A black cloth-covered tripod with a photo of Queen Elizabeth II on top was the main focal point during a recent church service to honour the late Sovereign.
Twenty-three people gathered at St. Aidan Anglican Church on High Street East on Sept. 11 for prayer and reflection to remember Her Majesty, who died on Sept. 9 at age 96. The only illumination in the east-facing chapel came from lit candles and the sun streaming in from the west windows.
Three hymns were sung, including “O God, Our Help in Ages Past,” “Abide with me,” and “God Save the King.” The first two songs are sometimes sung during Remembrance Day ceremonies, while the final song is usually sung at graduation ceremonies or events featuring the lieutenant governor.
While only the first line of “God Save the King/Queen” is ever sung, there are actually three lines since it was written as a hymn.
Two passages from the Bible were also read.
A highlight from the event featured attendees standing up and discussing their memories of the Queen, either personal experiences or second-hand accounts from family who saw her.
One person recalled the Queen’s visit to the church in 1978 — known then as St. John’s — with Prince Philip and how she deposited a British five-pound banknote into the collection plate.
Another person recalled how her mother was pregnant when the Queen came in 1959. The person’s mother was dealing with a houseful of people but managed to slip outside in an attempt to catch a glimpse of the Royal couple on the train.
Only Prince Philip appeared and waved, while Queen Elizabeth stayed inside because she was feeling unwell — due to her own pregnancy.
Another person recalled how her sister was in 4-H when the Royal couple visited the Wells farm near Tuxford in 1959. The person’s sister showcased her cow to the Queen during the tour.
As head of the royal family, Queen Elizabeth played a role in the Church of England and held the titles of “Defender of the Faith” and “supreme governor.”
The Queen’s duties included appointing archbishops, bishops, and deans as advised by the prime minister. In 1970, she became the first Sovereign to inaugurate and address the church’s General Synod in person, a practice she continued every five years after diocesan elections.
The Most Rev. Justin Welby, Archbishop of Canterbury, released a statement expressing gratitude for the Queen.
“It was my great privilege to meet Her Late Majesty on many occasions. Her clarity of thinking, capacity for careful listening, inquiring mind, humour, remarkable memory and extraordinary kindness invariably left me conscious of the blessing that she has been to us all,” Welby said, adding Elizabeth’s “trust in God” was visible throughout her 70 years in power.
The Church of England and the Anglican Church of Canada — of which St. Aidan is a member — are part of the worldwide Anglican Communion, which consists of 43 geographical provinces with 88 million people.
The Anglican Church of Canada (ACC) also released a statement expressing its sorrow over Her Majesty’s death, noting she presided with grace and dignity, rooted in her Christian faith and love for everyone she served.
“We mourn her death and commend her to eternal life as a faithful servant,” the ACC added.
Queen Elizabeth II frequently spoke about her Christian faith during her 70-year reign, according to Christianity Today. Delivering her first Christmas address in 1952, a tradition started by her grandfather, King George V, the Queen requested prayer for her upcoming coronation.
The Queen also articulated the importance of her faith and recommended it to everyone.
“For me, the teachings of Christ and my own personal accountability before God provide a framework in which I try to lead my life,” she said in 2000. “I, like so many of you, have drawn great comfort in difficult times from Christ’s words and example.”
The Queen is dead! God save the king!
