November 2007

Remember, remember…

Sixteen years ago, when I was just beginning as a curate in Norwich, there was talk about Remembrance Day services dying out. Some people felt that the two world wars happened a long time ago, and to keep harping on about what happened then was either no longer relevant, or just pandering to militaristic nationalism.

Since then things have changed. The flood of films and programmes about the world wars - with Atonement being the latest - show that these cataclysmic events are still highly significant for us. Many schools run trips to visit the World War One battlefields or the Normandy beaches - and the students who go are often shaken and moved by the experience.

And war itself is no longer to be a distant event in the past or something that involves other countries. Our military involvement in Iraq has been one of the defining issues of our time. Thankfully, there have been less British casualties from Iraq in recent months, but there are many days in which the news begins with further casualties in Afghanistan. For those serving in our Armed Services, the human cost of warfare is very immediate - many will know someone who has been injured or killed. And all those serving in areas of conflict overseas will have seen the devastation brought to those countries, and the terrible hardship and loss among innocent civilians there.

So now, having one day each year when we remember those who have given their lives in times of conflict, and when we face the reality of war, seems no longer to be irrelevant. And involving young people as well as those who remember such things themselves seems to be very important. It is a chance to appreciate the peace we know here, and to be thankful to those who bore the cost of that peace. It is also an opportunity to think seriously about what it means to engage in armed conflict in our own time - because those decisions will continue to be important in the future. And it is a chance to pray for peace.

For this reason, I hope that many of you will be able to share in some form of Remembrance, perhaps at one of our local churches, or through the television. We are holding a Service of Remembrance at St. Nicholas’ Church on Sunday 11th November, at 9.30am. This will be a service for all, with young people’s groups particularly invited.

After the service we will gather at about 10.30am to walk down to the village War Memorial on Station Road. There an Act of Remembrance will be held at about 10.45am, including the laying of wreaths and two minutes silence. We hope that you may be able to join us for the service first, but if not, then of course all are welcome at the Memorial.

Blessings,

SIMON WITCOMBE