His Majesty King Charles will today personally thank Church of Scotland members for their outstanding Christian service and for making a difference to the lives of people in their local communities.
Ruby Davidson, Christopher Hill and Anne Croft will be presented with symbolic silver coins as part of the annual Royal Maundy service at St Asaph Cathedral in North Wales.
They said they were surprised, honoured and humbled to be nominated for the gift and bursting with pride and gratitude.
Maundy Thursday is the Christian holy day falling on the Thursday before Easter, an historic occasion dating back around 800 years which symbolises humility, care, kindness and appreciation of others.
It commemorates the Last Supper and the Maundy, which comes from the Latin word mandatum, which means command or commandment, taking its meaning from Jesus Christ’s instruction that his followers should love one another, ‘as I have loved you’.
The distribution of alms and the washing of the feet on the Thursday of Holy Week are an ancient tradition.
Ruby, session clerk at Trinity Parish Church in Strathaven, South Lanarkshire, Christopher, known as Chris, a member of the recently united Balmerino, Creich, Flisk, Kilmany and Wormit Church in Fife, and Anne, a member of Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, were nominated by Very Rev Professor David Fergusson, Dean of the Chapel Royal.
Professor Fergusson said receiving the King’s Maundy gift is a moment of celebration and thanksgiving, a reminder of the strength of the local church and the dedication of the “whole people of God to its work”.
Ruby, Chris and Anne will be gifted two purses each – one red and one white.
In the white purse will be a set of specially minted silver Maundy coins totalling 77 pennies, to match The King’s age, and in the red purse will be a £5 coin commemorating 100 years since the late HM Queen Elizabeth’s birth, and a 50p coin that celebrates the 50th anniversary of The King’s Trust.
Ruby is a retired depute head teacher who worked with hearing-impaired students and has faithfully served the Girls’ Brigade movement.
“I was very surprised when I received the invitation to be a Maundy recipient, and I accept it with pride, gratitude and humility,” she said.
“My journey in faith began as a child in the Girls’ Brigade in East Kilbride and has continued in Strathaven.
“The Girls’ Brigade motto, ‘Seek, Serve and Follow Christ’ quietly shaped the way I’ve tried to live.
“Over the years, I’ve simply tried to carry that spirit into the life of the church — whether through Girls’ Brigade, Sunday School, safeguarding work or in the responsibilities of the session clerk.
“Each role has been less about titles and more about being part of a community that supports one another and tries, in small ways, to reflect Christ’s love.
“I’m deeply aware of the many people who have guided, encouraged, and walked alongside me, and I’m thankful for the chance to serve among them.”
Christoper is a former meteorologist with the Royal Air Force (RAF).
He served as the session clerk at Balmerino Church for many years before the parish joined the union and was the chief organiser/manager of the church and hall during a long period when the congregation was without a full-time minister, including the challenging COVID-19 pandemic era.
Chris said: “It was such a surprise to receive a letter from Buckingham Palace with an invitation to receive Maundy money from the Monarch and I feel privileged to be chosen as a recipient of this award.
“It is very humbling to be honoured in this way.”
Chris was an active member of negotiation groups, considering and implementing the union of local rural churches and volunteered at Gauldry Thursday Cafe, a place where locals can have lunch and spend time with one another.
The first Maundy Money giving ceremony dates back to 1662.
King Charles will be accompanied at the service today her by Her Majesty Queen Camilla and will present the Royal Maundy gifts to approximately 77 men and 77 women, mostly from Wales.
Professor Fergusson, who leads a team of Royal Chaplains, said: “Although it is an Anglican event, people from across churches in the UK, including Scotland, will be honoured.
“This year’s service at St Asaph Cathedral will naturally have a strong Welsh representation.
“These recipients have served their churches and communities in unheralded but important ways over many years.
“They remind us of the strength of the local church and the dedication of the whole people of God to its work.
“We trust that this will be a happy and memorable occasion for our Maundy recipients.”
This is the first time the Royal Maundy service has been held in North Wales, and only the second time ever in the country, in the 800-year history of Maundy.
It will feature specially commissioned music by Welsh composers and musicians and see the use of the processional Cross of Wales, a gift from King Charles to the Christians of Wales.