A bond maintained through the years
Colin Pritchard (Theology, 1962)
In 1959, a group of young men met at King’s for the first time and began their training for ordination. 65 years later, this group go by the name of ‘Kings59’ and continue to meet monthly on Zoom. Colin recounts the journey of their enduring friendship and shared experiences.
‘In 1959, I met my course mates for the first time as we began our marvellous three-year training for ordination at King’s on The Strand. There were two parallel courses; the AKC (Associateship of King’s College) was only for men training for ministry in the Church of England and the BD (Bachelor of Divinity) was for all comers and a bit more academic. Apart from the academic work, every week we had an hour’s voice production training and an hour with the college organist. After our three years on the Strand, we had a four-term year at St Boniface College, Warminster, Wiltshire with no exams and a great variety of pastoral and practical training.
‘After we graduated, the Warminster College organised an annual week-long conference and silent retreat. Every year, there were more of “our” year than any other. When our College Warden died, aged 98, we had one more Warminster retreat, then that too ceased. Most of us who were regularly on those retreats decided we would organise our own and booked the retreat house of the Wantage sisters.
‘But then came COVID and we had to cancel. Foolishly, without really knowing what Zoom was, I suggested that we held our retreat there. I then further suggested that we met online monthly to say Morning Prayer together. To set up my Zoom account, I needed a simple password, so I used "Kings59" , the year we all met at King's to start our training.
‘We now call ourselves "Kings59". Without fail, I have set up an online call for us on the first Thursday morning of every month. At 10.00 we all assemble (not very easily in the early days!) to say Common Worship Morning Prayer in the style we were familiar with at St Boniface. Then, two of us report on how life is for us at present, and then we talk. We are usually finished by 11.30.
‘Last year we were able to celebrate 60 years of ministry. Seven of us travelled to Cheltenham for a Eucharist in a parish church with others joining online. Because my colleagues had celebrated their 40th and 50th anniversaries of being ordained, I asked my vicar if I could preside at a Eucharist in my parish church for them on the 60th anniversary of Trinity Sunday 1964, even though none of them would be able to attend in person. This parish was splendid in their support with an organist, robed choir and a congregation of 30. There were even three priests present to renew their diaconal and priestly vows with those at home joining in. This time not on Zoom, but livestreamed and subsequently available on YouTube.
‘As you would expect with men of our age, our number is slowly diminishing and four of us have died in the time we have been Zooming. We are now down to 12, but we shall keep going, as we remember our days at King’s with fondness and gratitude.’
Interested in planning a reunion?
If you’re interested in reconnecting with old friends, find out about how we can help you set up your own reunion here: Reunions | King’s alumni | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk)
The Theology class of 1962, pictured outside St Boniface College, Warminster.
The Theology class of 1962, pictured outside St Boniface College, Warminster.
The Theology class of 1962 pictured at St Boniface College, Warminster in 2019.
The Theology class of 1962 pictured at St Boniface College, Warminster in 2019.
Colin Pritchard
Colin Pritchard
The Theology class of 1962, pictured outside St Boniface College, Warminster.
The Theology class of 1962, pictured outside St Boniface College, Warminster.
In 1959, a group of young men met at King’s for the first time and began their training for ordination. 65 years later, this group go by the name of ‘Kings59’ and continue to meet monthly on Zoom. Colin recounts the journey of their enduring friendship and shared experiences.
‘In 1959, I met my course mates for the first time as we began our marvellous three-year training for ordination at King’s on The Strand. There were two parallel courses; the AKC (Associateship of King’s College) was only for men training for ministry in the Church of England and the BD (Bachelor of Divinity) was for all comers and a bit more academic. Apart from the academic work, every week we had an hour’s voice production training and an hour with the college organist. After our three years on the Strand, we had a four-term year at St Boniface College, Warminster, Wiltshire with no exams and a great variety of pastoral and practical training.
‘After we graduated, the Warminster College organised an annual week-long conference and silent retreat. Every year, there were more of “our" year than any other. When our College Warden died, aged 98, we had one more Warminster retreat, then that too ceased. Most of us who were regularly on those retreats decided we would organise our own and booked the retreat house of the Wantage sisters.
The Theology class of 1962 pictured at St Boniface College, Warminster in 2019.
The Theology class of 1962 pictured at St Boniface College, Warminster in 2019.
‘But then came COVID and we had to cancel. Foolishly, without really knowing what Zoom was, I suggested that we held our retreat there. I then further suggested that we met online monthly to say Morning Prayer together. To set up my Zoom account, I needed a simple password, so I used "Kings59" , the year we all met at King's to start our training.
‘We now call ourselves "Kings59". Without fail, I have set up an online call for us on the first Thursday morning of every month. At 10.00 we all assemble (not very easily in the early days!) to say Common Worship Morning Prayer in the style we were familiar with at St Boniface. Then, two of us report on how life is for us at present, and then we talk. We are usually finished by 11.30.
‘Last year we were able to celebrate 60 years of ministry. Seven of us travelled to Cheltenham for a Eucharist in a parish church with others joining online. Because my colleagues had celebrated their 40th and 50th anniversaries of being ordained, I asked my vicar if I could preside at a Eucharist in my parish church for them on the 60th anniversary of Trinity Sunday 1964, even though none of them would be able to attend in person. This parish was splendid in their support with an organist, robed choir and a congregation of 30. There were even three priests present to renew their diaconal and priestly vows with those at home joining in. This time not on Zoom, but livestreamed and subsequently available on YouTube.
‘As you would expect with men of our age, our number is slowly diminishing and four of us have died in the time we have been Zooming. We are now down to 12, but we shall keep going, as we remember our days at King’s with fondness and gratitude.’
Colin Pritchard
Colin Pritchard
Interested in planning a reunion?
If you’re interested in reconnecting with old friends, find out about how we can help you set up your own reunion here: Reunions | King’s alumni | King’s College London (kcl.ac.uk)
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