It is with great sadness that we all heard, yesterday, of the death of His Royal Highness, Prince Philip. His was a life of dedicated service to Her Majesty the Queen and to the country and Commonwealth.
In line with national guidelines there will no physical books of condolence. Instead, you are invited to sign online condolence ‘books’ . This is because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
You can find the Church of England Condolence book here and the Royal condolence book here.
St. Oswald’s church will be open for private prayer and the lighting of candles this evening (10th April) from 6 p.m. to 7 p.m. and after the morning service on 11th April until 12 noon. The morning service begins at 10 a.m. and there will be prayers for His Royal Highness and for the royal family. Again due to the current pandemic, this service will be short – around 40 minutes. There will be further openings throughout the week – they will be advertised on this page.
In this moment of sorrow the Lord is in our midst
and consoles us with his word:
No eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the human heart conceived,
what God has prepared for those who love him.
Blessed are the sorrowful; they shall be comforted.
Into your hands, O Lord,
we humbly entrust our brother Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.
In this life you embraced him with your tender love,
and opened to him the gate of heaven.
The old order has passed away,
as you welcome him into paradise,
where there will be no sorrow, no weeping nor pain,
but the fullness of peace and joy
with your Son and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever. Amen.
Remember, O Lord,
your servant Philip,
who has gone before us with the sign of faith
and now rests in the sleep of peace.
According to your promises,
grant to him and to all who rest in Christ,
refreshment, light and peace;
through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Most merciful God,
whose wisdom is beyond our understanding,
surround the Queen and the Royal Family with your love,
that they may not be overwhelmed by their loss,
but have confidence in your goodness,
and strength to meet the days to come.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.