On Saturday 12th February 2022, the Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr Margaret Gateley, held her Civic Service at St. Peter and St. Paul’s Church, Buckingham. The theme of the service was thanksgiving for Health and Care Workers during the Pandemic.
The Mayor invited several workers from local hospitals and care settings, to speak in the service and relay their experiences during this time. These included Dr. Gavriel of The Swan Practice, and Mrs. Lynn Billingham, the Voluntary Chaplain at Buckingham Hospital. Hymns and prayers were led by Rev’d Tim Edworthy, the Mayor’s Chaplain including the dedication prayer:
We, the people of Buckingham and beyond, rededicate ourselves to the service of others. Over the coming year, help us to acknowledge the value of all people: those who are rich and those who are less well off: the young and the old, the articulate and the silent, the active and the isolated, those who are troubled in mind, body or spirit.
We ask your blessing on all who work for others in our community. We thank you for the many things that make us proud to call this town our home, and we ask you to continue to bless us with your gifts.
Amen.
Guests included Cllr. Zahir Mohammed, Chair of Buckinghamshire Council, George Anson, High Sheriff of Buckinghamshire, Carolyn Cumming, Deputy Lord Lieutenant, Greg Smith, MP for Buckingham, and a number of local Mayors.
The Mayor of Buckingham, Cllr. Margaret Gateley said: “The Civic Service on February 12th at Buckingham Parish Church gave us the opportunity to thank our Health and Social Care workers for their fantastic efforts during the difficult time of the pandemic. Representatives who came included those from the Swan Practice, Buckingham Community Hospital and many voluntary groups, all of whom brought light and hope during the dark time of Covid restrictions. My thanks to all involved, especially Revd Tim Edworthy, who led the service.”