Diamond Jubilee

In my nearly 25 years as a priest of the Church, I have done many different tasks, worshipped in a variety of ways, and joined in singing many different types of music.  But Sunday was a real first for me.  First time I prayed for the Queen of England.  First time I sang God Save the Queen.  First time I read a reminder for Sunday services that bore the instructions: "Ladies, please don your hats."  They did.  And I did.  (not don a hat, but I sang God Save the Queen and prayed for Her Majesty.  In this international and multi-cultural setting, particularly with a (relatively) large number of British worshipping with us, it made sense to acknowledge the extraordinary 60 years of the world's longest reigning monarch.  Especially since she is an Anglican lay woman who has been involved in the appointment of bishops, and been present to inaugurate  innumerable church-affiliated schools and hospitals over the years. 

Since it was a special Sunday, we had not only our usual cadre of acolytes, one of the faithful took the role of verger to lead the processeion in front of the crucifer.  He looked very dapper, and, for some reason, I thought, very British.  The choir sang the Coronation Anthem  from Handel's Oratorio Zadok the Priest. And they led the singing of the National Anthem of the United Kingdom (God Save the Queen). 

After church at coffee hour there was sparkling wine and cake filled with marzipan and frosted with (what else?) royal icing.  It was a very festive day, and not only our own members from the UK and the commonwealth were present, but also a few special guests from the diplomatic community, including the Jamaican Ambassador, and representatives from the British and the Australian embassies. 

Here is a member of the parish with Justin MacKenzie, a representative of the British Ambassador. 

And here is another parishioner with H.E. Delrose Montague, Ambassador from Jamaica. 

As it seems to be in England, the celebration goes on and on...The British Community here in Mexico City will be having several events to mark this momentous occasion.  There are at least two more this week.  Vivat Regina!