BY DAKOTA TAIT
The community across Newcastle and the Hunter is being invited to a memorial service for the late Queen Elizabeth II on Wednesday evening.
The Anglican Diocese of Newcastle is running the service at 7:30pm.
Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen says there's been an outpouring of emotion since the Queen's passing.
"I suspect it will be busy," he said. "If it's anything to go by, we've had the memorial book since the end of last week, and that will remain open until the 23rd of September at our Digital Library."
"Hundreds of Novocastrians have taken the opportunity to come in, to sign the condolence book and leave their own personal message, and I'm sure that others will take advantage of the opportunity to come and reflect at Christ Church Cathedral this evening."
The service is expected to run for around an hour.
The Bishop of Newcastle Dr Peter Stuart will preach at the event, and there'll also be music with connections to the Royal Family, readings and psalms used in thanksgiving for the Queen's life, and an opportunity for members of the congregation to light candles.
The Dean of Newcastle, the Very Reverend Katherine Bowyer says it's an important moment for the community.
"We are expecting quite a large number to attend," she said. "We've been aware of many people coming to the Cathedral to sign the condolence book we have, to lay floral tributes."
"We've had lots of inquiries, and with a length of reign at 70 years, it's touched a lot of people's lives."
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| Deputy Lord Mayor Declan Clausen and the Dean of Newcastle Katherine Bowyer. |
