Walk, street party and beacon lighting

Today I went for a Bank Holiday walk led by David De'ath into the hills around Runwell. We met at Runwell Park and a collection was made for the Brain Tumour Charity (The Sarah Kitchener Perrow Fund). In the afternoon my colleague Sue Wise and I enjoyed a Jubilee Street Party at Silvanna Court, a residential care home in Wickford.

Then, in the evening we were at the Lantern Parade and Beacon Lighting event organised by Wickford Town Council, Basildon Council and The Friends of Wickford Memorial Park in Wickford Memorial Park. Those involved were: David Monk – Deputy Lieutenant; Paul Brace – Director of Community and Environment, Basildon Council; Kelvin Blake – Deputy Leader, Basildon Council; Churches Together Wickford Choir led by Suzanne Ward (singing 'Rise Up and Serve'); Paul Morgan bugler from Thurrock Marching Brass (playing a bugle call entitled ‘Her Majesty’); Dick Camp piper (performing of Diu Regnare); Matty Turnball, the nominated person to light the Beacon; Derek Harrison, Chair of Wickford Town Council; and Kim Oakes, Chair of Friends of the Memorial Park.

I led the following prayer: 

Gracious God, we give you thanks for the reign of your servant Elizabeth our Queen, and for the example of loving and faithful service to God and to her people which she has shown among us. We pray God’s blessing on her that she may continue to fulfil the promises she made at her coronation with generosity and joy. May she ever be provided with all she may need for her ministry among us, strengthened to meet every demand which her office may make, and in all things nourished by your word and example. Help us to follow her example of dedication and to commit our lives to you and to one another, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Bless this beacon, and the more than 1,500 others being lit throughout the United Kingdom, Channel Islands, Isle of Man and UK Overseas Territories. May they form a chain of lights that become a symbol of unity across towns, borders, countries and continents. Amen.

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Commonwealth Choir & Friends - Rise Up And Serve.