Pastor Bruce Rienstra of the English Church in Haarlem is moved by the death of the British Queen Elizabeth II. According to the pastor, the queen spoke openly about what faith meant to her and this is the end of an era. He will hold a prayer service in his church tomorrow and there will be a condolence register that people can sign.
“She has sat on the throne for seventy years and so many people have been born and died during this period. Many have only known her as queen. She spoke openly about her faith and how it has helped her through difficult times. I am very special about her,” says Rienstra.
In tears
“It’s really moving. When someone has been on the throne for seventy years and then is no longer there, that does something to a person. We spoke to family in England and they were in tears. She brought so much continuity.”
Queen Elizabeth was the head of the English Church, and every pastor takes an oath to the Queen. Until last year, Rienstra led a parish in England, and Rienstra suspects that public life will largely come to a standstill.
From 10:00 there is an opportunity to sign the condolence register. The prayer service starts at 11:30 am.