The Chapel

A lady said to me in the Minster recently, "You don't have chapel services any more at St. Peter's, do you ?" I was able to assure her that we most certainly did, though I fear that she was not impressed with the idea of "only" four or so Community Services per term on a Sunday.

It has been noticeable when we have had voluntary special services such as the Advent Carol Serivce and the Whit-Sunday evening Family Communion, that these are supported more by the days boys and parents than by the boarders. Both these occasions were very enjoyable, and those who came (boys and adults) said how much more preferable were such services than the compulsory ones.

Our two largest services have, of course, been the Minster ones. Both are fraught with problems. To many people; especially "first-timers" and those taking part in the Service, the Epiphany Procession is a magical and enthralling litury. But to so very many of the boys (who can't see or hear what is happening for much of the Service) it is a gigantic bore. The Service is the Minster's own, and we are invited (and honoured) guests. I feel that the time has come to make this a voluntary occasion for us, as it is for the rest of the vast congregation.

When Western Christianity decided that St. Peter ought to be commemorated on 29th June each year it did not have to cope with '0', 'A/0' and 'A' levels! As St. Peter's School we can hardly fail to honour St. Peterstide — indeed I feel that we should make far more of St. Peter's Day itself. But exams prevent us from doing anything other than the bare minimum of rehearsal for any service in the Minster. It would have been marvellous to have heard the band in the Cathedral, but practice time was impossible. Perhaps a boost for St. Peter's Day and a Minster celebration for our true founder, St. Paulinus (loth October) is the way forward ?

A feature of the mid-week services this year has been the House weeks. These have been very worth while. I have only needed to give a minimum of help, most of the material and planning being organised by the House reps of the Chapel Committee plus willing helpers. Some weeks have been quite outstanding. The choice of taped music has not been to everyone's taste, but at least we have managed to get away from the archaic image of 17th century Anglican Prayer Book conformity.

I hope that the House weeks will continue and that the more hesitant Houses will be a little more forthcoming. Some individual boys have bravely taken on Chapel for a day, and our thanks and admiration go to them.

The Thursday Communion Services continue to be well attended (over 40 on two occasions) and we have been pleased to welcome the Bishop of Selby, the Vicar of St. Olave's (A.J. Heslop), and the Dean of York as visiting celebrants.

The Bishop of Selby Confirmed and celebrated Communion at the St. Olave's/St. Peter's Confirmation Service on 15th June. Forty-three boys were confirmed, the following zo from St. Peter's:— Mark Adeney Robert Gair Jonathan Simpson Jonathan Atkinson Jonathan Hall Barney Skrentny Peter Atkinson Charles Hopkinson Rupert Smith Rupert Bond William Ledger Peter Stancer Jonathan Burr Andrew Megginson William Stancer John Burton James Muirhead Jonathan Winchurch David Clark Nigel Ramsden 22