2015 Choral Evensong for the Commemoration of Charles, King and Martyr.
The Choral Evensong reverted to the Whittall Chapel in St Mary's Church this year.
The church bells rang out across the town, in a cold, black, starlit night as we entered the church via the side entrance. The nave was in darkness, but the chancel was bright and warm. The 1566 tomb of Thomas Blount and his two wives was immediately seen, and Old Carolians were reminded that Thomas founded the original Grammar School in Kidderminster, well before the Charter of King Charles I. It was a pleasure to be returning to the Whittall Chapel, which many believe to be the main architectural prize of St Mary's. Built in 1921 by chorister Matthew John Whittall, and designed by Giles Gilbert Scott, it has four notable features: the three stained glass windows dedicated to the Virgin Mary, St Joan of Arc and Florence Nightingale, and a large beautiful altar piece.
The service was led by the new vicar, the Rev Rose Lawley, and was from the Book of Common Prayer. The Headteacher of King Charles I School, Steven Brownlow, read the first lesson (Isaiah, Chapter 3) and Old Carolian Association President Richard Woolley read the second lesson (St Matthew, Chapter 10, Verses 28 to 39).
The singing of Psalm 3 was particularly relevant, remembering the King's tragedy and especially the historical Restoration of Charles II.
'Lord, how they are increased that trouble me. Many are they that rise against me but thou, O Lord, art my defender. Thou smitest all mine enemies, thou hast broken the teeth of the ungodly.'
Rose Lawley's sermon centred on Charles and his creation as a saint and martyr of the Church. He was not an ordinary worshipper. His loyalty to the Church was genuine, both intellectually and spiritually. He prayed daily and was devoted to a middle approach - not the anarchical way of Cromwell and Parliament. His fall was probably his own fault, but he accepted that he must pay the ultimate price for the Church - that there is more good in death than in life. He was prepared to face his own execution, in defence of the laws of the land, his divine right and the defence of the established religion. In this, he created an enduring legend and, ultimately, martyrdom.
The sermon and the service ended with Matthew 16:25: 'For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it'.
'Captain' Peter Vaughan, Religious Affairs Correspondent