Bermondsey's loss is very much Belfast's gain. St Brigid's are going to get a great leader and preacher.
Sir Simon Hughes gave a speech about the Queen's reign, the story of the Jubilee Stone and the story of the Queen's visit for the Silver Jubilee, and that of Prince Edward for the Golden and Diamond Jubilee was recounted.
The Esperance band of Morris dancers then beautifully performed some traditional dances.
After that everyone joined in with the National Anthem, and then the eldest person present, a lady born in the same decade as the Queen, led us in three cheers for Her Majesty.
It was a great prelude to the wider jubilee celebrations that will occur in June.
Seventy years ago today, Her Majesty the Queen acceded to the throne
God bless our Queen
A Prayer from the Accession Service
(which we used in church today)
Almighty God, who rulest over all the kingdoms of the world, and dost order them according to thy good pleasure: We yield thee unfeigned thanks, for that thou wast pleased, as on this day, to set thy Servant our Sovereign Lady, Queen ELIZABETH, upon the Throne of this Realm. Let thy wisdom be her guide, and let thine arm strengthen her; let truth and justice, holiness and righteousness, peace and charity, abound in her days; direct all her counsels and endeavours to thy glory, and the welfare of her subjects; give us grace to obey her cheerfully for conscience sake, and let her always possess the hearts of her people; let her reign be long and prosperous, and crown her with everlasting life in the world to come; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Sunday is the seventieth anniversary of the Queen's accession to the throne. Today's Bermondsey Weekly Message reflects upon that milestone:
