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Guernsey's faith communities and their leaders are uniting to reflect on the life and mark the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
There was a short service of reflection at St. Andrew's Church at 10:00 this morning. At 12:00, the bells began ringing at the Town Church.
The leaders of the island's Christian churches issued a joint statement shortly before midnight following the announcement at 18:30 of The Queen's death earlier yesterday afternoon.
The Dean of Guernsey, The Very Reverend Tim Barker, pictured top, and the leaders of the Elim, Spurgeon, Catholic and Methodist Churches said Her Majesty had provided 70 years of leadership "with grace and a deep commitment to service".
A day of deep sorrow as we mourn Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. I give thanks for her Christian faith and quiet witness, and for a remarkable life of service to her people in the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies and the Commonwealth. pic.twitter.com/ICIdIp7xgk
— Tim Barker (@TimBarker10) September 8, 2022
"On her 21st birthday, the then Princess Elizabeth said: ‘I declare before you all that my whole life, whether it be long or short, shall be devoted to your service'," said the church leaders.
"In the past 75 years, much has changed. But for most of the people of the United Kingdom, the Crown Dependencies, the Commonwealth and many others across the world, Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has been one of the constants over those years.
"She has led us through the changes, the joys and the turbulence of the last 70 years with grace and a deep commitment to service.
"Queen Elizabeth was deeply interested in the Crown Dependencies. She visited Alderney, Guernsey and Sark on many occasions, her last visit to Guernsey being in 2005 on the 60th anniversary of Liberation Day."
Pictured: The Queen meeting the public while in Guernsey. Credit: Chris George.
"At the heart of her life, and what inspired and sustained Queen Elizabeth, was her Christian faith. We saw this most clearly in her Christmas Day addresses.
"Much will be said in the coming days. One of the memories of Queen Elizabeth that we will retain was her Platinum Jubilee message, which she signed, 'Your servant, Elizabeth R.'
"At her Coronation in 1953, The Queen was anointed with holy oil for a life of service. She has fulfilled that commitment in an exemplary way.
"We thank God for her, and pray for the Royal Family, this Bailiwick of Guernsey, and the nations of the Commonwealth."
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