Church Service followed by Election of Lord Mayor

29th September 2023

St Lawrence Jewry

Lining up in the Crypt at Guildhall is an exhilarating experience. You never know if the great 12 will go first or last. It reminds me of alphabetical order from grade school. Photos are taken and we wave and smile broadly to one another. It is a jubilant setting.

Before we vote in Common Hall, we process to St Lawrence Jewry to pray. We shuffle quietly in and await the pageantry of Aldermen, Sheriffs, and Past Lord Mayors to take their seats before the current Lord Mayor enters with the Lady Mayoress. Hymns, prayers, collects and lessons of the day make this feel like a midweek service anywhere. Yet, this is no ordinary church service. It is sombre and official and reminiscent of what I believe services hundreds of years ago would have been like. When men alone would say a prayer for guidance. A prayer to ensure that today’s vote for the next Lord Mayor would be the correct one. The Lord Mayor said a few words and then we all filed out of the church. We headed back to the crypt, back to the line. We united with Masters who for various reasons had not attended the service. We adjusted our robes and our badges. We waited for the signal to process again. To cast the vote for the next Lord Mayor of the City of London.