Choral Evensong with the Admission, Promotion and Valediction of Choristers

Sunday 20 September 2026, 3.00pm

The Order of Service

OFFICIANT Canon Kathryn Fleming, Precentor

CHOIR & MUSICIANS The Cathedral Choir Helen Smee, Director of Music Simon Hogan, Cathedral Organist

SETTING Edington Service Grayston Ives (b. 1948)

RESPONSES William Smith (1603-1645)

MUSIC BEFORE THE SERVICE Impromptu Philip Moore (b. 1943)

Those Taking Part

TO BE ADMITTED Alyssa, Aviva, Clara, Emma, Hannah, Lucia-Jane, Seamus & Theo — Choristers Chloe Ellam — Alto Choral Scholar Gabriel Jacobson — Bass Choral Scholar Michael Chamberlain — Organ Scholar

TO BE PROMOTED Leila, Miriam, Oliver & Phoebe — Wigan Chanters Elizabeth — Saddlers' Chanter Yoki — Clarke Chanter Ava — Morden Chanter Georgie, Jeremiel & Thea — Head Choristers

DEPARTING CHORISTERS Anusha, Dev & Thomas

The Gathering

Please stand as the Procession enters.

The Welcome

The Very Rev'd Dr Mark Oakley, Dean of Southwark

The Choir sings:

The Preces

O Lord, open thou our lips And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise. O God, make speed to save us; O Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son; and to the Holy Ghost; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be; world without end. Amen. Praise ye the Lord; The Lord's name be praised.

The Liturgy of the Word

Please be seated as the Choir sings:

The Psalm

Psalm 34.1-10

I will alway give thanks unto the Lord : his praise shall ever be in my mouth. My soul shall make her boast in the Lord : the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad. O praise the Lord with me : and let us magnify his Name together. I sought the Lord, and he heard me : yea, he delivered me out of all my fear. They had an eye unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed. Lo, the poor crieth, and the Lord heareth him : yea, and saveth him out of all his troubles. The angel of the Lord tarrieth round about them that fear him : and delivereth them. O taste, and see, how gracious the Lord is : blessèd is the man that trusteth in him. O fear the Lord, ye that are his saints : for they that fear him lack nothing. The lions do lack, and suffer hunger : but they who seek the Lord shall want no manner of thing that is good.

Please stand.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

The First Lesson

Isaiah 33.13-17 Read by Gabriel Jacobson, Bass Choral Scholar

The First Lesson is written in the thirty-third chapter of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, beginning at the thirteenth verse.

Hear, you who are far away, what I have done; and you who are near, acknowledge my might. The sinners in Zion are afraid; trembling has seized the godless: 'Who among us can live with the devouring fire? Who among us can live with everlasting flames?' Those who walk righteously and speak uprightly, who despise the gain of oppression, who wave away a bribe instead of accepting it, who stop their ears from hearing of bloodshed and shut their eyes from looking on evil, they will live on the heights; their refuge will be the fortresses of rocks; their food will be supplied, their water assured. Your eyes will see the king in his beauty; they will behold a land that stretches far away.

Here ends the First Lesson.

The Admission and Promotion of Choristers

The Director of Music stands before the Dean with the Scholars and the Choristers to be admitted and promoted and says:

I present the following to be admitted to the Choral Foundation of this Cathedral and Collegiate Church:

Alyssa, Aviva, Clara, Emma, Hannah, Lucia-Jane, Seamus and Theo to be Choristers; Chloe Ellam and Gabriel Jacobson to be Choral Scholars; and Michael Chamberlain to be Organ Scholar.

I also present the following choristers to be promoted:

Leila, Miriam, Oliver and Phoebe to be Wigan Chanters; Elizabeth to be Saddlers' Chanter; Yoki to be Clarke Chanter; Ava to be Morden Chanter; and Georgie, Jeremiel and Thea to be Head Choristers.

The Dean responds:

Thank you for your presentation.

The Dean first addresses those to be admitted.

Is it your wish to be admitted to the Choral Foundation of this Cathedral?

They reply:

It is.

The Dean asks:

Will you faithfully fulfil your part in the worship and service of this Cathedral, giving of your best in music and in life, and seeking always the good of those with whom you serve?

They reply:

I will.

A Senior Chorister vests each of the Choristers to be admitted in a surplice.

When the Choristers are vested, the Dean admits them and the Scholars, saying:

Alyssa, Aviva, Clara, Emma, Hannah, Lucia-Jane, Seamus, Theo, Chloe, Gabriel and Michael, I admit you to the Choral Foundation of this Cathedral and Collegiate Church, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

Then, the Dean asks those to be promoted:

Is it your wish to take your new place within the Choral Foundation of this Cathedral?

They reply:

It is.

The Dean says:

Let the Choristers now receive their medals.

The Director of Music presents the Choristers with their medals. A Senior Representative of the Saddlers' Company presents Elizabeth with the Saddlers' Chanter Medal.

When the medals have been presented, the Dean says:

Leila, Miriam, Oliver, Phoebe, Elizabeth, Yoki, Ava, Georgie, Jeremiel and Thea, I promote you within the Choral Foundation of this Cathedral and Collegiate Church, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

All: Amen.

The Dean invites the congregation to pray for the Choristers and Scholars.

Let us pray.

Silence is kept.

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with your servants on earth who seek through art and music to perfect the praises of your people. Grant them even now true glimpses of your beauty and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The newly-admitted and -promoted Choristers and Scholars are welcomed by the Precentor.

Sing, rejoice and be glad. Praise the Lord with a cheerful voice, and delight him with true melody in your heart. And the Lord preserve your going out and your coming in, from this time forth for evermore.

All: Amen.

The Dean invites the Choristers and Scholars to face the congregation, who welcome them with applause.

Then, all return to their places.

The Magnificat

Please stand as the Choir sings:

My soul doth magnify the Lord : and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded : the lowliness of his hand-maiden. For behold, from henceforth : all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath magnified me : and holy is his Name. And his mercy is on them that fear him : throughout all generations.

He hath shewed strength with his arm : he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble and meek. He hath filled the hungry with good things : and the rich he has sent empty away. He remembering his mercy hath holpen his servant Israel : as he promised to our forefathers, Abraham and his seed for ever.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Please be seated.

The Second Lesson

Matthew 6.19-end Read by Chloe Ellam, Alto Choral Scholar

The Second Lesson is written in the sixth chapter of the Holy Gospel according to St Matthew, beginning at the nineteenth verse.

'Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust consume and where thieves break in and steal; but store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust consumes and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

'The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light; but if your eye is unhealthy, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!

'No one can serve two masters; for a slave will either hate the one and love the other, or be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.

'Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you—you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, "What will we eat?" or "What will we drink?" or "What will we wear?" For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.

'So do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring worries of its own. Today's trouble is enough for today.

Here ends the Second Lesson.

The Nunc Dimittis

Please stand as the Choir sings:

Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace : according to thy word. For mine eyes have seen : thy salvation; Which thou hast prepared : before the face of all people; To be a light to lighten the Gentiles : and to be the glory of thy people Israel.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

The Apostles' Creed

All: I believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth.

And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried.

He descended into hell.

The third day he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven and sitteth on the right hand of God, the Father almighty; from thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead.

I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy Catholic Church, the Communion of Saints, the Forgiveness of sins, the Resurrection of the body and the Life everlasting.

Amen.

The Lesser Litany, Lord's Prayer & Responses

The Minister and Choir sing:

The Lord be with you; And with thy spirit. Let us pray.

Please be seated or kneel.

Lord, have mercy upon us. Christ, have mercy upon us. Lord, have mercy upon us.

All: Our Father, which art in heaven, hallowed be thy Name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. Amen.

O Lord, shew thy mercy upon us; And grant us thy salvation. O Lord, save the King; And mercifully hear us when we call upon thee. Endue thy ministers with righteousness; And make thy chosen people joyful. O Lord, save thy people; And bless thine inheritance. Give peace in our time, O Lord; Because there is none other that fighteth for us, but only thou, O God. O God, make clean our hearts within us; And take not thy Holy Spirit from us.

Followed by:

The Collects

O God, whom saints and angels delight to worship in heaven: Be ever present with thy servants who seek through art and music to perfect the praises offered by thy people on earth; and grant to them even now glimpses of thy beauty, and make them worthy at length to behold it unveiled for evermore; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

O God, from whom all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed; Give unto thy servants that peace which the world cannot give; that both our hearts may be set to obey thy commandments, and also that by thee, we, being defended from the fear of our enemies, may pass our time in rest and quietness; through the merits of Jesus Christ our Saviour. Amen.

Lighten our darkness, we beseech thee, O Lord; and by thy great mercy defend us from all perils and dangers of this night; for the love of thy only Son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

Please be seated for:

Chorister Valedictions

We say thank you and farewell to Anusha, Dev & Thomas.

The Anthem

The Choir sings:

O how glorious is the kingdom — Basil Harwood (1859-1949)

O how glorious is the Kingdom wherein all the Saints rejoice with Christ Clothed with white robes, they follow the Lamb Whither soever He goeth, they follow the Lamb

The Sermon

Canon Kathryn Fleming, Precentor

The Prayers

Please remain seated or kneel for:

The prayers conclude with:

All: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with us all, evermore. Amen.

The Hymn

Please stand to sing:

NEH 231

Who are these, like stars appearing, These before God's throne who stand? Each a golden crown is wearing; Who are all this glorious band? Alleluya, hark! they sing, Praising loud their heavenly King.

Who are these of dazzling brightness, These in God's own truth arrayed, Clad in robes of purest whiteness, Robes whose lustre ne'er shall fade, Ne'er be touched by time's rude hand— Whence comes all this glorious band?

These are they who have contended For their Saviour's honour long, Wrestling on till life was ended, Following not the sinful throng; These, who well the fight sustained, Triumph through the Lamb have gained.

These are they whose hearts were riven, Sore with woe and anguish tried, Who in prayer full oft have striven With the God they glorified; Now, their painful conflict o'er, God has bid them weep no more.

These like priests have watched and waited, Offering up to Christ their will, Soul and body consecrated, Day and night to serve him still: Now, in God's most holy place Blest they stand before his face.

Tune: All Saints, melody from Geistreiches Gesangbuch, Darmstadt 1698, adapted by W. H. Monk (1823-1889) Text: German, H. T. Schenck (1656-1727), tr. Frances Cox (1812-1897)

The Blessing

The Dean of Southwark

May God the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the source of all goodness and growth, pour his blessing upon all things created, and upon you his children, that you may use his gifts to his glory an the welfare of all peoples; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be among you and remain with you always.

All: Amen.

The Voluntary

Fantasy on 'Sine Nomine' — Francis Jackson (1917-2022)

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Thank you for joining us. We look forward to seeing you again soon.

Notices

Common Worship: Services and Prayers for the Church of England, material from which is included in this service, is copyright © The Archbishops' Council 2000.

All words covered by the Christian Copyright Licensing have been reproduced under CCL licence no. 223439 and livestreaming licence 145859.

The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of Churches in the USA: Scripture quotations from The New Revised Standard Version of the Bible © 1989 The Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.

Making space for love with heart, mind, and soul

It is good to welcome you to Southwark Cathedral. Set on the south bank of the River Thames, in one of the most vibrant and diverse communities in London, this building has been a constant witness in a place of change.

The first church was built on this site around the year 606. First a convent, then a monastery, it became in 1106 the Augustinian Priory of St Mary Overie ('over-the-river'). With Westminster Abbey and St Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield, it is one of the three remaining great monastic churches of London. At the Reformation, the Priory became a parish church, and it remains so for the people of Bankside. In 1905, as south London was rapidly expanding, the church was consecrated as the Cathedral for the new Diocese of Southwark.

The Cathedral has a momentous and significant history and has had links with many famous and influential characters including St Thomas Becket, Geoffrey Chaucer, William Shakespeare and Charles Dickens. It has also been a Cathedral for those who feel on the edges of faith or society, our welcome reaching out to all people in their beautiful God-given diversity.

Here, our Christian faith is captured in our vision to 'make space for love: with heart, mind, and soul'. Faith requires our hearts to stand up for social justice, upholding integrity and kindness, and supporting the vulnerable and oppressed. It challenges our thinking, inviting our minds to be enquiring, honest, and generous. Faith also seeks to deepen our inner lives, with the arts and creativity, by sharing in the life of our community, and by learning the arts of prayer and attention. In Jesus Christ we see the human face of God, and our faith in him is our joy and our life.

We really hope you enjoy being here with us today and that we will see you again very soon.

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