Service of commemoration held at Newark Parish Church marking the death of Queen Elizabeth II
A special service of commemoration for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was held at Newark Parish Church of St. Mary Magdalene this morning.
The service also served as a ceremony for proclaiming the new King, Charles III, ahead of other ceremonies taking place across the town today.
Upon entering the Parish Church, a sound-scape of soft choral music greeted a steady stream of people dressed in black.
The formula remained the same, someone would take a pew, bow their head, clasp their hands and say a prayer. A few chose to kneel before an image of the Queen in quiet tribute.
As the time approached the start of the service, the choir was replaced by mellowed organ music, playing Rhosymedre by Vaughan Williams.
Rev. Chris Lion took the service, welcoming the dozens of people that had turned out to fill the Church and pay respects.
He spoke fondly of the Queen and the concept of hope, describing her as a constant beacon of hope for the nation in dark times, over her long reign.
"Her calmness, wisdom and strength encouraged all of us. Ultimately Queen Elizabeth was able to bring us hope because she herself was filled with hope.
"I believe her life was built around two hopes. The hope of fulfilling a vow of service to the people and a hope of eternal life through her devotion to god.
"In 1947 on her 21st birthday, she made a broadcast saying these words, 'I declare before you all that my whole life whether it be long or short shall be devoted to your service'.
"The driving hope of our late Queen's life was the hope that at the end of her life she would be able to look back and see that she had made good on that oath.
"She did that, spectacularly."
Clearly wishing to lift the spirit of attendees, the Reverend chose to end his sermon with a quote, saying: "As our dearly departed Queen said in her own words, grief is the price we pay for love."
There were also readings from the book of Revelations by former mayor of Newark, Tony Roberts and the Lord's Prayer, read by Marylin Blakeman.
The service programme also included readings from John and Romans as well as the hymns: Lord, for the Years; All My Hope on God is Founded and Our God, Our Help in Ages Past.
The choir also sang Psalm 23, The Lord is my Shepard and My soul, there is a country far beyond the stars.
The Church then stood for the commendation of the Queen:
"Into your hands, O Father and Lord, we commend your servant, our late sovereign Lady Queen Elizabeth. Enlighten her with your holy grace and suffer her never to be seperated from you, O Lord of Trinity, God everlasting.
"May God in his mercy grant us, with all the faithful departed, rest and peace. Amen."
The service concluded with a prayer of blessing, said for King Charles III, followed by the newly worded national anthem.
People steadied themselves to sing 'God save the King' with full voice and as the congregation began to file out of their pews, a sense of finality washed over them and many began to cry, comforted by those around them.
The Church invites all to sign the book of condolence and to light a candle in memory of the Queen.
Floral tributes are also welcome to be placed at the war memorial, to the east of the Church.
