The Church of England has published three new prayers written to mark the Queen’s Jubilee this summer. Two of them are part of a new celebration liturgy and are intended specially to be said by children.
The main prayer, commended for use thoughout the land by the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, Dr Rowan Williams and Dr John Sentamu, was written at the Queen’s direction by the Chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral.
It will be used in the Jubilee Thanksgiving Service at the Cathedral on Tuesday June 5.
Read it all (subscription required).
Without a subscription to the Times, I cannot read Ruth Gledhill’s commentary, which would no doubt be interesting. However the London Telegraph has a (free) commentary at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/theroyalfamily/9051869/Church-of-England-releases-prayer-to-mark-Queens-jubilee.html, and the prayer itself is at: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/the_queens_diamond_jubilee/9051899/The-Queens-Diamond-Jubilee-Prayer.html
Both the Telegraph and the Times are best enjoyed over a pint glass, looking through the steamy windows of a British pub onto a rainy day outside.
Interesting that the prayer was “written at the Queen’s direction by the chapter of St Paul’s Cathedral”. I wonder if ex-Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser had any input into it prior to his resignation? The theology seems sound.
The prayer may also be found on the CofE site here
The service for Accession Day from the BCP is lovely. I may use it instead of my normal private Morning Prayer on Monday. My son is getting married in England on 2 June, so hopefully we will be able to take part in some of the festivities/services honoring this remarkable Lady while we are there.