There were two recipients from Durham Diocese as Queen Camilla handed out Maundy Money at Worcester Cathedral.
Canon Dr Jamie Harrison and Mary Guymer both attended the prestigious ceremony on Maundy Thursday (28th March), where they received special purses of coins.
The annual tradition of presenting alms on Maundy Thursday goes back to at least the 4th Century. This year, the Queen distributed the Maundy Money on behalf of King Charles III, who has restricted his duties while he undergoes treatment for cancer.
A select band of 75 men and 75 women (signifying the King's age this year) were chosen to receive the ceremonial coins on Maundy Thursday. The gift is presented in recognition of their exe
mplary Christian service to church and community over many years.
Jamie and Mary were nominated by the Rt Revd Paul Butler, the recently retired Bishop of Durham, for their services in Durham Diocese.
“It’s very nice to have been nominated by Bishop Paul,” said Jamie. “This really is a huge honour.”
Jamie was nominated for service to the Anglican church at parish, diocesan and national level, including his work as a Licensed Lay Minister (Reader) and as Chair of the House of Laity of the General Synod.
Jamie’s work as a GP saw him arrive in Durham in 1990. Five years later, he joined General Synod as a lay rep for Durham and went on to serve as Lay Diocesan Chair.
For more than 20 years, Jamie has worshipped at St Nicholas’ Church where he is a Licenced Reader. He is vice president of the council at St John’s College, Durham University, and sits on the Vacancy in See Committee.
Mary was nominated for her service to the local community through activities for the elderly and young, and through the many ministries of her local Baptist Church at Ushaw Moor, which she has served for decades.
“This is a great privilege and very much unexpected,” she said. “But it is very exciting and a wonderful surprise.”
Mary has worked in her local church community at Ushaw Moor and Esh village in a variety of ways. Alongside her husband Bill, the couple have served as Gideons to communicate God’s word. They have also hosted home groups, while during the pandemic, they supported people by organising Zoom sessions to keep people involved with church life.
A retired RE teacher, Mary preaches at the Baptist Church and also supports other initiatives there, including a bowls club, while a new kitchen has recently been installed which will support the church and the wider community.
The honour came at a special time for Mary and Bill. The couple travelled to Worcester just days before celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary.
As she presented the Maundy Money, the Queen was accompanied by the Lord High Almoner - the Bishop of Worcester, the Rt Revd John Inge. He previously served in Newcastle Diocese as the vicar of St Luke’s, Wallsend, from 1990 to 1996.
Photos
Top: Mary and Jamie with their Maundy Money purses.
Middle: Jamie provided this image of the purses and money. 75p in small coins, consisting of 4p, 3p, 2p, and 1p coins; £5 coin and a 50p coin.
Bottom: Mary and her husband Bill.