MSC Deck Cadet Alice Kerby had the honour to be invited by Nico Corbijn, Vice President of Crew Management for MSC, to the prestigious Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols held by the Mission of Seafarers in London on 3rd December 2019.
The service was held at St. Michael Paternoster Royal where Alice was asked to read the Third Lesson Isaiah, Chapter 9, Verse 2, 6 and 7 (Christ’s birth and Kingdom are foretold by Isaiah).
The lessons were read by:
- HRH, The Princess Royal
- Dr. Grahaeme Henderson, Vice President Shipping & Maritime, Shell International Trading and Shipping Company Limited
- Penny Phillips, Port Chairman, MtS Falmouth
- Karin Orsel, Chief Executive Officer, MF Shipping Group
- Claire Sneddon, Trustee, The Mission to Seafarers
- Dr Jason Zuidema, General Secretary International Christian Maritime Association, Executive Director, North American Maritime Ministry Association
- Catherine Spencer, Chief Executive Officer, Seafarers UK
- The Rt Revd David Williams, Bishop of Basingstoke
- Alice Kerby, Deck Officer Cadet, MSC Cruises
The service featured festive carols, readings and music, with a performance from the children’s choir from Hadrian’s School in South Shields. Over the summer months, the choir took part in the Sea Sunday service at the seafarers centre in South Shields. South Shields is one of the most historic UK shipping centres, with deep roots in seafaring.
Her Royal Highness Princess Ann attended the festival where Alice had the opportunity to meet her Royal Highness.
