My dear friends
We are all, I am certain, deeply saddened by the death of Her Majesty the Queen. The suddenness with which it came has also, for many, come as a shock.
As a local community of Christians here we share in our nation’s grief, we acknowledge the profound significance of this moment in our nation’s, and indeed the world’s, history, and, even in the midst of uncertainty, we look to the future with hope.
Below you’ll find some information about how we at St Wilfrid’s and St Francis churches will be marking the Queen’s life and passing during this official mourning period.
I do hope you will be able to benefit from some or all of the opportunities here.
In the meantime, I am sure you will join with me in giving God our deepest thanks for this remarkable woman of God, and in praying for her family, especially our new King, Charles III.
Blessings
Rev Pete
At St Wilfrid’s, Brayton:
St Wilfrid’s Open: -For the duration of the mourning period, St Wilfrid’s will be open daily from 9am-5pm for quiet prayer and the opportunity to sign a Book of Condolence.
Sunday 11th Sept: -This Sunday’s 10.30am service at St Wilfrid’s will not now be the advertised Family Communion Service, but a Service of Holy Communion marking the death of the Queen.
-We do hope technology will allow us to livestream the service.
-I will email out another Additional Sunday Sheet tomorrow suitable for this service.
Flower Festival Weekend: -The Flower Festival will go ahead, but not the wine and cheese event on the Friday evening or the concert on the Saturday evening.
16th-18th Sept -This was a very difficult decision to make, not least given all the work that Sue Beevers, Martin Millward and others have already put into the event, and I know there will be many who will be very disappointed. However, I felt that whilst the nature of a church full of flowers would still be in keeping with the national period of mourning, the other 2 events would not be.
-We will reschedule the concert, and use it then as a way of celebrating the Queen’s life.
-Any tickets already bought will, of course, be valid for the rescheduled event.
Service of Commemoration: -A service to mark the life and death of the Queen will take place at St Wilfrid’s on Sat 17th Sept 2pm. (This will be changed if the funeral happens on the 17th).
At St Francis, Thorpe Willoughby:
Saturday 10th Sept: -St Francis' church will be open for prayer between 11a.m. and 2 pm tomorrow.
-There will be the opportunity for private prayer or to light a candle
-Prayers led by Rev Roy Shaw or Jackie Jackman will take place on the half hour and the hour during the time the church is open.