A few words from the President of the Methodist Church in Ireland, the Rev David Nixon following the rehearsals in London this week.

“Along with the other Church Leaders from Ireland, I was in Westminster Abbey for rehearsals from 11:30am to 6:00pm today.

We did a full dress and camera rehearsal of the entire service (apart from the sermon) with a stand-in King and Queen. The crown was a little too big for the stand-in Queen and kept falling over!

I felt underdressed in my cassock and stole compared to the feathers, fur and fine gold threads worn by others! The music and the singing from the choir, including some girls from Methody, was spine tingling. The entire service is very moving and I’m looking forward to the real thing.

The Church of England has the order of service on its website along with helpful notes and explanations of the Coronation Regalia. churchofengland.org/coronation/liturgy

The theme of serving is set right at the beginning with the first words spoken by the King - “In His name and after His example
 come not to be served
, but to serve.”

May the King be led by God to serve his people wisely.