Salvation Army Coronation celebrations fit for a King
published on 5 May 2023
Ahead of the Coronation of King Charles this weekend, Salvation Army corps across the UK have been celebrating – or are planning to celebrate - the occasion in a range of fun ways.
To give just a flavour of what’s been going on in local communities - Bexleyheath Corps hosted an afternoon tea party, while separately in Peterborough Corps there was lots of delicious baking done. Belfast Sydenham Corps had a Coronation themed craft and activity session for toddlers, and similarly toddlers in Penge also enjoyed celebrating with a Coronation party.
Children from Droitwich Salvation Army Pre School shared in a morning of Coronation themed fun with members of the Corps' Friendship Group. They shared snacks, made crowns, and played 'Coronation balloon tennis' together.
Further festivities are planned elsewhere this weekend including in Swan Lodge Lifehouse in Sunderland, which provides supported accommodation for up to 65 people who are homeless. It will host a Coronation barbecue and crown a ‘King and Queen of Swan Lodge’ on Saturday, 6 May. There will also be games, sports, and activities.
Histon Corps in Cambridge will show the Coronation ceremony on Saturday on a big screen and is inviting people to come along and bring a picnic to enjoy as they watch. The corps will also open on Sunday evening, 7 May at 7pm for the showing of the Coronation Concert.
A Salvation Army band will play in the Precincts in Canterbury at 12.30pm for an hour on Sunday as part of celebrations organised by Canterbury Cathedral. The Salvation Army in Lower Earley, Reading has transformed its overgrown outdoor space into a Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) award-winning garden, dedicating part of its rose garden to mark the Coronation.
The Salvation Army has also used the occasion to look back at the many times over the years that King Charles, when he was Prince of Wales, showed his support for the work of the church and charity.
Highlights include June 1978 when Prince Charles attended the opening of The Salvation Army’s International Congress at Wembley Arena where he also made an address. He also supported the Army on several occasions in the nineties, notably in February 1996 when he met and praised Salvation Army representatives for the support given to the emergency services in the aftermath of a bomb explosion in the Docklands area of London.
The Salvation Army was privileged to have enjoyed a long and fulfilling relationship with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who shared our desire to serve and to put faith into action. We hope the newly crowned King and Queen will find peace and strength in God that will guide and sustain them through their years of service.
