Two weeks ago we witnessed a historic moment. We experienced the pageantry and pomp of the Coronation of His Majesty, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla. There has been much discussion of the ceremony and, in particular, the multifaith components of the service. Uniquely this service wove the clear commitment HM the King has made not only to his own faith but in being ‘Defender of Faith’.
Last Sunday, at St Mary’s Woburn, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Susan Lousada held a Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen. This service included interfaith participation too, which was admirable.
At this special service, Lord-Lieutenant said, “I have been Lord Lieutenant now for eight months, and during that time we have lived through the end of an era with the death of Queen Elizabeth the Second and the coronation of our new King. I felt that I could not let today pass without thanking all of you in this county that have been involved in marking these two historic occasions.”
“Last weekend I was both honoured and privileged to attend Their Majesties' Coronation. It was a thrilling, beautiful, and humbling occasion - a memory to be treasured for a lifetime. There were several things that I will take from the service such as the Archbishop of Canterbury speaking about ‘Service’ being ‘love in action’. This so resonated with me because I have seen so much love, care, and kindness throughout our county during my first eight months. Thank you to all who serve this county.”
Then she read out an extract from His Majesty The King’s Christmas Message 2022, which perfectly summed up what love in action means.
Dr. Virendra Soni and Professor Zafar Khan, Chairs of Bedford & Luton Councils of Faiths thanked the Lord Lieutenant for weaving the multifaith components into the service, inviting different faiths representatives to offer flowers, honouring His Majesty The King and his love of creation. They said, “It was a fitting celebration of the coronation of Their Majesties. The inclusion of the different faiths in this special service perfectly echoed the message that came from His Majesty; that all faiths are welcome, and should be acknowledged within our communities.
Long Live the King.
Different faiths representatives were invited to offer flowers honouring His Majesty The King and his love of creation at HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire’s Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen on Sunday 14 May 2023 at 3.00pm at St Mary’s Church, Woburn, MK17 9PG
Different faiths representatives were invited to offer flowers honouring His Majesty The King and his love of creation at HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire’s Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the Coronation of Their Majesties The King and Queen on Sunday 14 May 2023 at 3.00pm at St Mary’s Church, Woburn, MK17 9PG