Annual Carol Service Moves Online

The Duchy’s annual Carol Service and reception at The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy will take the form of a podcast this year, due to Covid-19 restrictions around large gatherings.

The Carol Service is a much-loved institution bringing together staff, tenants, partners, members of Council and a large cross-section of the wider Duchy family in a service of celebration and worship. This year, however, the Chapel Council has decided that it will not be possible for many to attend the Service and abide by Government guidelines to ensure they keep themselves and their families fit and well.

“During these challenging times we have been compelled to revisit all of the acts of worship and events that routinely take place in The Queen’s Chapel of the Savoy,” explained The Reverend Canon Thomas Woodhouse. “We have however had great success throughout this year with Services made available via podcasts. This has had the added benefit of introducing new people to the Chapel who may not have been part of our congregation before.

“The Carol Service podcast will be recorded within the Chapel and will include a number of familiar Christmas readings, together with anthems and hymns sung by the Gentlemen of the Choir. I do hope that as many people as possible will be able to enjoy it and that the re-telling of the amazing Christmas story will once again provide inspiration, solace and hope to all.”

Duchy CEO Nathan Thompson CVO added: “Everyone at the Duchy’s offices in London and Lancaster will be listening in and sending their very best wishes for a happy and healthy Christmas. We remain hopeful of a return to normal life next year and look forward to being able to meet in the Chapel once again to celebrate Advent in 2021.”

The Carol Service podcast will be available from 12.15pm today (Tuesday, 8^th December 2020) and can be found on Spotify or any of the preferred podcast platforms by searching for Royal Chapel Savoy.