Thank you to everyone who contributed to a weekend of thanksgiving for Her Majesty at St Mary’s Church.

St Mary’s Church will be open on Monday, 19 September, from 1pm to 8pm, to reflect, pray, light a candle or sign the Book of Condolence.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has written:

As a faithful Christian disciple, and also Supreme Governor of the Church of England, she lived out her faith every day of her life. Her trust in God and profound love for God was foundational in how she led her life – hour by hour, day by day.

In The Late Queen’s life, we saw what it means to receive the gift of life we have been given by God and – through patient, humble, selfless service – share it as a gift to others.

Read his full statement here…

A prayer of thanksgiving for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Creator of Heaven and Earth,
Through all our days you fashion us and by your grace we grow.
We thank you for all that was accomplished in your servant Elizabeth.
Throughout her life she glorified your name.
May that also be true for each of us and for our nation;
And may our dearly departed Queen rest in peace and rise in glory.
Amen.

King Charles III delivers his address to the nation and the Commonwealth from Buckingham Palace, London, following the death of Queen Elizabeth II on Thursday. (Photo: Yui Mok/PA Wire)

A prayer for the new King
Everlasting God, we pray for our new King.
Bless his reign and the life of our nation.
Help us to work together
so that truth and justice, harmony and fairness
flourish among us;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.