As I sit here writing this letter, I look out of my study window and watch the leaves falling from the trees, a sign of the changing season. It is at this time of year that our thoughts naturally turn towards the act of remembering. On 11th November, we collectively pause to remember the lives lost in both world wars, as well as the countless individuals affected by conflicts that have occurred since.
On Remembrance Sunday, people gather in churches, other places of worship, and at war memorials across the country. These gatherings are a time to give thanks and to remember the sacrifices made by so many. Across our benefice there will be services with Acts of Remembrance, the details of which can be found in the service listing and Remembrance poster. At Risby and Barrow, processions will move from the Church to the War Memorial on the village green, culminating in an Act of Remembrance and a two-minute silence at 11:00 am.
We come together to give thanks for extraordinary acts of courage and selflessness. It is a time to honour and remember those who made sacrifices that have secured the peace we enjoy today. We recall with gratitude those who gave their lives during the First World War (1914-1918) and the Second World War (1939-1945). We also remember those who have lost their lives in subsequent conflicts, including the wars in Korea, the Falklands, the Gulf, Iraq, Afghanistan, and the ongoing wars in regions such as Russia and Ukraine, Isreal and Gaza.
Remembering is a vital part of this annual act of thanksgiving. To remember—and not to forget—is to recommit ourselves to caring for the living and to supporting the common cause of peace. The bible provides many examples of God’s people being called to remember the Lord who created and loves them, and to remember that they—and we—are deeply loved by God. The prophet Isaiah reassures us that even if we forget, God’s promise is always to remember: “your name is written on the palms of my hands” (Isaiah 49:16).
God knows and remembers every act of love and sacrifice, both past and present, regardless of whether these acts are widely known or recognised only by a few. Even as our own memories may fade, we can be confident that our loved ones—and all who laid down their lives—are remembered and loved by God. This year, as we gather to honour those who gave their tomorrows for our todays, let us find comfort in God’s promise of remembrance. May this bring each of us a renewed sense of hope, peace, and joy.
Blessings
Revd Nicola
