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Thank you to everyone who joined us for our 2025 Christmas Carol Service.

We're very grateful to all of our guests for making the night such a success, including those who gave readings as part of the service: Baroness May of Maidenhead, our Honorary Vice President; Esther Waters, a clergy spouse and applicant; Carline Deal, a Governor and supporter of the Trust; Catherine Cashmore, our Head of External Relations; and our Senior Treasurer, Richard Farmbrough.

We're also deeply thankful to The King's Chapel of The Savoy for allowing us to use this breathtaking space for the evening: their Chaplain, The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse; Steward, Richard Buck; Master of Music, Philip Berg; and, of course, the talented members of their choir. We were treated to sublime performances of a range of festive favourites, including 'Once in royal David's city', 'Unto us is born a Son' and 'In the bleak mid-winter'.

It was a wonderful opportunity to catch up with old friends and to make new ones too, as guests joined us for a mince pie and a glass of wine in the adjoining Robing Room after the service. They left the service with an assortment of goodies, including our 2026-28 Strategy Booklet and a special advent candle, as a token of our thanks. Guests also left with information on how they could support our vital Advent Appeal:

Throughout Advent, clergy run food banks, work with the homeless, and visit people in hospitals and prisons - but over 2,700 clergy households still rely on our grants to get by each year, many for essentials like winter heating bills. Please help us to support the clergy who will spend their Christmas supporting all of us.

Donate to our Advent Appeal

The King's Chapel of The Savoy, and four choristers from their magnificent choir

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The interior of The King's Chapel of The Savoy. Guests are sat at pews, waiting for the service to begin.

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Four choristers, dressed in white and red robes, are singing from their pews.

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Four choristers, dressed in white and red robes, are walking down the aisle of the Church.

Baroness May of Maidenhead, our Honorary Vice President

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Baroness May of Maidenhead, our Honorary Vice President, is reading a prayer.

Esther Waters, a clergy spouse and applicant

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Esther Waters, a clergy spouse and applicant, reads a prayer.

Carline Deal, a Governor and supporter of the Trust

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Carline Deal, a Governor and supporter of the Trust, reads a prayer.

Catherine Cashmore, our Head of External Relations

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Catherine Cashmore, our Head of External Relations, reads a prayer.

The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse, Chaplain of the Royal Victorian Order

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The Revd Canon Thomas Woodhouse, Chaplain of the Royal Victorian Order, is leading a service, dressed in a golden robe.

The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls, The Rt Revd Paul Davies (Bishop of Dorking) and Colin Fletcher (Chair of the Retired Clergy Association)

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The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls, Bishop Paul Davies and Colin Fletcher.

Our Senior Treasurer, Richard Farmbrough

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Our Senior Treasurer, Richard Farmbrough, makes a speech.

Our Chief Executive, The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls

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Our Chief Executive, The Revd Ben Cahill-Nicholls, makes a speech.

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A man and a woman are sat on a wooden pew, smiling at the camera.

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A man and a woman are sat on a wooden pew, smiling at the camera.

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A man and a woman are crouched beside a woman in a wheelchair.
NOTES FOR EDITORS
Clergy Support Trust is the largest and oldest charity focussed on the wellbeing of clergy and their families. The Trust, originally founded in 1655, provides confidential help for Anglican clergy and their families across the UK, Ireland, Isle of Man, and Diocese in Europe. The Trust are confidential, independent, inclusive, and impartial, and we support clergy from training through to retirement. In 2024, we supported over 2,800 households with more than 7,300 grants.
For media enquiries, please email our External Relations team at hello@clergysupport.org.uk.