Hertingfordbury Parish News: June 2002
Clergy Letter
Dear Friends, I know this is the 50th Anniversary of our Queen's Accession to the throne, but clergy are usually (mentally) one season ahead. I however want to leap back 49 years and ask you: "How did you celebrate the Coronation in 1953?" In our house, we had only had electricity for one year and we were one of three houses in our neighbourhood that had a television set - a 12-inch screen, black and white Bush model. Those of you who remember the day will recall that it poured with rain, and do you remember the larger than life figure of Queen Salote of Tonga with a huge smile enjoying the rain in her open carriage? Our tiny parlour was crowded with neighbours who had brought sandwiches and home made cakes, lemonade for the women and children and jugs of beer for the men. We stood for the National Anthem - gazed in awe and wonder as the crown was placed on the head of the young woman, a crown that carried so much weight and responsibility. Someone called for three cheers as the Peers placed their coronets on their heads and declared "God Save the Queen". On the Saturday following the coronation we had a street party, a huge crown adorned the junction where four streets met; bunting and flags flew from every window. I spent part of the day dressed in a cardboard box designed as a TV set; such was their novelty value. 1 won 2nd prize in a fancy dress competition, 1st prize went to a tiny look-alike Queen & Duke of Edinburgh. It was all so exciting and memorable especially following on the heels of the austerity of WWII A new era had begun; there was a brighter vision for the future and hope for our nation rising from the ashes. "The King is dead, long live the Queen". Now go back even further in the pages of history to the arrival of another King, 2000 years ago, born in a stable, greeted by shepherds and wise men, threatened by another King (Herod). He lived a simple life with his family and learned at the feet of the priests in the temple, quietly accepted his responsibilities, left home and travelled, preaching, teaching, healing, was arrested, tried and crucified. Despair and disbelief descend and then the realisation of the Resurrection, the wind and fire of Pentecost, the gift of the spirit - the Holy Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is sad but inevitable that some time in the future they cry will ring out The Queen is dead, long live the King - and there will be sadness and celebration in order. For that other King the cry is The King is dead, his Spirit lives FOREVER the celebration is ongoing the remembrance in breaking of bread and drinking water and wine. I love my Sovereign, I worship my King of Glory. Come and share the celebration in your parish church, a warm welcome awaits you there. With love and blessings, Rev'd RosemaryPlease note: Although the Hertingfordbury Parish News is produced by St. Mary's PCC, the opinions expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the PCC.