The Festival Service is an occasion to bring together representatives from the Church, City, commerce and public life, as well as our beneficiaries and supporters.

Our 368th Festival Service took place at St Paul's Cathedral on Tuesday 9 May 2023, with the Lord Mayor attending in state, together with representatives from many different Livery Companies.

St Paul's Cathedral Choir was led by Andrew Carwood, Leicester Cathedral Choir by Christopher Ouvry-Johns and Llandaff Cathedral Choir by Stephen Moore.

The preacher was the Bishop of Gloucester, The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek and you can read the sermon.

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Andrew Carwood, Director of Music at St Paul's Cathedral, leading the three combined choirs in song.

Combined Choirs at West Door

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The combined choirs, lead by a choirmaster, performing in a semi-circle by the West Doors.

Lord Mayor of London

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The Mayor of London, dressed in a black and gold gown, shaking someone's hand.

Processing Stewards of the Festival

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In the middle of a seated audience, six people walk forward, dressed smartly, carrying large ceremonial sticks.

Processing Livery Company Masters and Representatives

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In the middle of a seated audience, five people walk forward, dressed in blue, yellow and gold gowns.

After the processions, the bidding was given by The Very Revd Andrew Tremlett, Dean of St Paul's.

Two beneficiaries of grants from Clergy Support Trust shared their testimonies, The Revd Azariah France-Williams (pictured) and The Ven John Kiddle.

The first Lesson, from Habakkuk 3. 16-19, was given by Canon Dr Paula Gooder (Chancellor, Canon in Residence at St Paul's) and the second by The Revd Canon Simon Butler (Senior Treasurer, Clergy Support Trust) from Philippians 4. 1-7.

Prayers were led by The Revd Robert Coupland, and the following people supported by the Trust: The Revd Canon Joseph Adewale, The Revd Helen Shannon, The Revd Shaun Armstrong and Hannah Barter.

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The Revd Azariah France-Williams, standing at a lectern and delivering a lesson.

Leicester Cathedral Choir

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A choir of young people, dressed in red and white robes, performing, led by a choir master to a seated audience.

Llandaff Cathedral Choir

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Led by a choirmaster with black hair and glasses, a choir of young people in white robes and green lanyards sing from their songbooks.

Anthems and Hymns

St Paul's Cathedral Choir's anthem:

  • O Lord, grant the king a long life
  • Words: Coronation anthem, Book of Common Prayer, 1662
  • Music: Thomas Weelkes (1574 - 1623)

Leicester Cathedral Choir's anthem:

  • O Light born of Light
  • Words: from the office hymn at Lauds, Feast of the Transfiguration
  • Music: Anna Thomas (1995)

Llandaff Cathedral Choir's anthem:

  • Set me as a seal upon your heart
  • Words: Song of Sons 8. 6-7; John 15. 9-12
  • Music: Eleanor Daley (1955)

The combined choirs sang:

  • Sing joyfully unto God our strength. Words: Psalm 81. Music: William Byrd (1540 - 1623)
  • Blest are the pure in heart. Words: John Keble (1792 - 1866). Music: William Henry Harvegal (1793 - 1870)
  • Great is the Lord. Words: Psalm 148. Music: Edward Elgar (1857 - 1934)

The following hymns were also sung:

  • Christ is made the sure foundation
  • Love Divine, all loves excelling
  • O Jesus, I have promised

The Right Revd Rachel Treweek

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The Right Revd Rachel Treweek, dressed in a white and gold gown, speaking from a wooden pulpit. Behind her is a grand black and gold organ.

Read the Bishop of Gloucester, The Rt Revd Rachel Treweek's sermon.

Combined Choirs performing in the splendour of St Paul's

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A bird's eye view, taken from the dome of St Paul's Cathedral, of the three combined choirs performing together in a semi-circle formation.

The 369th Clergy Support Trust Festival will take place on Tuesday 7 May 2024