laudable Practice

With the festivities of the Platinum Jubilee now past, it might be an appropriate time for Anglicans in this realm and the dominions to reflect on what we might learn from the celebrations. For Anglicans elsewhere, ministering in the context of different constitutional arrangements, there might also be some value to this: not, obviously, as a commendation of monarchy but, rather, in terms of considering how contemporary Anglicanism might renew its historic understanding of constitutional order as gift to be received with solemn thanksgiving.   Three aspects of Anglican celebration of the Platinum Jubilee are particularly worth reflecting upon, not least in how they are suggestive of a wider vision of theological renewal for Anglicanism. Firstly, the anthem written by composer Judith Weir for the National Service of Thanksgiving to Celebrate her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee - 'By Wisdom' - should receive theological attention.  Weir has said of her composition: Amongst many...

Pentecostal Jubilee: the presence and gifts of the Spirit At Early Communion on Whitsunday 2022, during the Platinum Jubilee  Acts 2:11 Seventy years ago, Queen Elizabeth II came to the throne.  As part of the ancient coronation rite in Westminster Abbey, the new monarch was anointed by the Archbishop of Canterbury. These words were prayed at the anointing: “Confirm and stablish her with thy free and princely Spirit, the Spirit of wisdom and government, the Spirit of counsel and ghostly strength, the Spirit of knowledge and true godliness”.  The act of anointing, echoing the anointing of prophets, priests, and kings in the Scriptures of Israel, is a sign and symbol of the gift of the Holy Spirit strengthening, guiding, and sustaining a person for Christian life and witness. It is the case, of course, that the anointing of a monarch in Westminster Abbey is a dramatic occasion.  But the subsequent evidence of the presence and gifts of the Holy Spirit in a life is rarel...

It was, of course, entirely predictable: some Anglican clerics on Twitter sniffily declaring that Sunday is Whitsun and that this must take precedence over the celebration of Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee.  Now while we might be forgiven for thinking that such clerics would not have been celebrating the Jubilee irrespective of its date, let us assume that their point is sincere.  Whitsun, after all, is one of the three great festivals.  For some centuries, Anglican custom was that Holy Communion should be received at Christmas, Easter Day, and Whitsunday. And despite the rather odd provision in contemporary liturgical calendars which fails to recognise the feast by observing the festive nature of the days following, it is meet and right that this high festival is duly celebrated. None of this, however, requires that the Platinum Jubilee cannot also be celebrated in the Church's liturgy.  An Anglicanism which cannot weave together Whitsun and the Jubilee is an Anglic...

As in the United Kingdom and across the Commonwealth we celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen, words from an 1809 sermon by Edward Nares - a representative of the Orthodox party (i.e. the Old High mainstream of the pre-1833 Church of England) - to mark the Golden Jubilee of George III. Noting how the British Crown was limited by law and constitution, Nares rejoiced in the religious example and influence of George III.  This is an aspect of the reign of the Elizabeth II that should be given much more serious consideration by Anglicans: But I have reserved for the last, that trait of his character, which must still give the greatest lustre to his names and will forever shine as the brightest jewel of his crown, I mean, his constant and exemplary discharge of RELIGIOUS duties. I say exemplary, because in this consists the great worth of his character. I must maintain that a King of this country is so limited and restrained by the laws of the Empire, and so impeded ...