St Mary’s Church held a special civic service in commemoration of the Queen on Sunday, September 18.
The Royal British Legion (RBL), Sea Scouts and RNLI standards were paraded with representatives from all three services. The procession formed in Market Street while the mayor and council took their post in the Buttermarket.
A time of reflection
It was a solemn and fitting tribute to our late monarch and the church was packed. People felt a strong desire to pay their respects and Revd Fiona Gill gave an address. Here is an extract from it:
“Reflection on Queen Elizabeth II for Rye civic service of commemoration
“On this very special occasion where many of the people of Rye are gathered to commemorate the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, I feel very honoured to lead this time of reflection.
“The last ten days have been an extraordinary time in the life of our nation – such an outpouring of love and respect for her majesty, the seas of flowers outside the royal residences and in green park, the many thousands of people turning up to bring flowers, pay their respects, and to queue to see the processions and the lying in state – wanting to just be there – all a huge sign of the affection and respect held for her in our country and across the world.
“The late Queen was of course noted for her life of incomparable service to the nation. We know that in a broadcast she made at the age of only twenty-one she declared that: “My whole life, whether it be long or short shall be dedicated to your service,” and she prayed “May God help me to make good my vow.”
I am sure you will agree with me that her vow has certainly been fulfilled, and her prayer answered. It struck me too, that prayers we have all uttered so many thousands of times in the words of the national anthem have also been answered. God did save her for an amazing 70 years of service, she did always appear happy and glorious; she did live a long life, she had many gifts, defended our laws, and “ever gave us cause to sing with heart and voice, God save our Queen.”
Defender of the Faith
“So God has watched over her, and enabled her in so many ways, and of course the Queen has always been mindful of that. As monarch she had the title of Defender of the Faith and supreme governor of the Church of England, but that wasn’t just a nominal thing for her. She had a deeply cherished faith in God all her life. She was brought up as a devoted Christian, taught to pray by her mother, and encouraged in bible reading from a young age. Indeed, at her coronation – although she was adorned with all the jewels and symbols of sovereignty and power, she viewed it very seriously as a deeply religious moment, and it was the private moment of anointing with oil for the gifts and graces of queenship which was particularly precious and significant to her.
“Before her coronation she asked her people to pray for her that God might give her wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises she would be making. Our Queen seemed to demonstrate both divinely gifted wisdom with the wisdom arising from years of experience. She worked with fifteen prime ministers, six of whom are still alive. All of them testify to the wonderful experience it was to meet with her in their weekly audiences.
An example of service
“It has been wonderful to hear the new King, her beloved son Charles III, declare that he wants to follow his mother’s example of incomparable service, to dedicate the rest of his life to service of the nation and commonwealth, and that he has declared that he knows he will need the help of Almighty God to do this well. He seems to have taken on the role of King with an innate majesty and dignity – a role he knew he was born for. I hope we can all support him in our prayers and see his reign go on to become as praiseworthy as that of his mother.
“For her now, all suffering and sorrow is past, she will be reunited with her beloved Philip, and she is face to face with the saviour she has served for so long. And I am sure He will have greeted her with the words, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant.’
“We too respectfully echo those words, in our gratitude to her for being a truly great Queen. May Queen Elizabeth rest in peace and rise in glory. May God bless the reign of King Charles III. Long live the King!”
There was a beautiful anthem, Ego Sum Resurrection by Lassus, sung by Revd Christopher Breeds, Martin Bruce and Hilary Morfitt. This celebrated the Christian belief in resurrection by faith.
Image Credits: Kt bruce .