On 6 February this year, Her Majesty The Queen will became the first British Monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Churches are very much encouraged to be part of the festivities.
On this page we cover
The Jubilee weekend
Resources - Hope Together
Commemorative books
Thy Kingdom Come Jubilee resources
The Big Jubilee Lunch
Planting trees for the Jubilee
Liturgy and prayers
Share your events and stories
The Jubilee weekend
The year of celebration culminates in a four-day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June, which will provide an opportunity for communities and people throughout the United Kingdom to come together to celebrate this historic milestone.
- Full details about the national events and activities that are taking place throughout the year can be found on Royal Family UK
Televising the Platinum Jubilee Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul's,
A Service of Thanksgiving for The Queen’s reign will be held at St Paul’s Cathedral. The Service of Thanksgiving is expected to start around mid-morning on Friday 3 June, and will be broadcast live on the BBC.
The BBC coverage will begin a little ahead of time and cover arrivals and other interviews. Find out more about the BBC's coverage
Some churches and community groups may be keen to show or watch the service together.
Regarding TV Licences to watch the service, the BBC can grant a dispensation for the temporary use of TV equipment in a community setting if it is only used to view an event of national importance. A dispensation is being given to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee across the weekend from Thursday 2 June to Sunday 5 June 2022. Find out more about the dispensation to the BBC Licence fee
Resources - Hope Together
To help local churches mark this unique occasion, HOPE Together has worked in partnership with the Church of England, the Methodist Church, and a number of other faith organisations, to provide a number of ideas and resources.
Ideas and materials available include:
- Plan a party - Ideas and action-plans for a fun-packed community event have been developed in collaboration with the Methodist Church. Free downloadable ideas sheets are available below.
- Sing a new anthem - A new anthem ‘Rise Up and Serve’ has been commissioned by HOPE Together and partners, and written by song writers Graham Kendrick, Mal Pope and the contemporary worship band Rend Collective. DOwnloadable lyrics, sheet music, backing track and more are available
- Involve everyone of all ages in 70 acts of service - The Queen has served her country and Commonwealth for 70 years. To honour her, we are invited to join together in 70 Acts of Service during 2022. Download a collection of ideas to help you to get your village, town or city involved.
- Commemorative books - As part of their offering, Hope Together has created two commemorative books, ideal to be given away as conversation starters about faith and service, as exemplified by Her Majesty The Queen. See more in the section below or visit the Hope Together website.
- Help local schools, youth groups, uniformed organisations and toddler groups to celebrate - 'On Her Majesty’s Service’ is the theme of a set of Platinum Jubilee resources for 11-14s. Thy Kingdom Come are also developing resources for children
All the materials and resources are available on the Hope Together - Platinum Jubilee Faith and Service website
Commemorative books
As part of their offering, Hope Together have created two commemorative books, ideal to be given away as conversation starters about faith and service, as exemplified by Her Majesty The Queen:
Our Faithful Queen - Using rarely-seen prayers the Queen prayed as she prepared for the Coronation has been published in partnership with Biblica. This beautifully illustrated book is an ideal gift to help your community appreciate the Queen’s Christian faith. Individual and bulk orders are available. Find out more
The girl who grew up to be Queen - A Happylands Platinum Jubilee animation and book, published in partnership with The Entertainer and Hope for Every Home, is being made so the under fives in your community can be introduced to the Queen and her Christian faith. Individual and bulk orders are available. Find out more
Thy Kingdom Come Jubilee Resources
As the 4-day Bank Holiday ends at Pentecost, Thy Kingdom Come will also be providing a Cheeky Pandas film, song and book for primary school children – with resource packs for home/church/school and community events. Visit Thy Kingdom Come.
Key dates
6 February 2022 - On this day 70 years ago in 1952, King George VI died following a prolonged illness. Princess Elizabeth immediately acceded to the throne, becoming Queen Elizabeth II and taking on all of the responsibilities which came with her new title.
Thursday 2 to Sunday 5 June - The Platinum Jubilee Bank Holiday. It is also Pentecost Sunday and the end of Thy Kingdome come, and so the perfect opportunity to invite everyone to a special church service.
The Big Jubilee Lunch
Communities across the UK are being invited to get together for The Big Jubilee Lunch as part of the official celebrations for HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee.
A free street party pack is available from Eden Project Communities who are the official organisers of the Big Jubilee Lunch.
Planting trees for the Jubilee
The Queen's Green Canopy is one of the national initiatives planned for the Jubilee. It has already seen over 60,000 trees planted to benefit future generations. Every planting is being recorded on a digital Queen’s Green Canopy map which will be presented to Her Majesty at the end of the Jubilee year.
If, as a church, you are thinking of marking the Platinum Jubilee by planting a tree, don’t forget to consult your archdeacon first.
The planting of trees in a churchyard can be approved by the Archdeacon, and they will need to see details of the type of tree you want to plant, and a plan of the churchyard (or possibly a copy of an online satellite image) showing the church and churchyard marked up to show where the tree is to go. Photos are always helpful too.
When deciding to plant a tree in your churchyard, think about:
- The species: its mature height, span and root growth. Any new tree should be planted well away from the church, boundary wall and neighbours’ buildings, the highway and overhead or underground services and well away from existing trees. Avoid planting trees on or near existing graves.
- Planting native trees: they will be better suited to the area
- The changing climate: current knowledge suggests we are heading for a dryer climate with sudden heavy rainfall
- Flowering trees can be more appropriate for a garden, so use them sparingly in a churchyard.
After planting, the young tree will need protection and care to ensure healthy growth and so this care should be factored into your planting decisions.
Liturgy and prayers
Liturgical materials and prayers to help churches mark the Queen's Jubilee have now been made available from the Church of England.
Share your plans with us
We would love to know about any plans or events you may be organising as a church or parish to mark the Jubilee.
Perhaps you or someone in your congregation has a personal recollection of Her Majesty The Queen or her coronation? Please contact: communications@rochester.anglican.org by 20 May
- As more details and resources become to help churches prepare for the Jubilee, this page will be updated.