Bishop of Oxford leads tributes from Diocese churches

THE BISHOP of Oxford said the Queen has been a cherished presence, a rock for the nation, and gave devoted service during her reign.

Her Majesty died on Thursday, September 8, in Balmoral, a place that she loved.

She was 96.

The Rt Revd Dr Steven Croft led tributes from churches across the Diocese, which includes Reading and Wokingham borough.

He said: “Her Majesty the Queen has been a cherished presence in all of our lives and for the whole of our lives. She has been our example and a rock for the nation and commonwealth.

“Her devoted service has given stability to the nation throughout this Elizabethan age. Her deep, personal Christian faith has been an inspiration to many, including me.

“The whole nation will be united in mourning for our beloved Queen in the coming days.

“We will need time to grieve and to share our grief with others.

“We pray at this time for the Queen’s family and especially for Charles as he prepares to become King.

“This will be a season for deep reflection in the life of our nation as we look back in thanksgiving and forward in hope.”

He added: “This United Kingdom has deep foundations in Christian faith.

“A key part of our faith is the distinctive hope of resurrection from the dead: that our life in Christ endures beyond death and for eternity.

“As we grieve and pray, we also look forward together in hope to that new and eternal life with God.

“We have prayed through all of our lives: God save the Queen.

“We now entrust Her Majesty to her Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ and commit ourselves afresh to his service and to God’s eternal kingdom.”