A moment in history

My grandfather was on duty when Queen Elizabeth was crowned in 1952; he was on line duty in Cockspur Street, a road that runs from the south to north side of Trafalgar Square. If this year's route had been longer, and taken in Cockspur Street, I might have gone down and stood there, in memory of him.

He often told his grandchildren of that moment in history, one that was very special to him: of living in a 'tent city' in north London the week before, getting wet through on the day itself, see the young queen in the gold coach, and then not receiving his coronation medal afterwards, because his commanding officer kept it for himself!

Perhaps in years to come, we'll recall where we were on Coronation Day 2023, one that might be just as rainy as it was seventy years ago.

Yet, much seems to be different about the service this time round.  I read through the forty pages of the order of service when it was released over last weekend and was so impressed to see that early on in the Abbey a chorister from the Chapel Royal will welcome the King and Queen on behalf of all the children.  To which the King will respond, using the words of Jesus, that he comes not to be served but to serve.  A nice touch, I thought, and a wonderful example of how liturgy can evolve and embrace new times.

On Sunday, at AFC, we'll be commissioning new elders and they too are offering themselves in service.  They won't receive an orb and septre, but we will be praying for them,

asking God to strengthen them in this new role. And they'll be a slight tweak in the liturgy for that service too, as every AFC elder will be presented with an elder's badge, a new innovation from the AFC!

Amid all the pomp and splendour of Westminster Abbey our new Sovereign and Consort surely merit our prayers on Saturday.