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The Coronation Chair

By Linda H. Barnette

Knowing that Charles III will soon be crowned the next ruler of England, I thought that perhaps an article about the history of the Coronation Chair is an appropriate topic of interest to some folks. The chair was commissioned by King Edward I in 1296 to contain the coronation stone of Scotland, which was captured from the Scots after a battle. It was named King Edward’s Chair after Edward the Confessor and used to be kept in his shrine in Westminster Abbey.

The chair is high-backed, designed in the Gothic style. It was built between 1297 and 1300 and is the oldest dated piece of furniture made by a known artist named Walter of Durham. Since the 1300’s all English monarchs have been seated in this chair at the time of coronation except for Mary II. Although the chair was at one time painted and gilded, only a few pieces of foliage and birds are still visible.  At the bottom are lions which symbolize kingship.

Only 2 times in history was the chair moved.  One was for a ceremony in Westminster Hall for the induction of Oliver Cromwell as Lord Protector and again during WWII when for safety reasons it was moved out of London.

Now the chair sets on a base in St. George’s Chapel and is moved to the place of coronations near the high altar of the Abbey.

I remember watching the crowning of Queen Elizabeth in 1953 and eventually got to see the Crown Jewels, including her crown, in the Tower of London. I also plan to watch the coronation of Charles III at some point after the Queen’s funeral. I have always been fascinated by the customs of England and by all of the royal pomp and circumstance. We are seeing much of it now with Elizabeth II’s death. .As my friend from England once said to the graduates at Queens College, “It is the ceremonies of life that make us civilized.”

Reflections

By E. Bishop

As summer fades and autumn begins, it is a great time to reflect back on what has taken place over these past several months and to contemplate what lies ahead.  The beginning of the new year was a rough start after our family lost a loved one and then many in the family catching that dreadful virus.  However, we were fortunate enough to get through those trying times to get a new start with only a few mishaps along the way.

Mishap, misfortune or you could call it a disaster.  Without my brother’s guidance this year, my gardening efforts were pathetic.  I didn’t have him telling me what I should do every step of the way.  My written instructions from his mentoring sessions were followed but somehow the weather and my ambition didn’t cooperate.  It’s good we don’t have to rely on food from our garden like our ancestors did.  The one good thing to be proud of was the abundance of sunflowers we had planted.

Other accomplishments to celebrate during this time include one niece learning to drive a tractor her daddy had left her and growing the biggest watermelons (to give away) just as he had done, another making jam from figs and muscadines her daddy had grown and along with the third, making sure their mother is well loved and cared for.  Other happenings included a quick trip with my sister to New Jersey for her to pick up two cats that our ill cousin can no longer care for; this is a true testament that family is important.  And, yet another important thing to mention is that we have a wedding to plan for that will take place in the new year.

Summer vacations are over, a new school year begins, routines get back to normal and many of us may see fall as something to savor.  It is a season of harvest and thankfulness, changing colors, cooler weather, a time for festivals and just in general, a beautiful time of year.   Don’t rush it like it seems all retailers do.  Let’s enjoy it.  Go to those apple festivals; take a ride through pumpkin growing territory and check out our local Cherry Hill Farms that won’t disappoint you with their assortment of pumpkins and other products.

Although my harvest (from the garden) was not that great this year, I’m grateful I can still look forward to trying again next year. The ground is waiting to be turned over for the winter and I have the seeds saved.  Maybe, I’ll even try a watermelon patch.

Tending the Vineyard

By Stephanie Williams Dean

From one season to the next, there’s work to be done in a vineyard. Soil preparation, setting the plants and vines, good planting practices, the trellis and posts, insect control, fertilization, and pruning – all are essential to good fruit quality and production of adequate fruit on the vines. When fruit quality is low and vines wane – more food is needed.

That’s true for all of us, too. There are times we need more food – of a spiritual nature. We are a constant work in progress – not fully grown or of the finest quality – not yet mature or ready for picking. We don’t just blossom where planted – we must work on ourselves, from the inside out – feeding, filling, and refilling our Spirit with nourishment.

And we have to pay attention to where we’re planted – our environment and that with which we surround ourselves. It might feel like much work, but Spiritual work will produce what we need most – peace and joy. And we’ll do more good work for our Father.

John 15 reads, “I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener, He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes so that it will be even more fruitful.” (NIV)

A new season’s approaching – it’s a good time to check the vines in our vineyards. There’s not a better time to tend to them, so we have more fruitful branches.

Speaking of new seasons, there’s an old Suzy Bogguss love song called “You Change Just like The Weather.” The lyrics go like this:

The wind is blowing from a new direction

You’re thinking ‘bout going, I know

It’s been a long season, and hard on our affections

But that’s no reason to let go

You change just like the weather

But the weather you know will always change

If you stay it’ll get better

Wherever you go, it’s bound to rain

So put on your jacket and stand your ground

Love’s gonna have its highs and lows

If we turn and face it, the wind will come around

You don’t have to chase it when it blows

So if you’re living through a “winter” period of your life – don’t waiver and stand strong. We don’t need to chase the wind. Turn and face them – focus on your spiritual growth. Find your peace – and regain your joy. Keep doing your good works.