As the period of national mourning came to a close, churches around the diocese gathered to have thanksgiving services for the life of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth, and to watch her funeral in community.
On Sunday 18 September, a special service of Thanksgiving was held at Salisbury Cathedral, when around 900 people came together to remember the Queen’s reign, give thanks for her life, and pray for King Charles III. Bishop Stephen Lake gave the sermon. Elsewhere in the diocese, Bishop Karen spoke at a service at Sherborne Abbey which gathered civic leaders from across Dorset to commemorate and give thanks for the life and witness of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.
A screening of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II's funeral was also held in Salisbury Cathedral the following day, bringing around 700 people together.
School children across the diocese were not together in their schools on the day of the funeral, due to it being announced as a bank holiday. However, they were encouraged across the period of national mourning to commemorate the life of Her Majesty in their own special ways. See below for some examples.
Special day in the Benefice with a special HC this morning and the school coming to church to say prayers and lay flowers. @DioSalisbury #QueenElizabeth pic.twitter.com/ZXOYCTszJx
— sparklyrev (@sparklyrev) September 14, 2022
Very proud of all our children at Bishops Cannings who have shown great maturity and respect this week for Queen Elizabeth II. Ollie, Ella and Lottie said a prayer and left flowers at Green park today on behalf of our school community. @DioSalisbury @EquaMat #QueenElizabethII pic.twitter.com/QZusho4gos
— Bishops Cannings (@CanningsBishops) September 15, 2022
There are many more pictures available from recent events in the diocese here.