Churches will host services this weekend to give thanks for the life and Christian faith of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Worshippers will pray for the new King, the Royal Family and our nation at this time of national mourning, during their regular Sunday services throughout south-east Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.
Most churches are also remaining open each day between now and Monday, for people to sign books of condolence, pray and reflect, or light a candle in memory of our former Sovereign.
Civic services
And special civic services will take place in Portsmouth, Havant, Fareham, Gosport, Petersfield and Newport, which will be attended by Lord Lieutenants or Deputy Lord Lieutenants, MPs, Mayors, civic and community leaders. They’ll happen on Sunday afternoon and evening, the day before the State Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II.
Service at Newport Minster
A service of thanksgiving for the life of HM Queen Elizabeth will also take place at 6pm on 18th September in Newport Minster on the Isle of Wight.
It will be led by the acting Archdeacon of the Isle of Wight, the Rev Allie Kerr.
Dignitaries from across the Isle of Wight will attend, give thanks for her life and faith, pray for the Royal Family and nation, and sing the new version of the National Anthem.
Portsmouth Cathedral
Portsmouth Cathedral will hold its Service of Commemoration and Thanksgiving for the Life of Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II at 3pm on Sunday 18 September. It will be a chance for people of the city and diocese to come together and express their affection and gratitude for our late Sovereign.
The service will be led by the Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Rev Anthony Cane. The Bishop of Portsmouth, the Rt Rev Jonathan Frost, will preach. Portsmouth Cathedral Choir will sing music drawn from across the nations of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth. The music will include Andrew Lloyd-Webber’s Pie Jesu, as well as We wait for thy loving kindness, O Lord by William McKie, which was sung at the Queen’s wedding 75 years ago.
The service will be followed by Choral Evensong at 5.45pm and then a Vigil on the eve of the State Funeral, which will incorporate the national one-minute silence at 8pm.
HM Queen Elizabeth II last visited the cathedral in 1998 for the Royal Maundy service, and the cathedral continues to open from 8am-7pm during the period of National Mourning.
Cane: Approaching 1,000 entries in our books of condolence
The Dean of Portsmouth, the Very Rev Anthony Cane, said,
“Since last week’s sad announcement, the cathedral has welcomed a continuous stream of people from all walks of life wanting to pay their respects to our late Sovereign. We are approaching 1,000 entries in our books of condolence, and many people have also lit a candle, joined in with prayers on the hour, attended one of our services, and appreciated the chance to speak to one of our welcomers or ministry team.
“Sunday’s service will give the people of Portsmouth and the wider diocese a final opportunity to pay their respects to HM Queen Elizabeth II, and all are very welcome to attend this poignant service, as well as the Choral Evensong and Vigil later that day, which will incorporate a national moment of reflection on the eve of Her Late Majesty’s funeral.”
The cathedral service at 3pm will be livestreamed on the cathedral’s Youtube channel and Facebook page.
News shared by Neil on behalf of the Portsmouth Diocese. Ed
