Groton celebrates 2023 Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols

St. John’s Chapel once again played host to Groton School’s most beloved Christmas tradition, the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols, December 8, 10, and 14.

Groton School was founded in the tradition of the Episcopal Church, and the Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols has served as a distinct expression of that heritage since it was first offered on the Circle. In fact, Groton was likely among the first communities to emulate the service from King’s College, Cambridge, England, which held its first Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols on Christmas Eve in 1918, just as World War I ended and during the deadly influenza pandemic. 

Today, the service is replicated and cherished by communities all around the world. The readings tell of God's loving purposes for humankind, and the carols offer comfort and joy for all people. A founding trustee of Groton School and friend of Endicott Peabody, the Right Reverend Phillips Brooks, wrote the text of the famous carol “O Little Town of Bethlehem,” which includes the line “the hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” This service holds us all, and the hopes and fears of our years, again this year. 

 

The Reverend Allison Read, Groton School’s chaplain, presided at each service, which began after a prelude by the Groton School Chamber Orchestra, directed by Tim Terranella.

 

Groton’s choir, under the guidance of Choirmaster and Organist Daniel Moriarty, sang traditional hymns and carols, while honorees shared the nine religious readings—the lessons. Soloists included Amelia Barnum ’24, Ava Bridges ’24, Anders Caspersen ’25, Chloé Farel ’24, Afrika Gaye ’24, Alicia Leng ’28, Folasade Pickering ’26, Charles Rogers ’24, and Kayla Zheng ’26.

 

The December 8 audience was made up primarily of our neighbors in Groton and other surrounding towns, and those relationships were represented in the guest speakers, who included Groton Public Library Director Vanessa Abraham, African Community Center of Lowell Founder and Director Gordon Halm, the Reverend Stephanie Bradbury, priest in charge at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Ayer, and the Rev. Seán Maher, pastor of the St. J’s Collaborative of Our Lady of Grace and Saint John the Evangelist Roman Catholic parishes in Groton, Pepperell, Dunstable, Townsend, and Ashby.  

 

The December 10 service welcomed parents and alumni. Speakers included Charles C. and Ann W. Alexander Chair and Director of Academic Skills Kate Dennison P’12, ’12, ’15; Stella Nganga P’25; Morgan E. Pagliocco ’14; Trustee William C. Vrattos ’87, P’18, ’19, ’23; former organist and choir director Craig E. Smith P’85, ’88, ’89; Chapel Prefect Isabella Gardiner ’24; Senior Prefect Keira Ley ’24; William M. Polk ’58, Groton’s sixth headmaster; and Headmaster Temba T. Maqubela.

 

The final service of the 2023 season—for those who live and work on the Circle—took place on Thursday, December 14, and was broadcast via livestream. Speakers included form offers and prefects, as well as Theater Technician Emma Covert, Mr. Polk, and Mr. Maqubela.

 

Groton School wishes a Merry Christmas and happy holiday season to all!