REVD TONY MILES LEADS PRAYERS AT COMMONWEALTH DAY

Revd Tony Miles, Superintendent Minister of Methodist Central Hall Westminster took part in the Commonwealth Day service at Westminster Abbey today in the presence of Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort. The Prince and Princess of Wales, HRH The Princess Royal and other senior members of the Royal Family were also present.

Held on the second Monday of March each year, the Commonwealth Service is Britain’s largest annual inter-faith gathering and celebrates the people and cultures of the 54 Commonwealth nations.

The service, which was broadcast live on BBC One was conducted by the Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle. HM The King delivered his first Commonwealth Message as Monarch saying, ‘The Commonwealth has a near-boundless potential as a force for good in the world and it demands our highest ambition; its sheer scale challenges us to unite and be bold. Whether on climate change and biodiversity loss, youth opportunity and education, global health or economic co-operation the Commonwealth can play an indispensable role in the most pressing issues of our time.’

Revd Tony Miles said, 'It was inspiring to hear His Majesty The King speak about the ingenuity and imagination of the Commonwealth, an organisation that includes 1/3rd of the world's population, including one and half billion people under the age of 30. During the service we affirmed our belief in the Commonwealth as a powerful influence for good in the world, and pledged ourselves to its service, now and in the future. We continue to pray for HM The King and the Commonwealth and a more peaceful and sustainable common future for all.'

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Notes

1. 1.Methodist Central Hall is a global Christian family following Jesus at the heart of London. With members from over 35 national groupings the church has been based in its historic building since 1912. In 1946 the church moved out for two months so that the first meeting of the United Nations could take place in the Great Hall.
   
   2. The Commonwealth Service at Westminster Abbey has been held since 1972. It is Britain’s largest meeting place for faiths, and celebrates the people and cultures of the Commonwealth nations.The Commonwealth is home to more than two billion citizens of numerous faiths and ethnicities, over sixty-percent of whom are under the age of 30.

Photo Credits © Andrew Dunsmore / Westminster Abbey used with permission.