Service for the New Parliament at St Margaret's Church

The service was conducted by the Reverend Robert Wright, Rector of St Margaret’s and Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons.

The Address was given by the Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury, Primate of All England and Metropolitan.

The Lord Speaker, the Baroness Hayman, read Nehemiah 1: 5-11a and the Speaker of the House of Commons, the Right Honourable John Bercow MP, read Matthew 22: 16b-21.

Prayers were led by Reverend Michael Macey, Minor Canon of Westminster and said by the Right Honourable Sir Alan Beith MP; Tom Harris MP; Commissioner John Matear, Territorial Commander of the Salvation Army;  the Reverend Dr John Oloyede, Pastor of the City Chapel; the Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, (Roman Catholic) Archbishop of Westminster; the Most Reverend Dr Barry Morgan, Archbishop of Wales; and the Right Honourable Sir George Young MP, Leader of the House of Commons and Lord Privy Seal.

The Blessing was given by the Dean of Westminster, the Very Reverend Dr John Hall.

The service was sung by the Choir of St Margaret’s conducted by Aidan Oliver, Director of Music. The organ was played by Richard Pearce.

See also

The Order of Service (PDF, 53KB)

The Address given by The Most Reverend and Right Honourable Dr Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury