Signs of the times at Jubilee thanksgiving

CHURCH TIMES, 10 JUNE 2022

Letters to the Editor

From Mr Garry Humphreys

Sir, — How revealing – and telling – was the television coverage of the Jubilee service at St Paul’s: in the many shots of the congregation, the great and the good were clearly ill at ease. Unfamiliarity with the hymns and signs of incomprehension – perhaps even boredom – were apparent, with conversation during the anthems, as if it were background music.

There were exceptions, of course; but the general impression was that the traditions with which those of us of a certain age were brought up, and which are deeply rooted in our psyche, are now alien to a significant segment of our society.

GARRY HUMPHREYS