A bishop has said the Queen's Golden Jubilee is a chance to share the monarch's theme of embracing change rather than resisting it.

In his Golden Jubilee message, the Bishop of Ripon and Leeds, the Right Reverend John Packer, said it was a time for ensuring change was used for the benefit of all.

There was much to be thankful for over the past 50 years. He cited greater openness to one another, movement from colonialism to independence in the Common wealth, scientific, healthcare and educational development.

But it was also a time to reflect on failures, to achieve peace in the world, combat environmental damage and share the good news of Jesus Christ more widely.

"The Queen's Jubilee celebrations are a particular cause for grateful reflection and a resonant inspiration for the future," said the bishop.

A Golden Jubilee, he said, was a proper jubilee.

"However much the term has now become used to refer to all sorts of anniversaries, its origins lie in the year of freedom every fiftieth year in the book of Leviticus," he said.

Churches and communities would be thankful for all that had been good in the past 50 years.