This is a historic moment in the life of our nation and an opportunity to bring communities together. Building on common themes of community, faith and service, it will be a celebratory moment, and a chance to share an invitational message about the Christian faith and show the church as a dynamic Christian presence at the heart of community life in 21st Century Britain.
Bishop Martin spoke on the BBC Radio Suffolk show on 23 April, about the Coronation. He said: "I was struck yesterday whilst attending a wedding, and realised that weddings catch us up into a sense of hope and looking forward, and the coronation in a global way has that same dynamic to it. Whilst it is rooted in the most extraordinary traditions, it is about looking forward and the hope that we have for our nation and for the world. It is an event that will capture the hearts and imaginations of people across the world, as well as within this country."
| Sunday 9 April – Saturday 6 May - 28 days of prayer |
As the King and Queen Consort prepare to solemnise the promises and commitments they make to the nations and people they represent, the Church will begin 28 days of prayer and spiritual preparation alongside the King – praying with and for the King from Easter Sunday to the Coronation. This is an opportunity for us all to:
The final week will call for a national week of prayer to uphold and strengthen His Majesty The King and all the Royal Family. |
| Friday 5 May - Vigil services |
A range of resources for prayer and worship will be available for download from the Church of England website here. The order of service for the Coronation will be shared with the public in advance of the Coronation weekend. These materials will be offered without copyright to be used in whole or in part and will also be made available to Ecumenical partners and other faiths, for adaptation and use in their own tradition, should they wish Resources for holding Vigil Service for the day or evening before the Coronation will be available. |
 |
A Book of Daily Prayers is available now. The booklet is available individually (£1.50), 10-Packs (£1.25 per copy) and 50-Packs (£1 per copy) and you can order your copies here. Digital versions will also be available via the Church of England's website and social media channels. Sign up to the free daily Coronation reflection emails, straight to your inbox from Easter Day (9 April) to Coronation Day (6 May). Sign up here |
|
Saturday 6 May – The Coronation
|
The Coronation ceremony will take place at Westminster Abbey conducted by The Archbishop of Canterbury. This service will be the centrepiece of the Coronation weekend (6-8 May). It will be a service rooted in Christian symbolism, reflecting the King's role today whilst looking to the future. An online service for the Coronation of King Charles III will be streamed from the Church of England's website, and Facebook and YouTube channels on Sunday 7 May and available on-demand immediately after its conclusion. |
|
Sunday 7 May – The Coronation Big Lunch
|
County Service at St Edmundsbury Cathedral - details to be announced. Bring your neighbours and community together to share friendship, food and fun with a Coronation Big Lunch this May!
This nationwide act of celebration and friendship will see neighbours and communities sharing food and fun together. You might choose to host a Coronation Big Lunch in your church building, or community space by putting together a celebratory event on the day, through a regular lunch club you run, or by supporting and promoting other local events that are happening. For more information and resources visit: coronationbiglunch.com A special Coronation Concert will be staged and broadcast live at Windsor Castle. Please note: The BBC will be waiving licensing requirements for public screenings of both the Coronation Service, and the Coronation Concert provided that tickets to public screenings are not sold and no profit is to be made from the screening. A County Service of Celebration to mark the Coronation - Sunday 7 May, 10.00am: |
|
Monday 8 May - The Big Help Out
|
The Big Help Out will highlight the positive impact volunteering has on communities across the nation. It will also encourage people to try volunteering for themselves and join the work being undertaken to support their local areas. Getting involved in the Big Help Out could be a great way of highlighting the volunteer work that happens through your church every week and inviting new people into the volunteering life of the church, and your local community. For more information and resources visit: thebighelpout.org.uk Church communities might think about celebrating local volunteers through ‘The Coronation Champions Awards’. Find out more about this via Royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
|
| Ring for the King |
Churches and Bell Ringers may wish to consider ringing, where possible, before and/or after the Coronation service to locally gather and mark the Anointing and Crowning of the King at a practicable time (with the agreement of the PCC). Bell Ringers may also wish to consider how they could offer ‘taster’ sessions and training as part of your local community gathering or Big Help Out, with the appropriate risk assessments undertaken. Guidance for bell ringers is available on the CCBR website: cccbr.org.uk/bellringing/ring-for-the-king/ |
| Guidance for flags | The British Flag Institute and the Department for Digital, Media, Culture & Sport confirm that to mark the Coronation the Union Standard should be flown at full mast all day on Saturday 6 May. |
| Sing for The King |
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, acclaimed singer and composer, has been commissioned by the RSCM to compose a new coronation anthem 'The Mountains Shall Bring Peace'. The anthem sets the words of the psalms and is suitable for both services and concerts. For further information please visit: rscm.org.uk/whats-on/sing-for-the-king |
| Post coronation - Thy Kingdom Come |
You are invited to keep praying and volunteering with and for your communities, with ‘Thy Kingdom Come’. This year’s theme is ‘Praying and Living the Kingdom’ which invites participants to pray for others, and ‘love thy neighbour’ through practical acts of love and service. Resources are available at: thykingdomcome.global |
Resources
The Church of England will be sharing a range of resources that may help you mark the Coronation weekend in your setting. This includes:
- A resource information booklet
- Graphics to download
- A podcast of children’s Coronation stories
- Collective worship resources for Primary and Secondary schools (available here)
- Coronation colouring packs, arts and crafts and other ideas for children will be made available.
To access the resources please visit their website here.
Other Resources
- The Coronation Study Guide, from the Diocese in Europe, is now available to download 'Theological significance of the Coronation'.
- 'Crown Uncovered' episodes can also be found on Spotify and Apple Podcasts here, each episode explores different aspects of either the history or Theological and contemporary significance of the Coronation.
- The Prayer Book Society lectures are also available here.
- Hope Together have produced a special Coronation Souvenir book of Matthew’s gospel with an illustrated introduction on the Coronation. A Crowned King is available to order here.
