Dear Friends,   Welcome to the May edition of our benefice magazine which again covers lots of news and activities across our four churches. It is good to report that we are now currently advertising for a new associate priest to join the benefice. If all goes to plan we shall be interviewing prospective candidates on Monday June 5th and any news of an appointment will be shared after this.  Please continue to pray for all involved in the interview process and for any prospective candidates.  Whilst writing can I say a very big thank you to various people from across the benefice who have worked together extremely well with Peter Townley our archdeacon to produce a very professional brochure and advert.

Turning now to the Coronation when on Saturday 6th May His Majesty King Charles III is crowned.  The Coronation will be a historic moment in the life of our nation, a time to reflect on our history, reflect and celebrate something of who we are, and look forward.  The coronation is steeped in this country’s traditions and filled with great symbolism. It is essentially a consecration to service.  Happening within a Eucharist, the most basic and the central act of Christian worship, it includes oaths, regalia and crowning. Through it we receive from Jesus the one who comes to us as a servant; the one who is the king of Kings. 

There will be additions to the service from the one in 1953 and these will reflect the rich cultural and religious diversity of our national life. For instance faiths other than Christian will play a part which reflect the King’s commitment to respecting all faiths.  Also we shall all be encouraged to cry out and swear allegiance to the King and female clergy will play an active part. Justin Welby said the coronation was ‘first and foremost an act of Christian worship’ and that his ‘prayer is that all who share in this service, whether they are of faith or no faith, will find ancient wisdom and new hope that brings inspiration and joy”.

So dear friends, however you choose to mark the Coronation weekend, I hope this will be a time celebrating God’s love and generosity, and making that love known in our communities and national life I leave you with a prayer that will be used at church services throughout the land….

Almighty God, the fountain of all goodness, bless our Sovereign Lord, King Charles, and all who are in authority under him; that they may order all things in wisdom and equity, righteousness and peace, to the honour of your name, and the good of your Church and people; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Rev Glenn Coggins, Vicar of the United Benefice of North Wakefield