Members of Harrow Council and religious leaders gathered in St Mary’s Church, Harrow on the Hill today to pray for Her Majesty and pay their respects on the eve of her funeral.
The special Civic service, held today at 3pm, was to give thanks for the Queen’s life and to pray for her and the Royal Family at this difficult time.
The service was attended by Mayor of Harrow, Cllr Janet Mote, Mr Craig Haslam, Deputy Lieutenant for Greater London, Leader of Harrow Council, Cllr Paul Osborn along with other Councillors from both Labour and Conservative parties.
The service was opened by Reverend James Power who gave thanks and bid farewell to Queen Elizabeth II.
Scripture readings were delivered by The Mayor of Harrow and Mr Craig Halsham which included Lamentations 3:22-26, 31-33 and Revelation 21:1-7.
The church choir sang hymns including Our Help in Ages Past and Abide with Me, Fast Falls the Even Tide.
In the Sermon, Harrow Interfaith led by Chair Gopal Bhachu, paid tribute to the Queen reflecting on her visits to Harrow over the years. “Queen Elizabeth visited Harrow on some very particular occasions in the history of the borough. She was present in 1954, for Harrow’s Charter of Incorporation and she returned in 2004 for the for the 50th Anniversary of the same.
“In 2012 she made a Diamond Jubilee visit to Krishna Avanti School honouring the multi-faith demographic of our Borough. As members of Harrow Interfaith we recognise her commitment to supporting and celebrating people of all faith and we join together now to commend her to almighty god”, he said.
He praised the late Queen’s “courage that she showed in times of hardship, the depth and reality of her Christian faith and the good example that she set for us to follow.”
The service concluded with a prayer for King Charles III followed by the National Anthem.
A National Moment of Reflection will take place with a one-minute silence at 8pm this evening to mourn the passing of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and reflect on her life and legacy.
