Message from Chaplaincy as nation mourns

The Chaplaincy Team joins with the nation in mourning the death of HM Queen Elizabeth II.

Her constant dedication and selfless service during her 70 years reign has been an inspiration and example to us all. Her strong Christian faith has underpinned her values: she believed that, “I haven’t chosen this office by myself. He has appointed me to it... Because He leads, I may follow in complete trust.”

By accepting her role, the Queen sacrificed her personal preferences and private life to adopt a life of duty and service, trusting in God to grant her wisdom and strength to carry out the solemn promises she made at her coronation. Her humility, constancy and steadfastness earned her the deep love, admiration and respect of the British people and millions worldwide.

The grief of the nation will be expressed in the outpouring of a myriad of emotions. How symbolic that there should have been a double rainbow arching over Buckingham Palace and Windsor yesterday afternoon. The rainbow has special meaning for different religions and cultures. For Christians, it is a symbol of God’s faithfulness and mercy. For others, it is a symbol of divine patience, the death of a great teacher, a symbol of hope. The rainbow holds a powerful meaning for each of us within the Ambulance Service – whatever our culture or faith. Its symbolism intuitively tells us to hold on to hope and believe that sacred blessings are open to us.

The Queen held the titles of Defender of the Faith and Supreme Governor of the Church of England. Below is the prayer issued by the Church of England yesterday for anyone wishing to use it:

Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth,

for her faith and her dedication to duty.

Bless our nation as we mourn her death and may her example continue to inspire us.

Through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen

We also pray for all members of the Royal Family in their personal grief and especially for our new monarch, King Charles 111, and for the new Queen Consort, as they start a new era and fulfill their roles. 

Friday 9th September 2022