Halleluia, amen!

The Justice Service in Chelmsford has its roots in the old assizes, when the judges who heard the most serious cases would arrive as part of their tour of the country to sit in judgement - and the assizes would start with a church service.

Since the assizes came to an end in the 1970s, the service has been replaced by an annual Justice Service, which brings together the judges, magistrates, lawyers, mayors and chairs, and all involved in the administration of justice in Essex, under the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff.

We arrive at the Crown Court just before eleven o'clock, to be arranged in our procession in an orderly fashion. We're behind Uttlesford but in front of Epping Forest, and we spend a few minutes speculating amongst ourselves about the rationale for the order in which we're placed. It's a short walk to the cathedral, which is already nearly full by the time we arrive. Seats have been reserved for the mayors and chairs near the front, so we settle in and look around - it's the first time I've been in the cathedral. There are no fewer than seven rows of judges and barristers in horsehair wigs in the centre of the congregation.

It's a traditional service, with hymns, prayers, and readings by the Lord Lieutenant and the High Sheriff. It's always a difficulty knowing what to do as a non-believer attending a religious service in an official capacity - it feels dishonest to sing and say words I don't believe in. I hum the tunes of the hymns and stay silent for the prayers. The music is wonderful, whatever one's religious beliefs or lack of them - the church in England has been such a seedbed for musical creativity throughout the centuries, and it's reflected here, from old-style chants through Handel's majestic Zadok the Priest (composed for the coronation of George II in the eighteenth century, and sung at every coronation ever since) to Benjamin Britten from the last century, and even some parts of the service written by the cathedral's present musical director to bring it all right up to date.

The sermon, by Bishop of Chelmsford John Gladwin, is short (by comparison with the hour-long lectures I remember from my days as an evangelical, anyway!) and thought-provoking, as he talks about truth and freedom and the need for the two to co-exist. I've met the Bishop on several occasions now, and have found him a very warm and humane person, with a real interest in his community, including Harlow and its future.

The service ends with the National Anthem (two verses!) and we exit to the famous Toccata by Widor. We process back to Shire Hall for a glass of wine, canapés and the chance to chat with fellow mayors and chairs and other guests.