Hope Together : Press Release

Bring out the bunting and start the band practice!
Faithful-Queen-Cover

Communities across the Commonwealth are preparing to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – bringing out the bunting and practising songs to celebrate.

‘Rise up and serve, thanking God for Her Majesty…’ is the message from the Commonwealth Choir in a new anthem commissioned by HOPE Together and watched on YouTube by nearly 80,000 viewers in the few weeks since the song was released.

‘Rise Up & Serve’ was written by song writers Graham Kendrick, Mal Pope and the contemporary worship band Rend Collective for choirs everywhere to sing at Platinum Jubilee events and street parties this summer. With singers and musicians from as far afield as Australia and Canada, India and England, the Commonwealth Choir’s performance, filmed at the Tower of London, includes British Gospel singer Muyiwa Olarewaju OBE adding his own words of tribute to the Queen in Hausa, Swahli, Igbo and Yoruba, with the Aldgate School Children’s Choir led by Pat Bilbrough adding an intergenerational sound.

Alongside the song, HOPE Together and Biblica have published a souvenir gift book Our Faithful Queen written by journalist Catherine Butcher – more than 280,000 copies have been bought already by churches to give away. It draws on the prayers, Bible texts and reflections in a little book of private devotions the Queen was given to prepare for her coronation. 64-pages of beautiful pictures tell the story of the Queen’s life as it changed from carefree childhood to the responsibilities of monarchy; the joy of family life to the grief of loss.

Listen to the anthem then download the words and music from www.theplatinumjubilee.com/sing. The website also includes a preview of the book Our Faithful Queen, and ideas for 70 Acts of Service to honour the Queen for her faith and service over seven decades.

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Quotes about Our Faithful Queen
‘Our local village congregations are all coming together to fund this amazing book and deliver to every house’ Wendy Poole on Facebook

‘I was gobsmacked! It’s a beautiful book and regardless of your religious beliefs, whether you’re a royalist or not, she is a totally amazing woman.’ Kerry Walton on Facebook

Our Faithful Queen is fantastic! What an incredible back story you found and made so accessible.’ Jane Holloway, World Prayer Centre

For interviews and further information contact HOPE Together’s Communications office@hoptegether.org.uk

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