(A photo of the Maundy Money presented to the Rev Jacqueline Littlewood)
Many congratulations to Derek Shilling and the Rev Jacqueline Littlewood who have received Maundy Money from The King at a service in York Minster today.
This special honour is reserved for older members of each Church of England diocese who have been chosen in acknowledgement of the Christian service they have given to the Church and the community.
This annual ceremony is inspired by the story of Jesus washing the feet of the disciples.
The Maundy Money
This is the first year The King will present the Maundy Money as monarch.
During the Service, The King presents each recipient with two purses: one red and one white. The white purse contains a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins equivalent in value to the age of the Monarch (seventy-four).
The red purse contains two commemorative coins, symbolising the Sovereign's historic gift of food and clothing. This year, one will celebrate His Majesty’s forthcoming 75th birthday and the other will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation.
An unexpected recognition
Both of the recipients nominated by the Diocese this year have shown longevity of service and dedication to their Christian calling.
Derek Shilling has served at both the diocesan and parish level for many years. Derek has chaired the Rochester Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches (DAC) since 2004 with wisdom and diplomacy; he is also a member of Diocesan Synod and a PCC member at his local church.
He said his nomination was completely unexpected,
“I am most appreciative of my nomination which I believe reflects not only on my thirty or so years involvement with the diocese but also on the membership and work of the DAC during my time as Chair.
“My wife and I will be delighted to attend the ceremony in York Minster. While all these events are very special it is particularly pleasing to be involved in this the first Royal Maundy of King Charles’s reign.”
During his time as churchwarden and Vice Chairman of the PCC at St Bartholomew’s, he helped project manage the building of a £1m extension to the church and a subsequent project to repair/refurbish the church tower.
The Revd Jacqueline Patricia Littlewood has ministered in the Diocese of Rochester since 1980, and for the last 36 of those within the East Gravesend Group of Churches.
Those who nominated her said that she has been an inspiration and trailblazer for women within ordained ministry, being one of the first women to be ordained as Priest in 1994. She has also been an active advocate for the Mothers' Union since 1981, serving as Branch Leader and Chair over the years.
A special honour
Reflecting on the honour Jacqueline said,
“It is very special to be a recipient of the Royal Maundy on the first occasion in our King’s reign. It feels like a historic occasion for all concerned!
“The news that I had been nominated to receive The Royal Maundy Money left me speechless and it is lovely to receive such a royal recognition from my Sovereign. This day will be very exciting and I want to thank Rochester Diocese for nominating me for this very special occasion.”
Jacqueline now serves as an Associate Priest with Permission to Officiate and continues to offer care and support to anyone that she meets in the community and works closely with people of other faiths and none, as she has done throughout her ministry in Rochester Diocese.
She continues to chaplain to Gravesend and Medway Maritime Volunteer Service, Gravesend Merchant Navy Association, Gravesham and Ebbsfleet Royal British Legion and Gravesham Borough Workplace chaplain.
In the past, she has been chaplain to The Royal Marines Association, Gravesend and also served as chaplain to four Mayors of Gravesham.
Jacqueline added,
“The Royal Maundy is a reminder of the humble service that we find at the heart of our faith in Christ’s command to love and serve. A vocation we all share as followers of Christ – King or commoner, clergy or lay.”