CofE launches Jubilee events website

The Church of England has launched a new website to help people find their nearest community and parish events during the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

Churches across the country are planning street parties and other activities as part of the celebrations over the four-day holiday in June.

JubileeNearYou.com is based on a similar website run successfully by the Church of England last Christmas to direct people to local church services and festivities.

The Church of England's 16,000 churches are being invited to add details of their celebrations to the website.

Some parishes have decided to support other community events such as the Big Lunch, rather than host their own celebrations.

The extended Jubilee holiday culminates with a service of thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral on the morning of 5 June.

The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, and members of the Royal Family, will attend the service conducted by the Dean of St Paul’s, the Very Rev Dr David Ison. The sermon will be preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury.

A special prayer for the Diamond Jubilee will be included in the service.