Services

Weekdays

8.15am: Morning Prayer
Morning Prayer lasts 15 minutes and follows one of the patterns of worship of the Church of England. The Dean is glad to be joined in his prayers by anyone up at that time. On Feast Days there may be Holy Communion instead.

6.30pm: Evening Prayer (on Fridays 7.00pm, plainsong)
Two readers usually assist the Dean in saying the traditional service of Evensong which takes 20 minutes. All are welcome to join in this daily round of prayer for the College and wider concerns. On Fridays Evensong is sung to plainchant by a voluntary group led by one of the organ scholars. A practice is held beforehand at 6.45 p.m. and anyone is invited to try their hand at learning plainsong as our early statutes required. Sung Eucharist is celebrated once a Term at 7pm. to mark a Feast Day in the Church's calendar. The Choir sings a Mass setting and all communicant Christians in College are encouraged to participate as a corporate act of witness and fellowship. Afterwards the Dean offers a buffet supper in the Old Library which continues the celebrations

Sundays

9.30am: Holy Communion.
This is a reflective service, rather early for some but allowing those, who wish, to go to churches elsewhere or off to sport, library or essay-crisis. Communicants of all denominations are welcome to receive the sacrament and should feel free to come as they are (gowns and smartness not required). We are following the new service book of the Church of England, Common Worship. The service with two hymns (no choir) and short sermon lasts about 45 minutes. All are welcome to breakfast afterwards in the Dean's rooms, J2, where cereal, toast and tea, coffee or juice lubricate the conversation.

6.15pm (6.30pm outside full term): Evensong and Sermon
Evensong follows the 1662 Prayer Book (contemporaneous with Christopher Wren's Chapel). It is a distinct focus in College life with the Master and a number of Fellows usually present whom one can meet afterwards over a glass in the Old Library. The Choir leads the worship, offering an anthem and a setting of the Responses, but all are encouraged to join in the hymns and singing of the psalm and canticles to Anglican chant. Most Sundays there is a visiting preacher who, while contemplating scripture, is encouraged to stretch our understanding of Christian faith beyond what is often on offer. Those searching out meaning as well as those hoping to grow in faith have often found this service, usually well attended, a welcome opportunity that gives space for reflection without pressure. Afterwards a number have joined the Choir at Hall. Although gowns are traditionally worn at Evensong there is no compulsion to do so