The year 2022 marks the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II. Across the United Kingdom, diverse communities are hosting events to commemorate the 70 years of her reign. Seventh-day Adventists in the United Kingdom are joining the celebrations marking that significant event.

“We thank God for the life of our monarch, Queen Elizabeth II. It is an amazing achievement that she has served not only the United Kingdom but 14 other countries as well, faithfully, as the Head of State,” Eglan Brooks, British Union Conference (BUC) president, said. “Seventy years of service is truly remarkable. As the Seventh-day Adventist Church in the British Isles, we take this opportunity to mingle with our communities over the forthcoming weeks in new and engaging ways.”

The Jubilee Spiritual

On June 1, 2022, a special vocal arrangement of the“Jubilee Spiritual”will be released. The song is an arrangement of “Great Day”by renowned musician Tina Brooks and is based on the words found in Leviticus 25 that highlight the biblical meaning of jubilee.

The musical arrangement was co-produced by “Papa Dwight” and delivered virtually by a group of young singers who performed together throughout the COVID-19 lockdown.

“It is awesome that this intergenerational project is complete. Our young people have much to offer, and it’s great to see them involved in such a project. This version of the spiritual will appeal to a contemporary audience,” BUC youth director Kevin Johns said.

Funding for this two-part project was secured from the Trans-European Division (TED) Creative and Innovation Fund. This project continues with a release in August of an arrangement for chorale ensembles, produced in a classical a cappella style.

Community Outreach

Local grassroot hubs are planning to hold community fairs, street parties, and jubilee lunches over the special four-day bank holiday, June 2-5.

The “I AM Urban’’ initiative, a partnership of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) and Adventist Community Services, has provided funding for eligible hubs to host a special lunch or deliver a sustainable community development project in their local area, leaders said.

Celebration FOCUS Magazine Issue

To support this year’s Jubilee celebrations and the forthcoming Commonwealth Games, Stanborough Press has produced a special edition of FOCUS magazine that can be used as an outreach resource. Leaders said that copies of FOCUS can be purchased through the Life Source bookshop at the BUC in Watford or online.

The original version of this story was posted on the Trans-European Division news site.