Dear friends
At this terribly sad time when our nation mourns the loss of its beloved Queen, HRH Elizabeth II, the church would like to communicate some of the ways in which we can pay our respects and mourn this great loss together. Over the next 10 days there will be opportunities for both private and corporate prayer and reflection at both churches in our villages, St Mary’s Kings Worthy and St Swithun’s Headbourne Worthy.
Both churches will be open all day as normal, but with music playing, photo displays, flowers, and with printed books and prayers to take away, and a memorial book to sign in honour of the Queen. In addition, there will be candle lighting and clergy present at the following times every day starting from Friday evening:
9-10am – St Mary’s Church
3-4pm – St Swithun’s Church
6-7pm – St Mary’s Church
If you wish to bring flowers to mark this sad moment in our national life, they can be laid by the church door at St Mary’s and the war memorial at St Swithun’s.
On Sunday 18th September we will have the following services ahead of the official state funeral which will be nationally broadcast on Monday 19th September –
- 8am Holy Communion according to BCP at Swithun’s
- 10am a Joint Parish Communion service with a special liturgy provided by the Church of England at St Mary’s
- 3pm Common Worship Holy Communion at the Chapel with special liturgy and prayers,
In addition, the national Church of England are providing the opportunity to sign an online book of condolence here: https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-her-majesty-queen and light a virtual candle here: https://www.churchofengland.org/remembering-her-majesty-queen/her-majesty-queen-book-condolence#light-a-candle
Please can we ask you to share this message widely to friends and family, and via social media, so that everyone locally is made aware of how they can find space and time to remember and grieve our cherished Queen at this sad time.
May the God of all comfort be with you all,
Revd Paul Bradish