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Maundy money given for service of Norfolk Christians  

Four local Christians received Maundy Money from Her Majesty The Queen. Rather than the usual service at St George’s Chapel, Michael Cassidy, Jack Burton, Eiler Mellerup and Jennifer Vere instead received theirs by post.
 

The giving of Royal Maundy Money by HM The Queen is a centuries old tradition The name “Maundy” and the ceremony itself derive from an instruction, or mandatum, of Jesus at the Last Supper that his followers should love one another. This symbolic act of giving a gift of money in small purses is a ceremonial living out of that Christian care.

There are as many recipients as there are years in the sovereign’s age. At the ceremony, the monarch hands each recipient two small leather string purses. A red purse contains ordinary coins, while a white one contains silver Maundy coins, amounting to the same number of pence as the years of the sovereign’s age.

The Rt Revd Graham Usher, Bishop of Norwich, spoke with each recipient this morning. He says:

“I am delighted that the contributions that Eiler, Jack, Mike and Jennie have made to communities in Norfolk and Waveney has been recognised, though it is a sadness that, due to Covid-19, the service at St George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle has been cancelled. Nevertheless, I hope that this is a day to rejoice and it was a huge pleasure to speak to each of them this morning on the phone to congratulate them. A common theme of our conversations was their concern for others at this time.”

The Lord Lieutenant, The Lady Dannatt, who is Her Majesty The Queen’s representative in Norfolk was also able to speak to each of the recipients today in order to thank them and send her warmest congratulations.

Each of the four received the Maundy Money in the two purses, along with a personally signed letter from The Queen.

Michael Cassidy


Mike is a serving churchwarden at St. Andrew’s, Gorleston and an Authorised Worship Assistant supporting the Christian community through leading worship. Blind since birth he pursued a career in physiotherapy and received a Distinguished Service Award from the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy in recognition of his work to support visually impaired people. He has also worked with the Royal National Institute of Blind People to champion improved computer accessibility for people with visual impairments in healthcare roles.  Mike has travelled the world and is remarkably able.
 

The Reverend Jack Burton


Jack has a love of people, of buses and of the Methodist Church in which he grew up and which nurtured him and ordained him. Jack heard the call to preach and to minister as a young man. He was very much influenced by the Larkman Group, a group of young Local Preachers and Lay People who were determined that the church should be relevant, and be seen to be relevant to people on the new estates which were springing up all around Norwich, and particularly on the Larkman Estate in North Earlham. As a worker priest, he was able to bring the Gospel and Sacramental ministry to people ‘where they were’ and had a ministry amongst his fellow bus drivers and passengers. And in all of this work he has been ably supported by Molly.


The Revd Eiler Mellerup


Eiler was ordained as a local minister over 20 years ago on her retirement as a primary school headteacher and has a ministry of service to the parish of Walcott in which she lives. She has a genuine care and concern for many across the Coastal Group of parishes visiting elderly parishioners, a number of whom are isolated and infirm, keeping a watchful eye on their wellbeing, and in this is much appreciated.  She has ably steered the Coastal Group of seven parishes through two vacancies and worked alongside three incumbents. She is hard-working and dutiful, and her fundraising events, together with her sister, have raised thousands of pounds for Walcott church. Although in her 80s, Eiler swims in the sea every day in the summer months and is inspirational in her energy and commitment.


Mrs Jennifer Vere


Jennie has been a faithful member of the church at North Lopham where she is PCC Secretary and an Authorised Worship Assistant supporting the Christian community through leading worship. She has served as school governor to the local church school for over 20 years. She is a member of Diocesan Synod and has been a member of Redenhall Deanery Synod for over 40 years and is currently Secretary. Her service to the church locally and within the Diocese has been exemplary.
 

Each recipient also received this personal letter from The Queen: Maundy Money letter from The Queen 


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