From the Rector:
Our congratulations to the Bishop of London, Dame Sarah Mullally, selected as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. Bishop Sarah’s installation and enthronement as the Archbishop will take place at Canterbury Cathedral on Wednesday 25 March 2026. Fittingly, it is the Feast of the Annunciation. A day of good news when we celebrate the Archangel Gabriel’s visit to the Blessed Mary with news that she was to be the Mother of God.
On behalf of St Botolph’s I hope you will join me in wishing Bishop Sarah all our best wishes and prayers in her new role, and in this important time of personal preparation and prayer. My appointment to the incumbency at St Botolph’s was, I believe, her first appointment as Bishop of London. She has been a very good friend and guide to the church and, to me personally, over the past seven years. For that friendship and support, I thank her immensely.
Having observed Bishop Sarah closely over the past seven years, often in difficult and, at times, almost hostile meetings, I have been impressed by her ability to retain her determination and strength of character, whilst bringing calm and peace. Without compromising, Bishop Sarah is a peacemaker and one who does so while fully respecting the individual. Her political astuteness, her characteristics, combined with her passion for her Christian faith and the Church, will bode well for the Anglican Church in the years to come.
Bishop Sarah will be greatly missed in London, but we send her our best wishes and prayers for the years ahead.
In the meantime, the search for her successor as Bishop of London has already commenced, and you will find below an invitation to everyone in the Diocese to take part in the consultation process.
With God’s love and blessings, Fr David
DIOCESAN CONSULTATION FOR NEXT BISHOP OF LONDON
The Diocese of London is at a pivotal moment in its journey, and you have the chance to share your views about its future leadership.
On Friday 3 October 2025, the Bishop of London, the Rt Revd and Rt Hon Sarah Mullally DBE, was announced as the nominee to become the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury. Consequently, the post of the Bishop of London will become vacant later in January 2026 – a “Vacancy in See”.
The Church is now entering the formal process to discern the needs of the Diocese, which will ultimately lead to the appointment of a new bishop. This is a unique opportunity for every member of the diocese to share their voice and help shape the Church’s future direction.
https://www.london.anglican.org/articles/help-shape-the-future-of-the-diocese-of-london/
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Regular church opening and service times
The church is open for public worship and private prayer every Monday to Friday from 7.30 am to 5.30 pm, continuing to maintain God’s physical presence in the City of London. Our regular services are Choral Mass with sermon on Wednesdays at 1.10 pm, and Said Masses on Tuesdays at 8.10 am and 12.10 pm and Thursdays at 12.10 pm. Choral services are livestreamed on our YouTube channel (accessible from the church website www.botolph.org.uk).
Wednesday 5 November – Parish Requiem (Commemoration of All Souls) – Missa pro defunctis Palestrina
Wednesday 12 November in the week of The Third Sunday before Advent (Remembrance Sunday) – Mass of the quiet hour Oldroyd, Holy is the true light Harris, Nimrod Elgar
Wednesday 19 November in the week of The Second Sunday before Advent – Messe modale Alain, Prélude (Suite Médiévale) Langlais
Wednesday 26 November in the week of the Solemnity of Christ the King – Missa sopra la battaglia Croce, Ecce vicit leo Philips, Lobe den Herren, den mächtigen König der Ehren Dienel
SEASON OF REMEMBRANCE
Wednesday 5 November – Choral Parish Requiem. All are warmly invited to attend our annual All Souls Day service on Wednesday 5 November at 1.10 pm. It provides an opportunity to remember departed loved ones in the context of a Choral Requiem – St Botolph’s Choir will be singing movements of the Missa pro defunctis by Palestrina in his 500th anniversary year. At the heart of this service is the solemn ceremony of the reading aloud of the names of departed loved ones and the lighting of candles in their memory by their relatives, friends and colleagues who are present in church.
The book in which members of the congregation can add the names of their loved ones is available in church until the morning of the service; alternatively please email names for inclusion to Mhairi at church@botolph.org.uk no later than Tuesday 4 November.
Friday 7 November – Honourable Artillery Company Remembrance
Act of Remembrance at at the WW1 Cross: at 11.50am Fr David and the Padre of the Honourable Artillery Company will lead a short act of remembrance at the WW1 Cross in the Churchyard (the first memorial to the Great War to be erected in London). Service of Remembrance: at 12.00 noon we welcome officers and members of the HAC as they join the Padre, Fr David, and St Botolph’s musicians for the Company’s annual Remembrance service and wreath-laying.
Tuesday 11 November – Liverpool Street Station Remembrance
From 10.45 am on Thursday 11 November, Fr David and the Railway Chaplain will lead a short Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial at the station, including a two minutes’ silence at 11.00 am. Musicians from St Botolph’s will once again be leading the music.
Wednesday 13 November – Choral Mass at 1.10 pm
In the week of Remembrance Sunday, we conclude our season of remembrance with a short Act of Remembrance, appropriate prayers, hymns and music at our Wednesday lunchtime service.
Remembrancetide concerts elsewhere by ensembles which rehearse at St Botolph’s: The Outcry Ensemble brings together the voices of several choirs, who have been rehearsing at St Botolph’s with the acclaimed choral conductor Tim Brown, in a performance of Benjamin Britten’s War Requiem with outstanding vocal soloists at Southwark Cathedral on Saturday 8 November at 7.30 pm. The performance is preceded by a talk by Dr Rowan Williams. More information and tickets from www.theoutcryensemble.com
The Heroes Band, formed by bandmaster David Vaninetti-Smart to raise funds for the charity Help the Heroes, has rehearsed at St Botolph’s for over 10 years. Their forthcoming Remembrancetide Concert on Saturday 15 November at 6.00 pm at St Peter’s, London Docks, is free to attend and has a retiring collection in aid of Help for Heroes. More information from www.theheroesband.org.uk
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NOVEMBER CONCERTS AT ST BOTOLPH’S AND BEYOND
The Orlando Chamber Choir, which rehearses at St Botolph’s regularly under director Lucy Goddard, presents a concert of ‘Sacred Songs, Magical Madrigals and Angelic Anthems’ by Renaissance giants Tallis, Byrd and Gibbons at St Botolph’s on Thursday 6 November at 7.30 pm.
More information and tickets from https://www.orlandochoir.org.uk
On Friday 14 November at 1.00 pm we welcome to St Botolph’s the Vernal Duo – Katy Taylor, flute, and Yiyao Li, piano – for a lunchtime concert featuring music by Handel, Gaubert, Chaminade and Fauré. Admission is free.
Fans of the music at St Botolph’s will be delighted and proud to know that Iestyn Evans and five of our regular singers – Philippa Boyle, Rebecca Hardwick, Diana Moore, Michael Bell and Michael Hickman – are performing at the Wigmore Hall on Sunday 23 November at 3.00 pm. The concert includes a wide-ranging programme of 20th-century English and Welsh song. Focusing primarily on the prolific song composer Roger Quilter, it places his works in the context of his contemporaries and successors. Come along and support our musicians! More information and tickets at https://www.wigmore-hall.org.uk/whats-on/202511231500
LOOKING FURTHER AHEAD – ADVENT AT ST PAUL’S
As in previous years, we have received a warm invitation from the Dean of St Paul’s to attend the great Advent Carol Service at St Paul’s Cathedral – this year it takes place on Saturday 29 November at 5.30 pm (the service will last about an hour and a quarter).
During this moving and uplifting service the Cathedral Choir moves throughout the building singing music which reflects the Advent themes of light and hope, together with readings from scripture and literature, and some of the best-loved of the Advent hymns.
Young people (aged 8-14 years) from across the Diocese are also invited to be part of the procession of light which moves through the Cathedral as part of the processions. There is a rehearsal earlier in the afternoon for this, when the children and their supervising parent/guardian will be taken through the procession. All children participating will need to be available to rehearse from 3.00 pm onwards on the day.
Parishes can request tickets for the service according to the number of people who wish to attend. Application is by parish group rather than by individuals, so our Services and Events Co-ordinator James Sherwood will be gathering expressions of interest from St Botolph’s congregation members and friends. If you wish to be included in a St Botolph’s group attending the service, please contact James at office@botolph.org.uk by 7 November.
Looking FURTHER ahead: St Botolph’s Advent and Christmas services
There will be a full listing of Advent and Christmas services, carol services, concerts and events in our December newsletter, but here are some dates you may wish to put in your diaries now:
Thursday 4 December at 1.10 pm: Advent Carol Service with St Botolph’s Choir
Thursday 11 December at 1.10 pm: Parish Carol Service with St Botolph’s Choir and the Choir of the Coopers’ Company and Coborn School
Monday 22 December at 5.30 pm: Carols by Candelight a short and joyous evening service with St Botolph’s Choir
Wednesday 24 December at 11.00 am: Choral Mass of Christmas and Blessing of the Crib with St Botolph’s Choir
