23rd April 2016

Today we celebrate St George, the patron of our land

As guest, I bring you greetings with this poem in my hand

Warm thanks for your great welcome  - that's the message of this rhyme

And celebrating George is so important at this time

I've hurried here from London and the church of Precious Blood

We're getting on along there down beside the Thameside mud...

We've all heard about Gainford , and  the  parish and the fun

The beauty of the worship, and the  great things that you've done...

It's messier in London what with traffic and with trains

 - All noisy during Evensong -  and office slabs, and cranes...

But here we are together in this really special year

Our Sovreign  reaches 90 and we raise a hearty cheer

We all do love her, don't we?  - and see standing close beside

A small much-loved great-grandson takes the future in his stride,

Bearing the name of George, and all the nation seems to see

That  the future of a country all depends on family

And  the hope for us as Christians is to speak up for God's way

And here the Ordinariate has such a part to play

Because we have a message that our country badly needs

Of clear and joyful teaching from a Church that truly leads

In Rome another Jorge - that was his first name, Francis now -

Reminds us of the "joy of love",  and gently shows us how

To teach the truth of marriage, man and woman, lifelong, true

Whatever media may say or governments may do.

Here's to the Ordinariate, a hope for years ahead

I've been a little serious, so now for cheer instead

Here's to St Osmund's, Gainford, it's  a parish of renown  -

And greetings from The Precious Blood, The Borough, London Town.

Hurrah for our dear country, Shakespeare's land,  the land we love

The country which has been  so blessed with gifts from God above

A countryside so beautiful, a people who have known

Much change, but with a history  that all can claim and own

What does the future hold? We cannot know, but we can say

"Here's to St George, and Christ and Church, and country, come what may!"

Dame Joanna Bogle 23-04-2016