Diocesan News
A Service of Remembrance & Thanksgiving in Armagh
A congregation of invited guests and members of the public filled St Patrick’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, on the Hill of Armagh, to capacity on Thursday evening (15th September) for a Service of Remembrance and Thanksgiving for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
The new King was represented by the Earl of Caledon KCVO JP, His Majesty’s Lord Lieutenant for the County of Armagh, who with the Countess of Caledon was welcomed by Dean Shane Forster.
In opening the service, the Dean remarked: “We gather here this evening in this Cathedral Church, on the Hill of Armagh, to remember before God, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. We give thanks for her long and devoted life of service. We recall the dedication to duty that exemplified her reign, and reflect on her Christian faith and deep sense of vocation. Whilst celebrating her life and work for this Country and for the Commonwealth, we also remember her love for her own family and pray especially at this time for His Majesty King Charles and all the members of the Royal Family.”
The Bible readings were read by Mr Roger Wilson, Chief Executive of Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council (Job 38:1–11), and Archbishop Eamon Martin (Hebrews 6:13–20).
The Revd Dr Heather Morris, the Methodist Church’s General Secretary, preached passionately about the Queen’s life and example, encouraging those present to tell stories of Her Majesty’s humour and humility of spirit, kindness and courage. In particular, she recalled the Queen’s encounters with the late Martin McGuinness, curious American tourists at Balmoral, and David Nott, a war surgeon who saved many lives in Aleppo at the height of the civil war in Syria; she placed him at ease in her presence by inviting him to feed her corgis in a gentle act of compassion.
“Whatever we do and whatever else we say on this hill and at this time, let’s tell stories of Her Majesty’s faith,” Dr Morris remarked. “A deep rooted, persistent and consistent faith in God which underlay all of the characteristics of which we have spoken and of which we could speak. A faith in God which shaped her character as well as her reign.”
A hope in Jesus, she continued, enables us too “to live with courage and kindness … to take courageous action, even to look death in the face and not be afraid, and to commit ourselves as Her Majesty committed herself to the service of others.” Dr Morris added that as we do that, we as a story–telling people “find our heads lifted, we find ourselves weaving and telling stories not just of the past but the future that might be.”
Prayers were read by Mr Michael Dickson, Sheriff of Co. Armagh, a member of the Girls’ Brigade, a local Presbyterian minister, and a Roman Catholic member of the Armagh Cathedral Partnership.
The congregation sang ‘Be still, my soul: the Lord is on thy side’, ‘The King of love my shepherd is’ and ‘Lord of all hopefulness, Lord of all joy’, and concluded the service with the National Anthem.
Among those attending were Cardinal Seán Brady and the former Church of Ireland Primates of All Ireland, Lord Eames and Alan Harper. The service was closed with a blessing by Archbishop John McDowell: “May Christ the good shepherd enfold you with his love, fill you with his peace, and lead you in hope, to the end of your days; and the blessing of God almighty, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, be with you and remain with you always.”
For further information please contact:
Diocesan Communications Officer, Armagh
07703 821533
Mr Jonathan Hull
dco@armagh.anglican.org