In the Queen's Jubilee year, six people living in the Diocese of Manchester were awarded Maundy money in recognition of their service to the Church and community at a special service on Maundy Thursday at St George's Chapel, Windsor.
The tradition of distribution of alms started in the 12-13th century with the King’s Court travelling around the country. From the 15th century the number of recipients has been related to the years of the sovereign’s life and since the 18th century an equal number of men and women. This year Maundy money was awarded to 96 men and 96 women, among them the following people from the Diocese of Manchester:
Mrs Muriel Davies -- A Methodist Church member who has raised funds for RNLI since 1960, including many collecting boxes around Bolton. She continues to do so, aged 99.
Mr Geoffrey Dent -- A long-serving Deanery Lay Chair, who was a member of Diocesan Synod and Bishop’s Council. With a career as a chemist at Manchester University, Geoff instigated the Manchester Diocese motion at General Synod to affirm the compatibility of being a scientist and having a religious faith. This led to the God and the Big Bang Project which successfully takes the message into schools and colleges.
Brother Ben Harrison -- A Roman Catholic Missionary of Charity, Ben has volunteered for prison ministry for over 30 years. He has a gift in helping the more problematic prisoners, who highly appreciate him. Young lads also gravitate to him in his local community.
Mrs Yvonne Mackereth -- Having given service to the Church over many years, Yvonne is Chair of the House of Laity of the Diocesan Synod. She is a churchwarden and until recently was a Deanery Lay Chair.
Mrs Joyce Mounfield -- A life-long Christian, Joyce has served the church in many capacities, continuing as Treasurer at The Saviour, Collyhurst. She was a school governor for more than 20 years, including ten as Chair. She visited the school regularly, where she was much loved and respected.
Mr Peter North -- Actively involved in his Scout group, Peter supports adults completing their training. He is the Anglican representative for the County, helping adapt programmes for those with special needs. He is involved with his parish church of St Margaret, Prestwich.
The service on Maundy Thursday was about an hour long, starting with entry of the Yeomen of the Guard followed by The St George’s Military Knights. Next was The Royal procession led by Prince Charles and The Duchess of Cornwall then finally the Royal Almoners procession with Yeomen carrying large trays holding the purses. The Maundy money is held in two leather purses: a white one containing sliver 1p, 2p, 3p and 4p coins to the value of the sovereign's age. A red purse contains a silver £5 coin and a 50p coin which replaces the original gift for clothing and provisions. This year the coins are specially marked as Jubilee coins.
Geoffrey Dent said, "During the service Prince Charles walked to each individual to present the purse which he did in a manner which made it feel very individual. Receiving the award was a completely unexpected and great honour. The presentation, being held in the Chapel with all the pageantry, made for a totally wonderful experience."
Brother Ben MC said "For me it is important this this recognition is for something very ordinary. What it means is that a few of my colleagues have seen the value of the way I do my ministry with people in prison – which is not my way but our simple MC Brothers’ way of trying to be present to people in a friendly, natural, non-judgmental, supportive way.
"And besides all that, the way this 'honour' is being given also seems appropriate for us as MC Brothers, because it is not an award but a gift of alms. I will be standing with 191 other elderly men and women who have performed some service for their communities and churches. And I will be standing in the place of the confused apostles whose feet Jesus humbly washed at the Last Supper, the poor people whose feet the Pope washes on Maundy Thursday, the beggars to whom English kings once humbly gave a purse of alms on that day, and a set of new clothes out of respect for their God-given dignity. So, I am one poor soul among many receiving a blessing from God through his Christian servant (Queen Elizabeth or her representative) – and I also stand as proxy for the poor whom Our Lord honours by calling them blessed, beloved of God, and bearers of his own presence. As much as I am pleased at this 'honour', I am also certain that it is not primarily for me, but is a statement of the value of our service as Brothers and even more of the value of the people we serve. If they were not so precious to God, our service would not count for much."