York Minster will welcoming Their Majesties The King and The Queen Consort when it will be hosting the first Royal Maundy service in the reign of His Majesty King Charles III on Thursday 6 April 2023.
74 men and 74 women (signifying the age of the Monarch) selected from Church of England dioceses across the country, and Anglican and Ecumenical partners across the UK, will receive the Maundy Money, a gift from The King, to thank them for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.
Maundy Thursday commemorates Jesus Christ washing the feet of his disciples at the Last Supper. The service is rooted in the ancient history and traditions of the church.
Taking place in Holy Week, this historic service symbolises, humility, care, kindness and appreciation of others. The King’s Maundy gift will be a moment of celebration and thanksgiving for 148 exceptional people who have made an impact in their communities.
Among the recipients will be two Island residents:
Sandra Anderson who is a very dedicated Church Warden at St Olave’s Church in Ramsey. Sandra organises very popular community monthly lunches for which she does most of the cooking and training of volunteers who support this good work. Funds for all of this are raised through sales of hand-made crafts. Sandra said of her nomination, ‘I’m really looking forward to going to York for this wonderful historic occasion and I’m really rather excited. I was really surprised to be nominated and I’m sure it will be a joyous time and something I’ll always remember.’
Dave Corkill has given a life of active service to the church and to the wider community. He is still an active member of the Knights of St Columba and a regular voice in the choir at St Mary’s in Douglas. Dave has been described as a discrete and reliable first port of call for routine tasks. Dave said of his nomination and the visit to York, ‘I really didn’t know what to say when I was told, it was indeed a very special surprise and I was really astounded. I’m quite looking forward to the service and ceremony in the Minster in York in the presence of King Charles.’
Each of the recipients including Sandra and Dave will be given the red and white purses containing the Maundy coins.
The white purse will contain a set of minted silver Maundy coins valued to the age of the King and the red purse will contain commemorative coins, signifying the Sovereign’s historic gift of food and clothing.
One will celebrate His Majesty’s forthcoming 75th birthday and the other will commemorate the 75th anniversary of the Windrush Generation.
The late Queen Elizabeth II distributed the Royal Maundy at York Minster on two occasions: first on 30 March 1972 and again on 5 April 2012, during her Diamond Jubilee Year.
