Street party in the aisles and bacon sandwiches too at Southsea church

A previous royal street party at St Judes Church.

WE WILL be celebrating the Queen’s official birthday next month and we’d love you to join us.

The Queen was 90 in April, but her official birthday is always celebrated in June.

This year churches have been urged to mark the event by throwing parties that will unite their communities.

We’ll be doing that at St Jude’s Church, at the top of Southsea’s shopping precinct, and you’re all invited to join in our celebrations on Sunday, June 12.

We’re marking the occasion not just because she is Supreme Governor of the Church of England. It’s also to honour her lifelong devotion to serving the people of our nation and the Commonwealth and to mark her personal faith in the God who inspires her.

First we’ll be having our regular Funday Sunday event from 10.30am in the style of a royal street party. This will include real coffee, bacon sandwiches, some royal-themed children’s activities and the chance to read the Sunday papers.

Families can come dressed in red, white and blue and we’ll cut a big cake to mark the Queen’s birthday amid the flags and bunting.

If you have young children and want something fun and lively to do that morning, you can join 300 or so others in a party atmosphere.

Then, from 4pm, we’re holding our regular Come and See service – an opportunity for our congregation members to invite their friends to a more traditional service at our church.

Our Service of Celebration and Thanksgiving has been approved by Buckingham Palace and will be similar to other services taking place across the country that day.

It will include special prayers approved by the Queen and the chance to reflect on her life of devoted service.

We’ll be welcoming back a former vicar, Canon John Byrne, who is also a Chaplain to the Queen. He has the honour of leading services at Windsor Castle from time to time for the royal household.

Afterwards there’ll be tea and cakes, and another party atmosphere, as we celebrate the Queen’s Christian service to the nation. Do join us if you can.