Old_Cliftonian_Mag_2011

Chapel Notes
The end is an unusual place to begin!
The final Upper School chapel service
of any academic year is a powerful
and poignant occasion. It is almost a rite of
passage. There is an established pattern to
this final fifteen minutes of a pupil’s time at
Clifton. The familiar liturgical form gives the
leavers a much-needed sense of emotional
and spiritual security as they contemplate
moving on to pastures new. We always sing
The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended and
we always conclude with a Gaelic blessing
followed by Widor’s Toccata as the organ
voluntary. To rapturous, supportive applause
and cheers, the leavers (pupils and staff) exit
the Chapel first. Most eyes are, at the very
least, moist!
In the ante-chapel there is a 200 piece jigsaw
of a photographic image of the College. Each
leaving pupil and member of staff takes
one piece of the puzzle to symbolize their
unique contribution to the life of the School,
and yet also their corporate belonging to the
‘big picture’. Whatever they end up doing,
wherever they are in the world, the leavers
will always remain an indispensable part of
Clifton College at that stage in its history. Final
Chapel is just one of the reasons why the
Chapel building is so central to Clifton life.
During the academic year 2010/11, the
pulpit has been occupied by some gifted
and inspiring preachers. Clergy visitors have
included the Very Revd Dr David Hoyle (Dean
of Bristol) and the Revd Phil Cansdale OC
(Vicar of Trinity Churches, Shrewsbury). Very
challenging and apposite addresses were
delivered by the following lay preachers: Dr
Lionel Kopelowitz JP (President of the Board
42 the CLIFTON MAGAZINE 2011
of Deputies of British Jews, 1985-91, &
past President of the OC Society, 1991-93)
and Mr Ian Yemm (Chaplain, University of
the West of England). Head of the College,
Mr Mark Moore and the Headmaster of
the Pre, Mr John Milne, have also given
us the benefit of their wisdom, vision and
insight from the Chapel pulpit. Perhaps
the most memorable address of the year
was given by Dr Christopher Waller (former
Headmaster, Eltham College), appropriately
on Remembrance Sunday. Many pupils, staff
and parents observed that it was the most
moving address they had ever heard on such
an occasion.
The Pre and Upper School Commemoration
services were, once again, marvellous
celebrations of the College’s vision and life.
The Pre congregation was challenged by the
celebrated writer and presenter, Sue Palmer
(author of Toxic Childhood), to consider the
role of genuine play in the development of
children and young people. On the following
day, the Chapel congregation was captivated
by a powerful and inspiring address given
by Lord Hastings of Scarisbrick CBE (Global
Head of Citizenship & Diversity, KPMG).
Other special services have included the
Butcombe Harvest, Nativity and Spring
Celebrations, and the Christmas Eve Crib
and Christingle Service which attracted a
staggering 900 strong congregation! Equally
memorable was the Service of Confirmation
at Bristol Cathedral at Pentecost (12th June)
led by the Bishop of Swindon. Fourteen
candidates (11 from the Pre and 3 from the
Upper School) were presented to the Bishop,
and each student received excellent support
from their families, godparents and friends.
The Pre and Upper School Chapel and
Chamber Choirs have magnificently
enhanced and enriched the worship
during the Chapel services with their
inspiring and moving anthems. Some of
the highlights have been the Pre Evensongs
in the Michaelmas and Lent terms, Music
and Readings for Lent, the Advent and
Christmas Carol services and, of course, the
Commemoration services. I am very grateful
to all of the choir members and to James
Hills, David Pafford, Daniel Robson and
James Drinkwater for their skill, commitment,
inspiration and sense of fun!
Generosity is one aspect of a holistic
lifestyle, and the collections from all Chapel
Services go to support a wide range of local,
national and international charities. Some
of the beneficiaries this year have been:
NSPCC, Five Talents UK, The Leprosy Mission,
The Royal British Legion, SSAFA Forces Help,
The Association of Jewish Ex-Servicemen
and Women, Caring at Christmas, Children’s
Hospices UK, Age UK, Shelter, The Children’s
Society, St George’s Church (Easton-in-
Gordano) Tower Appeal, CARE International,
Camps International Trust (Sasenyi Primary
School & Imani Women’s Group, Tsavo,
Kenya), CAFOD, British Red Cross, The Bahay
Bata Street Centre - the Philippines, UNICEF.
Chaplaincy Papers have been published
to stimulate thinking and discussion on
religious, spiritual, moral and pastoral
issues. The Papers are issued to all staff
in the College and are available to Council
members, parents and interested Sixth
Formers. The most recent paper was entitled
Still Building Jerusalem in which the Chaplain
presented a vision for Chapel in the 21st
century. During term time, the Chaplain
e-mails a reflective ‘Thought for the Week’ to
all staff in the College and to every pupil in
the Upper School (these can also be viewed
on the College’s web site).
Finally, thanks must be given to those
individuals who have contributed a great
deal to the life of the Chapel, often behind
the scenes. The ushers from the boarding
houses have been responsible and efficient,
and the flower arrangers, marshalled by
Chryssa Taplin, have been faithful and very
creative. As usual, the verger Allan Crocker
has worked with commitment and pastoral
sensitivity. His friendship and wise advice
have been invaluable.
The Revd Kim Taplin