Date: September 9, 2022
When the Rev. Dr. Barney Hawkins and I started planning the Historic Bicentenary Pilgrimage in England, we had no idea that the first evening – the evening when the group gathers in the Hotel called the Rubens by the Palace – that her Majesty the Queen would pass into glory. But so events unfolded. It was early evening when we heard the news on the BBC. This remarkable woman had finally passed away at the age of 96 after serving 70 years on the throne.
After dinner, our pilgrims made their first pilgrimage. We walked the 400 yards to the Palace gates. The sign notifying the public of her passing was there. We watched as crowds gathered, flowers were placed, and recognized the passing of an age.
Queen Elizabeth was at the center of so much: she met world leaders; she supported the Commonwealth; and she was faithful in her Christian observance. I was moved. She is the only monarch I have known my entire life. Her passing truly reflects the end of an age.
We now have King Charles III. We pray for the new King; may he navigate the many challenges of his reign as well as his mother did.
The Very Rev. Ian S. Markham, Ph.D.
Dean and President