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This is a sad time for us as a nation. It is important that we as a church express our solidarity with members of our local community, as we mourn the death of the Queen together. This email give details of our planned response. Church Building We are blessed with a beautiful church building which can provide a quiet, peaceful place for people to come and express their grief. From tomorrow we will be extending the hours that the church is open for people to drop in, from 8.00am to 10.00pm. We will continue this as long as seems appropriate, potentially until the the day of the Queen’s funeral (r at 6.00pm. The service will not last for more than an hour. It will emphasize thanksgiving for the life of the Queen, and our heavenly hope in Christ. National TimetableMonday 19th September) if demand does not subside. The church now includes in the chancel area:
Memorial Service The Blackburn Diocese has encouraged us to consider running a Memorial Service to honour the life of the Queen. This will be on Thursday 15th September at 6.00pm. The service will not last for more than an hour. It will emphasize thanksgiving for the life of the Queen, and our heavenly hope in Christ. National and local media are already publishing details of the timetable for the period of state mourning, along with the events relating to the accession of Prince Charles to the throne. Based on Diocesan communications, my understanding of the timetable will be available on our website. https://bolton-le-sands.org.uk/timetable-of-national-mourning/ We will do our best to follow the guidance regarding the church flag and bells. The Union Jack is already being flown half-mast. Giving thanks Personally speaking I feel we have had a superb monarch in Queen Elizabeth II, and am grateful that she has held the throne for much of my lifetime. I am sure you will want to join with me in expressing our gratitude to God for Queen Elizabeth, as well as our love and prayers for all her grieve her loss. With love in Christ, Peter |
