President attends Service of Reflection at Belfast Cathedral
As part of King Charles III’s first visit to Northern Ireland as monarch today, a service of reflection for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II has taken place at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast.
After their arrival at the Cathedral, the Bishop of Connor, the Rt Rev George Davison, led His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen Consort up the steps of the Cathedral to meet with a number of Faith Leaders as well as Church Leaders including Rev David Nixon, President of the Methodist Church in Ireland.
Other Irish Methodist representatives in attendance at the service included the ex-President, the Rev Dr Sahr Yambasu and, as the Lay leader is out of the country on Church business, the ex-Lay Leader, Ms Hazel Loney.
As part of the Act of Commemoration, a candle was lit by the Rev Ruth Patterson, minister of the Church of the Good Shepherd in Monkstown and Methodist Ecumenical Canon of the Cathedral Chapter. This was followed by a time of silence as the life and reign of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II was recalled in thanksgiving.
Prayers were led by Church leaders, The Rt Revd Andrew Forster (President of the Irish Council of Churches), The Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland, The Most Revd Eamon Martin (Roman Catholic), and The Rt Rev Dr John Kirkpatrick (Moderator of the General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland) and at the end of the service they joined together in a Blessing.
The President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev David Nixon led the following prayer:
Lord God, whose power is infinite and love everlasting, grant to your servant Charles your merciful goodness; bless and comfort him in his sorrow; daily restore him in strength to meet the demands of his high calling; fulfil in him your providential will and may the indwelling Spirit of your son, Jesus Christ, bring him peace of heart and courage to declare and do what is right. To his family, in your great compassion, shed your heavenly succour and may they all know your presence daily, as they turn their hearts to you and to your Son, who for us all is the Bread of Life and the gateway to heaven, and in whose name we pray. Amen.
Following the service, the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, said:
"It was my privilege to convey the sympathy of the Methodist people in Ireland to His Majesty The King today at the service of reflection for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. He asked me to convey his heartfelt thanks in return. What an honour it was to pray for him as he takes up his duties and responsibilities as the King."
St. Annes Cathedral, Belfast
The King and Queen Consort at a service of reflection today at St. Anne’s Cathedral in Belfast. – (PA Media/BBC)
The President prays for the new King. (Sky News)