Remembrance services for Queen Elizabeth II were held at two Bermondsey churches this evening (Friday, September 9).
The services at St James’ and St Anne’s churches took place at 7pm. Both services lasted for half an hour.
Gary Jenkins, the vicar of both churches, said they were services “of reflection and thanksgiving for the Queen’s life.”
St James’ Church opened for private prayer from 10am-midday on Friday, and St Anne’s was open from midday-1pm.
Gary shared a prayer on the church’s Facebook page: “Gracious God, we give thanks for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth, for her faith and for her dedication to duty.
“Bless our nation as we mourn her death, and may her example continue to inspire us; through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen.”
There were tributes from religious groups and faith institutions across the borough, including Southwark Cathedral.
Remembering Queen Elizabeth II’s visits to Southwark Cathedral
Old Kent Road Mosque also shared a message “to express our condolences at the passing away of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth”.
The mosque, which is part of the Muslim Association of Nigeria, added their commiserations to King Charles and the rest of the royal family, “the entire British community and the rest of the world on the passing of a great monarch and leader.”
The tribute ended with a quote from the Quran: “To Allah we belong and to him we shall return.”
Southwark pays tribute to Her Majesty The Queen – read our six pages of coverage