Queen Elizabeth II

Dear Church Family,

 

I think it’s fair to say that many of us will be saddened but probably not surprised to hear the news of Queen Elizabeth’s passing yesterday. Her long life and her extensive reign was a testament of service and of her faith in Jesus, and we give thanks to God for her and all that she gave to each of us, to the nation and to the world.

 

Plans for how we officially mourn and publicly mark Queen Elizabeth’s life are still in the midst of being communicated, but it seems fitting that we need to adjust our plans for Sunday’s morning worship gathering. With that in mind the building team and a significant team of volunteers from across the church and the wider community have spent much of today ensuring that the church is usable for us, and so we’re pleased to say that we’ll be celebrating communion this Sunday in the church building at the usual time of 10am, and we’re inviting anyone in the community that wants to join us as we remember our beloved Queen.

 

As well as this we hope to be able to open the space over the week to provide a place for people to pray, reflect and even light a candle in remembrance. We will communicate more clearly the details of this as we know more.

 

Obviously this is a pivotal moment in the history of our nation. It literally is the end of an era. With moments like these the emotional and psychological impact often takes longer to emerge than we think or would like. One way to accelerate the process is to give time and space for yourself to reflect and ask the question of yourself “what is happening in my heart because of this” and allow the Holy Spirit to do that gentle work of healing where there is hurt, pain and regret. Mourning is something that the Western society wants to rush through but is crucial to ongoing emotional health and wholeness.

 

With all of this, I am here for each of you, to pray and to listen. Please feel free to come and talk – I’m keen to listen and to assist in any way.

 

Queen Elizabeth was an inspiration to us all in the way she devoted her life to service… service of people and of the Lord her God. I am certain that she is now in the heavenly throne room being greeted by her king, who is saying “Well done good and faithful servant!” My prayer is “May she rest in peace, and rise in Glory!”

 

Many Blessings

 

Chris