The Vicar's Letter (written by Reverend Joy Cousans, Vicar of St Mary's Church in Eaton Bray) has been appearing in the villages Focus magazine since June 2017
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Vicar's Letter

October 2022

Reverend Joy Cousans, vicar of the Church of St Mary The Virgin, Eaton Bray with Edlesborough.

A few months ago, the nations of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland came together to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Her Majesty the Queen.

Following her Majesty's death on 8th September, the nations have come together again to mourn the passing of a great Queen, and to pledge support to our new King Charles III. On her 21st Birthday, Princess Elizabeth, as she then was, gave a radio broadcast in which she dedicated her life to the service of her people. She promised: 'I declare before you that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service and the service of our great imperial family to which we all belong.' She never wavered from that sense of dedicated service, in good times and in bad, as the world changed immeasurably around her. In 1947 at the age of 21 she married Prince Philip, whom she described as 'my strength and my stay.'

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, summed up the thoughts of many: 'As we grieve together we know that, in losing our beloved Queen, we have lost the person whose steadfast loyalty, service and humility has helped us make sense of who we are through decades of extraordinary change in our world, nation and society. As our grief runs deep, even deeper is our gratitude for Her Late Majesty's extraordinary dedication to the United Kingdom, her Realms and the Commonwealth. Through times of war and hardship, through seasons of upheaval and change, and through moments of joy and celebration, we have been sustained by Her Late Majesty's faith in what and who we are called to be.'

Many of you will have seen the Queen in person. I saw her at a service in York Minster and it is something that I will always remember. Recalling their memories of the Queen, people talk of her warmth and kindness, of her lack of self-importance and her ability to put others at their ease. Her knowledge of the world and its leaders was unsurpassed and her wisdom was invaluable to her Prime Ministers and members of parliament. The late Queen was a constant, calm and steady leader devoted to her people in the United Kingdom, her realms and throughout the Commonwealth.

She also had a wonderful smile and a lively sense of humour. Who can forget her meeting with James Bond at the opening ceremony of the 2012 Olympics in London? Or taking tea with Paddington Bear as part of her Platinum Jubilee celebrations only a few months ago? I always wondered what she kept in her handbag. And then I found out. It was an emergency marmalade sandwich!

At the heart of the late Queen's sense of calling was her Christian faith which she often spoke of. In her 2014 Christmas broadcast she said: 'For me, the life of Jesus Christ, the Prince of Peace... is an inspiration and an anchor in my life. A role model of reconciliation and forgiveness, he stretched out his hands in love, acceptance and healing. Christ's example has taught me to seek and respect and value all people of whatever faith and none.'

As we mourn her passing, we commit her to God's mercy and protection. May she rest in peace and rise in glory.

Rev'd Joy Cousans, Vicar of Eaton Bray with Edlesborough

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About the Vicar's Letter

The Vicar's Letter has been appearing in the villages Focus magazine since August 2002.

The Rev. Peter Graham also used to publish The Vicar's Letter in the parish magazine of 1964. Please see the area for these.