MEMORIAL SERVICE

Jeremy Alexander

20th September 1941 - 15th June 2023

On Wednesday 20th September, 2023 at 11:30am a service of thanksgiving for the life of Jeremy Alexander was held at St Bride’s Church, Fleet Street.
Download Order of Service (pdf)

Introduction

The Revd Canon Dr Alison Joyce delivered the opening:

A very warm welcome to St Bride’s as we come together to honour the memory and to celebrate the life of a truly remarkable man, outstanding even within a profession that is renowned for its exceptional characters.

Jeremy Alexander was not only a consummate professional and an extraordinarily gifted writer; he was also a man of immense kindness and charm, who inspired the love and affection of those who knew him, and the deep respect of those privileged to work alongside him.

So it is with sadness, but above all with joy and gratitude that we remember him with thanksgiving today, here at the Journalists’ Church, on what would have been his 82nd birthday.

We shall have as few announcements as possible during this service, so if you would please stand for the hymns and sit for just about everything else, you will not go far wrong.

Our opening prayer is from the Celtic tradition.

Let us pray:

May the raindrops fall lightly on your brow.
May the soft winds freshen your spirit.
May the sunshine brighten your heart.
May the burdens of the day rest lightly upon you.
And may God enfold you in the mantle of his love.
May you have the blessing of being consoled.
May you know in your soul that there is no need to be afraid.
When your time comes, may you be given
every blessing and shelter that you need.
And may there be a beautiful welcome for you
in the home that awaits you.
In Christ’s name we pray. Amen.

Addresses

Rod Alexander

Matthew Engel

Readings

Alex Davis, Jeremy’s godson, read Matthew 5: 3-10, 14-16

3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.

5 “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.

6 “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.

7 “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.

8 “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.

9 “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.

10 “Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hid. 15 Nor do men light a lamp and put it under a bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. 16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

Judy Harvey read On the death of the beloved by John O’Donohue

Though we need to weep your loss,
You dwell in that safe place in our hearts,
Where no storm or night or pain can reach you.

Your love was like the dawn
Brightening over our lives
Awakening beneath the dark
A further adventure of colour.

The sound of your voice
Found for us
A new music
That brightened everything.

Whatever you enfolded in your gaze
Quickened in the joy of its being;
You placed smiles like flowers
On the altar of the heart.
Your mind always sparkled
With wonder at things.

Though your days here were brief,
Your spirit was live, awake, complete.

We look towards each other no longer
From the old distance of our names;
Now you dwell inside the rhythm of breath,
As close to us as we are to ourselves.

Though we cannot see you with outward eyes,
We know our soul’s gaze is upon your face,
Smiling back at us from within everything
To which we bring our best refinement.

Let us not look for you only in memory,
Where we would grow lonely without you.
You would want us to find you in presence,
Beside us when beauty brightens,
When kindness glows
And music echoes eternal tones.

When orchids brighten the earth,
Darkest winter has turned to spring;
May this dark grief flower with hope
In every heart that loves you.

May you continue to inspire us:

To enter each day with a generous heart.
To serve the call of courage and love
Until we see your beautiful face again
In that land where there is no more separation,
Where all tears will be wiped from our mind,
And where we will never lose you again.

Will Woodward, Head of Sport, The Guardian, read Wycombe savour survival by Jeremy Alexander

Music

The choir & organist of St Bride’s performed the following anthems and songs:

In paradisum from Requiem – Gabriel Fauré
Laudate Dominum – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Es ist ein Ros entsprungen – Michael Praetorius
Kyrie from St Nicholas Mass – Joseph Haydn
Heil sei euch Geweihten from The Magic Flute – Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Triumphal march from Aida – Giuseppe Verdi

Music

Love divine, all loves excelling
Be still, my soul
Guide me, O thou great redeemer

Obituaries

congregation sitting for service

STAY UP TO DATE
WITH NEWS FROM ST BRIDE’S

Subscribe to our newsletter to receive alerts for
events and advance information about seasonal services.

We protect your data and never overwhelm your inbox.

SUBSCRIBE