As our nation mourns the loss of our beloved Queen Elizabeth II the outpouring of tributes and thanksgiving for such a much loved and respected monarch has been phenomenal. Our late Sovereign Lady has been referred to as Elizabeth the Great, which would be a very fitting title in time considering the length and distinctiveness of her long reign.
A clergy colleague of mine commented after having queued early on to view the Queen lying in state, as he walked past her Majesty’s coffin and out into the morning sunrise, he felt as if he was literally walking out of the second Elizabethan age…

The news of her death shocked us all didn’t it and even though Her Majesty looked extremely frail in her final public photographs, it was hard to believe after seeing her brilliant beautiful smile of welcome to our new prime minister Liz Truss, that shortly afterwards her life would draw to a close. Yet among the obvious sadness that follows such a loss of someone who has been a constant in all our lives, there has been a wonderful atmosphere of warmth and thankfulness throughout. From the incredible detail of the ceremonial and formal, yet intimate too, as the Royal family have led us through those amazing first ten days of national mourning and invited us to mourn and give thanks with them. And the nation has responded. Whether with the somewhat pilgrimage nature of the queue for Westminster Hall as thousands queued overnight and more to pay their respects to the Queen lying in state or as many more thousands travelled from all over the nation and beyond to visit the capital and lay flowers at Green Park, and outside other royal residences, the mood has been one of gratefulness, kindness, support and a deep respect and love for our late Queen.

As we lay flowers in Green Park I was struck not only by the amount of flowers and the messages of appreciation but at how beautiful London looked in the late September sunshine, the leaves still green, dappled in the sunshine. The flags lining The Mall, the uniqueness of being able to walk over Westminster Bridge in the middle of the road – all traffic suspended for the time being. Truly remarkable times….

Autumn sets in now as we continue with our Harvest Festival in church followed by harvest teas. We will be donating foodstuff to Dorking Foodbank and taking up a monetary collection to send to Christian Aid for the East Africa Hunger Crisis. After the worst drought in 40 years people there are facing the threat of famine and harvests have failed, livestock has died and there are water shortages. Please do contribute if you can. You can donate online at canid.org.uk/hungercrisis <canid.org.uk/hungercrisis> or call 08080 004 004.

At the end of the month we approach the season of All Saints and All Souls and the latter gives us an opportunity to gather to remember our loved ones no longer here. A special service of comfort for all those who have been bereaved will be held at Capel Church on Sunday 30th October, followed by teas. Lists for the name of loved ones will be in church leading up to the service. With the Queen’s passing we are all reminded of our loved ones and of loss past and present. All are welcome to the service however long ago your loss occurred. We will remember them together.

Finally, a thought…. the Queen was quoted as having said “I have to be seen to be believed”. Many have been fortunate to have met or seen Her Late Majesty, and many would have liked to have been able to have visited her Lying in State. St Paul speaks of faith as being not looking at what can be seen, but looking at what cannot be seen. For he says, what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal. Amen to that!
God save the King.

With my love and prayers
Rev Liz