Founders' Day

The 183^rd Founders' Day Service occurred in its stately and solemn way on the 6^th of October, 2023. A growing number of Lerpoolians joined the service this year, one at least for the first time since 1966! 

The Founders and Benefactors were listed on the first page of the service sheet, and the Procession entered to the singing of Lift Up Your Hearts.

After The Principal had read  The Commemoration of Founders and Benefactors, The Procession of The Houses occurred while the orchestra played ‘Flourish for Wind Band’ (Ralph Vaughan Williams); pupils from the Primary and Secondary phases presented emblems of their houses to bring the College before God for his blessing.

The sermon was given by The Reverend Geoff Felton, Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC) Mersey Synod. 

Geoff was born and raised in Higher Bebington on the Wirral, where he spent his teenage years before moving away to study. He became a Christian in 1984 at Anfield during Mission England, a gathering led by late American evangelist Dr Billy Graham.

The Reverend Geoff Felton

In his sermon, Geoff referred to the story of the shepherds visited by an angel of the Lord (Luke 2), describing the first Christmas night. He asked if we like films. Action, romcom, drama? In the film Sliding Doors, the plot revolves around whether the heroine of the film manages to jump through the closing (sliding) doors of a London Underground train. The rest of the film shows two parallel outcomes depending on whether she successfully gets the train or is left on the train platform. The question is, does she take the opportunities presented to her by her situation?

Similarly, the shepherds on the hillside had to decide whether to make use of the opportunity shown to them by the angel. They had been waiting for centuries for the Messiah to come as prophesied. Would the shepherds stay with their sheep or go in search of the Messiah?

And this binary opportunity is also available to Liverpool College pupils today. Will they make the most of the educational opportunities they have to hand? Will they maximise their knowledge growing in character and wisdom? Will they try new experiences? Will they excel in sports or art if academia is not their strong suit?

Pupils should remain inquisitive of the world around them and take the chances life presents to them every day. To talk to new people, to sit beside a lonely fellow pupil and make conversation and friendship.

The Founders of Liverpool College reached out in faith to make something special, knowing their actions today would be for the benefit of pupils tomorrow.

How will your life pan out?

What will be your "sliding doors" moment?

There followed an Anthem sung by the School Choir and accompanied by the School Orchestra, after which prayers were said by representatives taken from all parts of the college family.

The School Song was sung next, and, for those who had always struggled with Latin, on the rear page of the programme was a phonetic version!

In a new item in the programme, the Chamber Choir, drawn from some of the more senior pupils, performed an acapella piece, standing in the very centre of the aisle under the bell tower.

Two verses of God Save the King closed the service.

Last of the Summer Wine

For our Founders' Day special, the attendees decamped to The Philharmonic Hall Dining Rooms. A good turnout ensued, with the usual level of banter and anecdotes being swapped. It was great so many could attend.

The Team Photo

Keith Porter and Charles Hillock sent their apologies, whilst a special mention should be made about John Woods, who had probably travelled the furthest to be with us today.