Oxford’s Graduate Colleges Gather for Inaugural Carol Service by Candlelight
Members from all nine of the University’s Graduate colleges, gathered together at the University Church of St Mary the Virgin on the evening of Sunday 11 December for the inaugural Graduate Colleges Carol Service. The event was organised by Reuben President, Professor Lionel Tarassenko who felt it was high time that those belonging to Oxford’s ever-growing graduate college community had their own opportunity to join together in a traditional, festive celebration.
Despite the distinct December chill in the air, the congregation was in strong voice as it was led by a small choir of graduate students under the direction of Samuel Teague and organist Luke Mitchell, through an array of traditional carols from ‘Once in Royal David’s City’, to the rousing descants of ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ and ‘Hard the Herald Angels Sing’. The choir also performed four pieces on its own including ‘Just Christ the Apple Tree’ by Elizabeth Poston and ‘Es ist ein Ros ‘enstsprungen’ by Micheal Praetorius.
The service was led by the Revd Dr William Lamb, the Vicar of the University Church with the homily given by the Revd Professor Rob Gilbert, Director of the Medical Sciences Graduate School and Fellow, Magdalen College. Prayers were led by the Revd Dr Jonathan Brant, Oxford Pastorate Chaplain and Research Fellow, Harris Manchester College. Students and Fellows gave both Biblical and secular readings throughout the service, such as “Bethlehem”, by Carol Anne Duffy which was read by Dr Tanya Baldwin, Bursar, St Antony’s College, “Christmas Truce”, also by Carol Anne Duffy, read by Sir Timothy Hitchens, President, Wolfson Collefe, with Professor Tarassenko giving the final reading (from the first chapter of John’s Gospel on the mystery of the Incarnation).
Of particular note and poignancy were the readings given in Mandarin by Duanren Feng, St Antony’s College (“Isaiah speaks of the promise of salvation”, Isaiah 52:7-10) and one delivered in Ukrainian by Myroslava Hartmond (“Letter to a Friend at Christmas”, written in Exile from Ukraine, Taras Shevchenko). Both the delivery and choice of these readings seemed highly appropriate given the times we live in, but the texts also chimed with the aim of holding such a service to weave together music and spoken word for further contemplation on the meaning of Christmas and to allow our community to look towards light and peace.
This inaugural event was a great success and much credit must go to Prof. Tarassenko for his vision and efforts to make it happen, as well as to the choristers, musicians, readers and clergy for their contributions. It is very much hoped that the Graduate Colleges Carol Service will become another important University tradition.
