Some of you may have seen the exciting announcement relating to our Ministry Area Lead, Revd. Julian Gray who has recently been appointed as Honorary Chaplain to His Majesty the King. Julian joins five other senior clerics from the Church in Wales to be appointed by the monarch in recognition of their distinguished service.
Honorary King’s Chaplains have traditionally been appointed for the Church of England and the Church of Scotland. This is the first time clerics of the Church in Wales have been appointed:
“I am greatly honoured, deeply humbled and delightfully surprised to have been appointed as an Honorary Chaplain to His Majesty, the King. I first encountered His Majesty during the Summer of 1969 when, following his Investiture as Prince of Wales, he journeyed throughout the Principality, surveying his new realm. He came to my hometown of Pontypool and because, like Zacchaeus, I was small of stature (I was five years old at the time) and could see nothing due to the towering adults that surrounded me, my uncle picked me up and sat me on his shoulders, providing a grandstand view! Despite the many thousands of people in Pontypool Park that day, as the Royal motorcade sped by, I was convinced that the young Prince saw, smiled and waved – at me! I have been a monarchist ever since!
The Monarchy has faced many challenges of late. That is why it is important to remind ourselves of the huge contribution that the King has made to our national wellbeing. Throughout his life he has championed social responsibility, environmental stewardship and sustainability often well before they became mainstream. He has advocated a balanced and harmonious relationship between humanity and the natural world, an approach that he applies in practical ways to his charitable work, agricultural practices, and his vision for a modern, evolving monarchy.
Although the wearing of a bright red cassock and Geneva preaching bands (the uniform of my new role) might take some getting used to, it is a huge privilege to be part of the newly instituted Royal Chaplaincy for Wales. Whoever we serve, whatever their worldly status might be, it is Jesus, the King of Kings, to whom we ultimately render service. So, in the words of The Servant King, Graham Kendrick’s beautiful hymn:
‘Let us learn how to serve, And in our lives enthrone Him, Each other’s needs to prefer, For it is Christ we’re serving’.
The Chaplains will wear a distinctive scarlet cassock and a badge with the Royal cypher. Each will be invited to preach at a Royal Chapel during their period of appointment. They may also be invited by His Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant for each county to participate in national, civic and local events and Royal visits in each of the Lieutenancies of Wales.
The appointments recognise the special relationship of His Majesty The King with Wales. Many congratulations Julian on such well-deserved recognition!