A Word from one of our ministers
Dear Friends,
As the autumn leaves change colour and fall and the days grow shorter, we find ourselves once again in the season of Remembrance —a time marked by solemn reflection and heartfelt gratitude. Remembrance Day itself invites us to pause, remember, and honour those who have served and sacrificed in conflicts past, as well as those who continue to serve our country in times of need. Whether in moments of war or peace, their courage and dedication have helped to shape the world we live in.
That peace, so hard won is yet so fragile, and we can see this so readily in the world around us. Every time we pick up our newspapers or turn on the news, we see fresh atrocities somewhere in the world that remind us that this is so. And with wars in the Middle East and in Europe, and threats of war abounding our world is such a fragile place right now.
Within our church community and the wider nation, Remembrance Sunday has never been so important. It is a call to remember the cost of freedom, the pain of loss, and the enduring hope for peace. As we wear our poppies and stand in silence on the day itself, we acknowledge the stories behind each name that we hear or come into our minds—lives lived, dreams pursued, and families forever changed. We remember not only the soldiers on the front lines but also those whose lives were touched by conflict in countless, often unseen ways too.
On recent visits to France and Belgium Mandy and I have taken the opportunity to visit some of the war cemeteries that are along the coastline. I remember going to the US Ardennes Cemetery, and standing at one end looking to the other, row upon row of headstones, each commemorating a loss, and each with a story behind of immense courage and bravery. And maybe for the first time the scale of the wars and the loss of life associated with them hit me. Before it had just been numbers, now not so. I had to hold back the tears for these men, who are unknown to me, but who won for you and I the peace and freedom we have been guilty of taking for granted.
We visited another cemetery, a Canadian one at Beny-sur-Mer where we saw a similar site, but my eyes were drawn to the grave of a Padre, Walter Leslie Brown. On the 3 June 1944 he boarded a transport ship bound for Normandy, as the seas became rough around them he moved among the troops on board to offer comfort and prayer to these men who knew the horror that awaited them on the “other” side of their journey. Walter was the first Canadian Padre to land at Juno beach on the 6th June 1944 carrying with him only a suitcase in which was everything he needed to be able to minister to and support the men whom he had been called to serve. Sadly, on the 7th June as Walter was delivering supplies to the men who were fighting, the jeep in which he was travelling was intercepted by Hitler Youth forces who were under orders not to take any prisoners. The corporal he was with was killed instantly. Walter was taken, but soon afterwards was executed, his body dumped by the side of the road, where it was found weeks later, and identified by his suitcase which was beside him. A very moving story that I happened across, one of many in that cemetery.
Remembrance can’t simply be about looking back. It is about letting the lessons of history guide us as we move forward. The world, as we know, faces new challenges and uncertainties. In the midst of global unrest, wars in the Middle East, and on our doorstep in Europe again, as well as in other parts of the world. There are Tyrants Rising and gaining power, as well as hard right wing politics gaining popularity. There are our own personal struggles, and social divisions too. Now, perhaps more than ever, the values of compassion, sacrifice, and unity feel more important.
What might it mean for us, as followers of Christ, to carry the spirit of remembrance into the future? What is ours to do as individuals and churches should war become part of our lived experience again? Perhaps it all begins with a renewed commitment to peace—both in our hearts and in our community. The message of the Gospel calls us to be peacemakers, bridge-builders, and advocates for justice.
As we remember those who have gone before us, let us also be inspired to act with courage and kindness in our daily lives. Let every act of service, every word of encouragement, and every prayer for healing be a living tribute to the legacy of the fallen who we honour at this time of year. As a church, we have the unique opportunity to be a beacon of hope for those around us. Let us then, look to the future with faith, trusting that God is working in and through us to bring about a world marked by reconciliation and love.
May our remembrance this year, open our hearts to new possibilities—opportunities to serve, to comfort, to listen, and to grow together as a family united in Christ. And, in the coming weeks, as we look ahead to Advent and the promise of new beginnings, may we carry forward the lessons of remembrance. Let us continue to pray for peace in our world, healing in our communities, and strength for all who feel the burdens of the past. And let us step forward together, confident that the God who holds our memories also holds our future in His loving hands.
God Bless everyone,
Rev Tony