{"id":16844,"date":"2021-04-09T10:06:56","date_gmt":"2021-04-09T09:06:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/?p=16844"},"modified":"2021-04-24T10:56:40","modified_gmt":"2021-04-24T09:56:40","slug":"the-death-of-hrh-prince-philip-the-duke-of-edinburgh","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.trinitywimbledon.org\/index.php\/the-death-of-hrh-prince-philip-the-duke-of-edinburgh\/","title":{"rendered":"The death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"The United Reformed Church has expressed its sadness at the passing of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on April 9 aged 99.<\/strong><\/p>\n

A constant support to Her Majesty the Queen since their marriage in 1947, the Prince was one of the nation’s best-loved and controversial royal figures.<\/p>\n

Psalm 107: 23-31<\/strong><\/p>\n

Some went down to the sea in\u00a0ships,
\ndoing business on the mighty waters;
\nthey saw the deeds of the Lord,
\nhis wondrous works in the deep.<\/p>\n

For he commanded and raised the stormy wind,
\nwhich lifted up the waves of the\u00a0sea.
\nThey mounted up to heaven, they went down to the depths;
\ntheir courage melted away in their calamity;
\nthey reeled and staggered like drunkards,
\nand were at their wits\u2019 end.<\/p>\n

Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble,
\nand he brought them out from their distress;
\nhe made the storm be still,
\nand the waves of the sea were hushed.<\/p>\n

Then they were glad because they had quiet,
\nand he brought them to their desired haven.
\nLet them thank the Lord for his steadfast love,
\nfor his wonderful works to humankind.<\/p>\n

Reflection<\/strong><\/p>\n

The death of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, brings a moment to reflect on an extraordinary life. For many, this death will leave them feeling shaken, as the life of someone who has for so many decades been at the heart of our nation comes to an end.<\/p>\n

He was born in Corfu and baptised into the Orthodox church. Later received into the Church of England, many who have known the Duke of Edinburgh bear witness to the depth of his faith and his theological knowledge. A regular visitor to Mount Athos, and a keen questioner of preachers, his faith was much more than nominal.<\/p>\n

With a childhood marred by political turmoil and danger, as his family fled from Greece, Philip was, in many ways, often almost alone in the world as he grew up. Gordonstoun school and the British Royal Navy gave him roots and a home, and with marriage to Princess Elizabeth his life\u2019s path was set.<\/p>\n

She described him, in 2012, as a \u2018constant strength and guide\u2019 and his supportive role as a husband was one he fulfilled over decades of marriage. It is often said that he felt the loss of his own career keenly, but he became a hardworking member of the Royal Family, taking up causes and projects with formidable energy.<\/p>\n

Many of us will have been, or will know, someone who learned a love of the outdoors, spurred on by the Duke of Edinburgh award scheme. Countless young people have learned endurance and survival skills, navigating maps and building fires, walking in the hills and bedding down in tents, achieving things they would not have imagined possible.<\/p>\n

Prince Philip has also been a tireless campaigner on behalf of threatened wildlife and for the preservation of the earth.<\/p>\n

Known for his blunt and forthright speech, and for being the man who was always one step behind the Queen, he was a determined supporter of his wife, an energetic sportsman, a committed conservationist, with the strength of character to remain steady through changing and difficult times.<\/p>\n

Queen Elizabeth often acknowledged her debt to him and encouraged the whole nation to recognise it too.<\/p>\n

At this moment of his death we have an opportunity to reflect and to give thanks, for a life of dedicated service to nation and commonwealth. We pray for his family and closest friends, for those who will mourn and miss him most.<\/p>\n

And we draw hope from the faith into which he was baptised, declaring that Christ is risen<\/p>\n

Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n

O God, our rock and our redeemer,
\nwe come to worship you
\nand to give thanks for your servant Philip.<\/p>\n

We thank you for his long life,
\nfor his dedicated support of his wife in her vocation as Queen,
\nand for his service to commonwealth and nation.<\/p>\n

We thank you for the Duke of Edinburgh award,
\nfor the work of the World Wide Fund for Nature
\nand for so many causes he inspired and supported.<\/p>\n

We thank you for what he has meant
\nto each one of us\u2026
\nWe treasure memories
\nof meeting him \u2026.<\/p>\n

We rejoice that he lived and shared
\nthe faith we hold,
\nand that, by your grace,
\nhe survived danger and threat.<\/p>\n

We pray for those who will miss him most deeply,
\nthat they may find comfort and hope.
\nWe celebrate and affirm our faith
\nthat death is defeated,
\nthat new life awaits your children,
\nand that creation is renewed in Christ.<\/p>\n

And, in this day and time, we pray,
\nas we are always glad to pray,
\nmay your Kingdom come. Amen.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The United Reformed Church has expressed its sadness at the passing of HRH Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, who died on April 9 aged 99. A constant support to Her Majesty the Queen since their marriage in 1947, the Prince was one of the nation’s best-loved and controversial royal figures. Psalm 107: 23-31 Some … <\/p>\n

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