The death of HM Queen Elizabeth II at the age of 96 has prompted an outpouring of emotion — in the county of Bedfordshire, across the country, and around the world. The newly appointed HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada held a special service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Church, Bedford. Several other events and services have also been held by the local authorities across the county.
Luton Council joined the national ‘Moment of Reflection’ last Sunday and held a short ceremony in front of Town Hall. Mayor of Luton Cllr Sameera Saleem opened the ceremony by thanking the Queen for inspiring her and all the women in leadership. Chair of Luton Council of Faiths Prof Zafar Khan stated Her Majesty’s subtle and sublime role is central in making British society tolerant and confident about its diversity. He hoped as citizens of this wonderful country, we all will strive to make Britain even stronger. Deputy Lieutenant Vinod Tailor recited a Sanskrit prayer (with English translation) for world peace and for the peace of the departed soul of our beloved Queen.
Cllr Maria Lovell MBE said, “As a Ghanaian British, I join with others in mourning the passing of a deep revered Queen. We have lost the matriarch of our nation. She was a cherished sovereign who had embodied stability and a beacon in the face of many changes. Her legacy as a Queen and stateswoman is of unmatched dignity.” She stated her late mother would often share the cherished memories of meeting the Queen during her state visit to Ghana.
At a special thanksgiving service held at St Mary’s Church Luton, C of E Bishop of St Albans Diocese The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith said, “We have lost the mother of our nation and we mourn. The Queen is no longer with us and we grieve. Quietly, patiently, persistently sticking to the promise she made on her 21st birthday; nothing has ever diverted her from her avowed commitment to serve - ‘A promise made and kept for life.
Reflecting on the last photograph taken of her Her Majesty at Balmoral, when the new Prime Minister, Liz Truss, had visited her, Bishop Alan said, “We see our Queen standing alone, slightly stooped with age, and yet her face is alight with a beaming smile. It teaches us a great lesson – how to grow old gracefully. In that moment, perhaps above all other moments in her life, her humanity shines through. This was someone who wore her faith in her heart, not on her sleeve. She revealed a new beauty, flowing out of a long, fruitful life lived to the full, a duty well discharged and a lifelong vow of service which was finally complete.”
Committing Her Majesty into the hands of Almighty God, Bishop Alan said “In faith we celebrate that she has now returned home. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”
A SPECIAL NOTE
Faith-based organisations who wish to have a direct route to pass on their message of condolence to His Majesty King Charles, can do so through Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby who has agreed to be a conduit and so the Office of the Archbishop is happy to receive any condolences sent via email. They will be saved in a separate folder and then passed on to HM King Charles.
Faith leaders who wish to give King Charles a message of condolence on behalf of their faith community are invited to send it to contact@lambethpalace.org.uk with ‘Faith Community Message of Condolence to HM the King’ in the subject line.
If it is an actual hard copy letter then the letters may be sent to the Private Secretary to the Late Queen at Buckingham Palace, London, SW1A 1AA, asking that condolences be passed to the monarch.
Representatives from different faiths & communities were invited to light candles in a Thanksgiving Service for the Queen at St Mary’s Luton on 14th Sep’22
C of E Bishop of St Albans Diocese The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith gave a moving address at the Thanksgiving Service for the Queen at St Mary’s Luton on 14th Sep’22
Cllr Maria Lovell MBE, a Ghanaian British gave a moving tribute at the Thanksgiving Service for the Queen at St Mary’s Luton on 14th Sep’22
Members of the public and Luton’s different faith communities gathered outside in front of the Luton Town Hall for a short ceremony of the national ‘Moment of Reflection’ held on Sunday 18th Sep’22
Chair of Luton Council of Faiths Prof Zafar Khan spoke at a short ceremony of the national ‘Moment of Reflection’ held on Sunday 18th Sep’22 outside Luton Town Hall.
Members of the public and Luton’s different faith communities gathered outside in front of the Luton Town Hall for a short ceremony of the national ‘Moment of Reflection’ held on Sunday 18th Sep’22