Dear Friends,
The Platinum Jubilee Celebrations were a terrific occasion and the outpouring of love to HM Queen Elizabeth was very moving. She was clearly looking frailer and using a walking stick, and it was sad that she was unable to attend the service of thanksgiving in St. Paul’s Cathedral; however, it appears that she was part of the livestream congregation and my friend, the Archbishop of York, teased her about horse-racing tips! On the Saturday, there was an amazing concert held outside Buckingham palace, the palace itself becoming the backdrop for a myriad of famous names who performed to the millions gathered in-person and on-line. One of the delicious surprises was the appearance of the Queen in a little video short. Everyone remembers fondly her tongue-in-cheek appearance at the opening of the London 2012 Olympic games, in which she and Daniel Craig (playing 007) acted out a little James Bond skit. This time, she appeared with none other than Paddington Bear! You can watch this a delightful and endearing little vignette and read a sermon I delivered at Her Majesty’s Chapel Royal, St. James’s Palace, London at a special Evensong to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee Sunday, June 5, 2022.
On the Sunday, there was a ‘Peoples’ Pageant’ through the streets of London representing the diversity of the Commonwealth of Nations, and people all over the Commonwealth held street parties – something my late parents remembered from the end of the Second World War – a bringing together of communities and people regardless of political affiliation or particular opinions. It was truly a sign of national unity after two awful years of Pandemic and I was privileged to have been a part of it. That morning, I attended the Chapel Royal at St. James’s Palace where the small choir (only nine boys!) sang in their choir stalls for the first time since March 2020. And sing they did! A double choir mass by Rheinberger – astonishing.
The special evensong to commemorate the Platinum Jubilee was beautifully sung – Gibbons and Byrd – appropriate since their names are on the painted board outside the chapel. As I sat under Holbein’s amazing painted ceiling, commissioned by Henry VIII, I realized the bonds of affection between our respective countries and how music transcends difference and binds us together in love.
My sermon was an exploration of the word ‘glory’ in the scriptures and how to share in the glory of God is to live a life of devoted service to Jesus Christ. The Queen has been an exemplar of the concept of service, and instilled in so many of us the need to give of our time, our talent, and our treasure to build community. In her Christmas speech of 2016, the Queen reflected on how athletes can be an inspiration to others “Inspiration fed their aspiration,” she said. But, as we have come to expect, The Queen also saw inspiration in less dramatic areas of service and dedication. She said,
To be inspirational, you don’t have to save lives or win medals. I often draw strength from meeting ordinary people doing extraordinary things – volunteers, carers, community organizers and good neighbors – unsung heroes whose quiet dedication makes them special.
We, too, can draw inspiration from our friends and neighbors, and our fellow Saint Thomas parishioners. If you would like to read my sermon, you can find it here. While I was in London, I was able to speak with Westminster Abbey and the Royal Household about our Bicentennial Celebrations. I am very pleased to tell you that the Choir of the Chapel Royal intend to visit us in New York in the fall of 2023 and hope to reciprocate that welcome to us in 2024. I was also able to meet with James O’Donnell, the Organist of Westminster Abbey, who is leaving to take up a position as professor of organ and sacred music at Yale – it will be good to have him as a neighbor.
Finally, we will bid a fond farewell to our Grade 8 boys this weekend. I do hope that many of you will come to mass or join us on-line on Sunday at 11am to give them a good send-off. It was very moving to see all of them confirmed by the Bishop a couple of weeks ago. This is another rite of passage for them; they came as young boys and they leave us as fine young men, nurtured by this extraordinary choral community of school and church. They are part of something much bigger than Saint Thomas Church – they are part of a tradition stretching back over 1000 years in Europe. Perhaps, as the Queen suggests, their inspiration will feed the aspiration of others as they tell the story of their time with us in New York.
Every blessing,
Carl
Your priest and pastor
