We Will Remember Them

Remembrance Sunday began with heavy rain - but mercifully that had stopped by the time we left for church. Lots of people at the Service, including a contingent of British Legion, the local Scout Troop and people from the Parish Council.

Bob had prepared outline maps of Iraq and Afghanistan, and we were invited to come and post prayers on these - people responded really well to this

Some of the prayers were very moving, especially when you considered the ages of those who had written them

We watched things on the big screen...

...and with immaculate timing on Bob's part, tuned in live to the BBC just before the Queen led the Nation's Act Of Remembrance from the Cenotaph.

As part of the service, Bob also spoke about those who work to positively promote peace and friendship and showed us the new video from the East African Playground Team [see here]

Then after the service we walked down to the Village War Memorial for a brief service there.

This picture shows people just starting to arrive - by 11.55 the whole area was packed. The Scouts and Guides were there too, and Tom our Rector led the service.

This year was especially poignant as we have had a new slate carved for the right hand side of the memorial. The front lists the WW1 deaths, and on the left those from WW2 - and now we also have this

[I hope the blank space below stays blank for a long time]

The Dunsmore family were with us, and Tom said the prayer of dedication. After the 'official' wreaths had been placed, there was opportunity for personal crosses to be planted in the grass

I read this Bible passage from Revelation in the morning service

"Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away, and there was no longer any sea. I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband.

And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

He who was seated on the throne said, "I am making everything new!" Then he said, "Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true." He said to me: "It is done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who is thirsty I will give to drink without cost from the spring of the water of life."

There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain -  what a glorious hope!