the Mission’s vital work this Christmas.

Our 2012 Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols will take place on 12^th December 2012. To find out more, please contact Stuart Bell on 0207 246 2919, or by email.

(Picture, L-R): Vice-Admiral Sir Timothy Laurence, chair of trustees Robert Woods, HRH The Princess Royal, Lt Cdr DJ 'Oscar' Whild.

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