Pact is organising two unforgettable Advent carol services.
Around 100,000 children across England and Wales will be spending Christmas without mum or dad because they are in prison. Pact has been supporting people in prison and their children and families for 125 years. The Advent services will highlight their work.
The first carol service will take place at 7pm on Tuesday 5th December 2023 at Our Lady of Victories Catholic church, Kensington High Street, London. Rt Rev Richard Moth, Liaison Bishop for Prisons, will be presiding at the service.
“You are warmly invited to join us, in solidarity with everyone affected by imprisonment. We are delighted to announce that Roger McGough will be reading his beautiful poetry at the Carol Service. Roger is one of Britain’s best-loved poets, presenter of BBC Radio’s Poetry Please, and a good friend to Pact. His poem Everything Touches brought hope to people inside as part of a Pact National Prison Radio programme during the pandemic,” Pact said.
“At our Carol service, the choir of Sacred Heart High School, Hammersmith, will lead us in song as we prepare for Christmas and bring prisoners and their families before the Lord in prayer. This is a great opportunity to hear Our Lady of Victories’ fantastic Grand Organ being played too.”
Stay and continue the conversation over refreshments in the Hall downstairs. There is full disabled access for this event.
The second carol service will take place at 7pm at Our Lady and St Brigid’s Church, Northfield, Birmingham, B31 5AB on Thursday 7 December 2023.
“Fr Cecil Rogerson and Fr Gary Buckby will be presiding at the service alongside wonderful ecumenical friends. The St Brigid’s School Choir will lead us in song as we prepare for Christmas and bring prisoners and their families before the Lord in prayer,” Pact said.
“Alongside readings and poems, we will be privileged to hear from someone with lived experience of the criminal justice system.”
Stay and meet Pact CEO Andy Keen-Downs and members of the national and local Pact team to continue the conversation over refreshments in the Hall afterwards.
Book tickets for London here
Book tickets for Birmingham here