Three church members from Worcestershire are receiving ‘Maundy Money’ from HM the Queen in recognition of their exemplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
Owing to the Coronavirus epidemic, the service planned for St George’s Chapel in Windsor was cancelled, with recipients receiving their money through the post. The money is distributed by HM the Queen every Maundy Thursday and she is normally assisted by Bishop John in his role as Lord High Almoner. It is traditionally given to the same number of men and women as the monarch’s age.
Bishop John said: “The service for the giving of Maundy money by HM the Queen is always such a moving occasion and it’s really disappointing for all concerned that it wasn’t able to take place this year. That doesn’t lessen the significance of the money given to this year’s recipients, though. The coins are a token of appreciation from someone who herself has given such extraordinary Christian service over a long lifetime.”
Those awarded the Maundy money from Worcestershire were:
Janet Bryan, 72, member of St Peter’s Church in Droitwich:
Janet has served as lay chair of Droitwich Deanery for many years and has brought wisdom and grace to the role. She has been a committed member of her local church where she has contributed much. She is also a faithful grandmother to Jonathan, author of Eye Can Write, a poignant memoir by a twelve-year-old boy locked in through severe cerebral palsy, which caught the attention of the Archbishop of Canterbury when published last year. She has balanced support of her family with church commitments over many years in sometimes difficult circumstances, always with a smile.
Janet said: “It was a shock when I received the letter inviting me to receive the Maundy Money. It is a great honour and I wondered why I’d been selected! It was disappointing when I learned that the service wasn’t going ahead, but I wasn’t surprised. I was going to take my son who is Archdeacon of Malmesbury – he’d had to get special permission from his bishop to come with me to the service because it’s on Maundy Thursday!”
Mike Bunclark, 74, member of St Martin’s Church, London Road, Worcester
Mike has served the church and local community in Worcester faithfully for many years. He has been churchwarden in his parish church and lay chair of the deanery synod, as well as serving the diocese significantly in its councils. Around retirement, he was delighted to be accepted to train for Reader ministry and has relished his ministerial role in the team ministry. Mike has been a good friend, confidant and support to a succession of parish priests and rural deans, with a wisdom, generosity and humour much valued in his congregation too - a godly man.
Mike said: “I was incredibly surprised and very humbled when I received the letter, you never expect it to happen to you! I haven’t told many people about it. I was planning to take my wife with me to the service in Windsor and we are both sad not be going, but I’m still honoured to be one of this year’s recipients.”
Dorothy Johnson, 86, member of Ombersley Road Methodist Church in Worcester
Dorothy attends Ombersley Road Methodist Church, Worcester, where she has been single-handedly responsible for them being and remaining a Jubilee Congregation. She is a friendly person to new people and gives practical help to those with difficulties to get them back on their feet. Dorothy is passionate about peace and justice. She attends events all over the locality, and makes jam to sell to raise funds. For a number of years, she has been a leading light in the local Christian Aid group, continues to lobby her MP and attended their recent rally in London. Dorothy wouldn’t want to be thought of as giving “exemplary Christian service”, because she is such a humble person – the salt of the earth.
Dorothy said: “I felt very honoured and humbled to be considered for such an award. We are a very close family in our church and a team. Although I’ve been given this, I want to share it with everyone – we all work together and everyone deserves it! I was going to take my daughter with me to the service. She has recently recovered from cancer and we were both very excited. We’ve got an invite to a reception with the Mayor in September though, so we’ll be getting dressed up for that instead!”
The tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th Century and in this country, the first record of the monarch doing it is in 1210. The word ‘Maundy’ comes from the Latin word meaning ‘Commandment’. It was on this Thursday, the day before he died, that Jesus gave his disciples what he described as a new commandment: ‘that you should love one another as I have loved you.’ This year a special film will be released on Maundy Thursday on www.royal.uk to mark the occasion because the service itself cannot take place.
ENDS
