On the death of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II

The United Reformed Church shares in the grief of the nations following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II.

Following the death of her father King George, Her Majesty succeeded the throne on 6 February 1952, but was officially crowned in 1953. Queen Elizabeth was the world’s longest-reigning living monarch and was a much-loved and popular royal figure.

Many United Reformed churches (URCs) will be open for times of prayer and reflection over the coming days.

The General Assembly of the URC, the church’s governing body, sends a loyal address to the Queen each time it meets. At the 2022 General Assembly, the Assembly wrote to the Queen noting that in this year both Her Majesty and the URC are marking a jubilee.

The Assembly thanked Her Majesty for her “steadfast and faithful service” over the seven decades of her reign.

Praising her example of “duty, integrity and public service”, the Assembly placed on record its appreciation of Her Majesty’s public witness to her Christian faith and the way in which she has sought to live her life as a servant of Christ.

The Revd Dr John Bradbury, URC General Secretary, said: “Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II lived the most remarkable life of dedicated Christian service.

“As a devout Anglican and Presbyterian her faith shone from her words and deeds. Her contribution to the life of our nations, the commonwealth, and beyond will be remembered with gratitude for generations to come. She inspired respect from across the political spectrum and from monarchists and republicans alike.

“The United Reformed Church has always been aware that as each General Assembly presents a loyal address to the throne, we have been addressing a fellow baptised sister in Christ. We give thanks for her life and uphold in prayer all who mourn for her. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.”

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