| Historic Speeches: The Dean of Windsor's Tribute to The Queen At 80 (23rd April 2006) |
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| Written by Joanne Leyland | |
| Sunday, 07 May 2006 | |
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Location: St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle Event: A Thanksgiving Service In Honour of Queen Elizabeth The Second's 80th Birthday The sermon given by the Dean of Windsor, the Right Reverend David Conner, at the St. George's Chapel, Windsor, thanksgiving service celebrating the life and devotion to duty of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II: "We've come together in St. George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, on St. George's Day, the day on which we especially remember one of our nation's patron saints. His story is, of course, the story of a man who struggled with great courage to champion the good. And like so many archetypal stories of that ilk, seems often to awaken the imagination, befelt as challenge and as inspiration." Whether or not we give our allegiance to any recognisable religion, it does seem to be the case that deep within us there stirs an impulse — a spiritual impulse, some would say — to champion the good, to rise above crude selfishness, to lose ourselves in love of neighbour and thereby discover true humanity. On this particular St. George's Day, in St. George's Chapel, family and friends and neighbours have gathered to join in thanksgiving for the birthday of our Queen. As we do so, I have a hunch that every one of us will be expressing gratitude for some kind of encouragement received, as we have tried in our ordinary lives to be decent and to care. Your Majesty, not so much through word as by unselfconscious good example, you encourage us, you give us heart. That encouragement comes to us, of course, in different ways. Certainly it's given through the example of service, freely offered, of endurance, discipline, steadfastness, and stamina, in meeting the demands of duty. And of a sort of modesty which, I think, would always rather that somebody else were centre of attention. In an age when we are maybe tempted to worry too much about ourselves, you help us understand that happiness, fulfillment and humanity can be gleaned from self forgetfulness. And in a world where we often feel confused, and buffeted, by so many changes — some of which seem to be only for the sake of change itself — your provision of a sense of continuity, through your office, and perhaps much more important, Ma'am, your conveying of a sense of calmness, serenity and stillness through your person help us to understand that real human beings need to be deeply rooted if they are to flourish. This too is encouragement to us, as we respond to that impulse to try to do and be our best. Then, of course, there is your sense of family, not only seen in your abiding loyalty to, and love for, those that are closest to you, but seen also in that enthusiasm to embrace as one family the diversity of people in this nation and in the Commonwealth. When the danger sometimes seems that we shall all go our separate ways, you have given us the heart to believe that, for all our differences and faults and failings, as human beings in so many ways and at so many levels, we belong together, we need each other. I spoke at the beginning of a spiritual impulse deep within us, a desire perhaps to live life in the light of love. It seems to have been the very life pulse of that genuinely human person, Jesus Christ. His resurrection, which we celebrate at Easter tide, is a promise that it will never be extinguished and that in the end, and in all things, love will triumph. In our ordinary lives, our small attempts to make the world a kinder place for all to live in have deep significance, are part of a greater pattern. Your Majesty, this Christian faith which can inspire in us confidence and hope is the very bedrock of your life. This belief that we are in the safe hands of the God of love is the world from which each day you draw the strength to give us heart. For that we praise Almighty God, give you heartfelt thanks and much affection, and promise you our prayers through all the years ahead. Comment on this article
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