here - Coventry Cathedral

A Civic Service to Commemorate
the 70th Anniversary of
the Coventry Blitz
Remembrance Sunday
14th November 2010 at 6pm

It is with great pleasure that I
welcome you to this civic service
marking the 70th anniversary to the
day of the bombing of our city by
enemy forces during World War
Two.
I am particularly delighted that so
many children and young people
from Coventry have contributed to
this service – whether through the
making of the 1,085 flowers that will
be distributed or more directly
through speaking and singing.
I hope that our evening of reflecting on the past will encourage
and inspire each of us to face the future with renewed hope and
determination. Thank you for joining me for this special moment
in our city’s history.
Councillor Brian Kelsey
Lord Mayor of Coventry
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Welcome to this civic service during which we will look back to the events of exactly
70 years ago, when the centre of Coventry was destroyed by enemy air raids during
the Second World War. But this service is not only about commemorating the past.
We will also take the opportunity to celebrate the peace, justice and reconciliation
which Coventry’s city and cathedral stand for today and to commit ourselves afresh to
working for the harmony and happiness of all the world’s citizens on into the future.
During this service, the Boys and Clerks of the Choir of Coventry Cathedral are
conducted by Kerry Beaumont, Director of Music. The organist is Alistair Reid,
Assistant Director of Music.
At 5.57 pm, please remain SEATED as the Standard Bearers, escorted by
children from Coventry, take their places in the Centre Aisle of the Nave and the
choir moves from the North Aisle to the West Screen.
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Peace Bell
At 6.00 pm the Coventry Peace Bell is sounded. This was presented to the late
Queen Mother by the President of Germany as a gift from the German nation at a
Service of Reconciliation here in the Cathedral on November 14th 1990
Please STAND to sing as the procession enters from the West Screen
A Verger
The Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Coventry
The Lord Lieutenant of the West Midlands
The Leader of the Council, Councillor J Mutton and Councillor Mrs M Mutton
The Honorary Recorder, His Honour Judge C Hodson and Dr J Hodson
The Chief Executive, Mr M Reeves
Civic dignitaries from neighbouring local authorities
Civic dignitaries from Dresden, Kiel and Volgograd
Representatives of the Community of the Cross of Nails in Germany
A Verger
The Cross of Nails
Two Candlebearers
The Choir

The Head Verger
The Cathedral Readers and Assistant Clergy
The Cathedral Executive Director
Members of the College of Canons
The Dean
The Banners of the See of Coventry
The Lord Bishop
The Bishop’s Chaplain
All people that on earth do dwell,
sing to the Lord with cheerful voice:
him serve with mirth, his praise forth tell,
come ye before him and rejoice.
The Lord, ye know, is God indeed;
without our aid he did us make:
we are his folk, he doth us feed,
and for his sheep he doth us take.
O enter then his gates with praise,
approach with joy his courts unto;
praise, laud, and bless his Name always,
for it is seemly so to do.
For why? the Lord our God is good,
his mercy is for ever sure;
his truth at all times firmly stood,
and shall from age to age endure.
To Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
the God whom heaven and earth adore,
from men and from the angel host
be praise and glory evermore.
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Processional Hymn
William Kethe (d.1594)
Tune CP 369 Old Hundredth Genevan Psalter (1551)
arranged by Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)

Everyone remains STANDING until the Union Flag has been placed on the
High Altar and then everyone SITS
Welcome and Bidding Prayer
introduced by the Dean of Coventry, The Very Reverend John Irvine
In the name of our living Lord Jesus Christ, I welcome you
today to this Cathedral Church of Saint Michael in Coventry.
We gather to recall the events of seventy years ago, when much
of the City of Coventry, including her medieval Cathedral, was
destroyed by enemy action. Many lost their lives and many
more were injured. Numerous homes and businesses were
obliterated. Many here today bring painful memories of those
days in 1940 and 1941, when our City and her people suffered
so terribly.
Although there is much to commemorate today, there is also
much to celebrate. For the destruction of so much of our City
did not destroy the soul of her citizens. In the ruins of the
Cathedral, the Charred Cross, the Cross of Nails and the words
FATHER FORGIVE spoke of the hope of a brighter future in
which reconstruction and reconciliation were to rise above the
tragedy of war.
Today we recall with sorrow the horror of war and we
remember those who suffered and who continue to suffer as its
victims. But we also celebrate our friendship with former
enemies and the fruits of working together for the benefit of all.
And as we pray for the resolution of the conflicts which
continue to blight the world today, we also renew our own
commitment to work for peace, justice and reconciliation for
the whole human family.
As we await the coming in full of God’s perfect kingdom, let us
pray with confidence as Jesus taught us.
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Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come;
thy will be done;
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation;
but deliver us from evil.
For thine is the kingdom,
the power and the glory,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
Everyone remains SEATED or KNEELS
The Litany of Reconciliation
The Precentor, the Reverend Canon Dr David Stone, introduces the Litany of
Reconciliation. This is prayed at noon every weekday, either in the new Cathedral or
in the ruins, and is used all over the world by the Community of the Cross of Nails.
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race,
class from class.
Father Forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is
not their own.
Father Forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays
waste the earth.
Father Forgive.
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Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others.
Father Forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless,
the refugee.
Father Forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and
children.
Father Forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God.
Father Forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another,
as God in Christ forgave you.
Everyone SITS or remains SEATED
Recollection and Bible Reading
The Lord Mayor of Coventry, Councillor Brian Kelsey, is verged to the Great
Lectern and George Rawlinson, who is eight years old, the age the Lord Mayor
himself was during the blitz, moves to the Chancel Steps. George reads a personal
recollection by the Lord Mayor of the events of November 14th 1940. The Lord
Mayor then reads from the Gospel according to Luke
Jesus says:
I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those
who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who
abuse you. If anyone strikes you on the cheek, offer the other
also; and from anyone who takes away your coat do not
withhold even your shirt. Give to everyone who begs from you;
and if anyone takes away your goods, do not ask for them again.
Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love
those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners
love those who love them. If you do good to those who do
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good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the
same. If you lend to those from whom you hope to receive,
what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, to
receive as much again. But love your enemies, do good, and
lend, expecting nothing in return. Your reward will be great, and
you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind to the
ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is
merciful.
Luke 6.27-36
At the end the Lord Mayor says
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Everyone STANDS
Hymn
Make me a channel of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me bring your love;
where there is injury, your pardon, Lord;
and where there’s doubt, true faith in you.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.
Make me a channel of your peace,
Where there’s despair in life, let me bring hope;
where there is darkness, only light;
and where there’s sadness, ever joy.
Oh, Master, grant that I may never seek
so much to be consoled as to console;
to be understood as to understand;
to be loved, as to love with all my soul.
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Make me a channel of your peace.
It is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
in giving to all men that we receive;
and in dying that we’re born to eternal life.
Sebastian Temple (1928-1997), from a prayer of St. Francis of Assisi (c.1182-1226)
Tune CP 519 Channel of Peace Sebastian Temple (1928-1997)
arranged by William Llewellyn (b.1925)
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Address
given by the Cathedral’s Director for Reconciliation Ministry, Canon David Porter
Please remain STANDING until the speaker has prayed, then SIT
After the address the speaker is verged back to his seat, and time is kept for
reflection
Prayers
Everyone remains SEATED or KNEELS for the prayers, which are led by three
generations of a single family – George Haynes, Elizabeth Haynes and Joy
Wagstaff.
This response is used
Lord of our past, our present and our future,
make known your love and hear our prayer.
Act of Commemoration
Local children come to the front of the Nave to collect 1,085 flowers made by the
children of Coventry to commemorate the number of those who, according to the
Coventry ‘Roll of Honour’, died in the Coventry air raids. As they bring them to the
congregation, you are invited, while supplies last, to help yourself to a flower as a
keepsake and then pass the basket on to your neighbour.

The choir sings
How lovely are thy dwellings fair, O Lord of hosts. My soul ever longeth
and fainteth sore for the blest courts of the Lord; my heart and flesh do
cry to God, cry to the living God. O blest are they that in thy house are
dwelling; they ever praise thee, O Lord, praise thee for evermore.
words from Psalm 84
music by Johannes Brahms (1833-1897), from the Requiem
Everyone STANDS
Act of Dedication
The Lord Mayor’s Cadets come to the Chancel Steps and read this updated version
of the 1990 Peace Declaration
Flight Sergeant Richard Hulm (Air Training Corps) says
As we stand in this place, destroyed seventy years ago, and now
rebuilt, we remember with sorrow the suffering caused by war.
We recall the tragedy of so many who have lost their lives in the
armed conflicts which have scarred the human family. We
acknowledge the part that humanity has played in creating a
world in which inhumanity, injustice and war do violence to this
good earth that God has made.
Petty Officer Cadet Liam Sinclair (Sea Cadets) says
So we, the citizens of Coventry, resolve to do all in our power
to ensure that war never again destroys the lives of individuals
and communities in our world. We have experienced the
healing of relationships with our former enemies. We believe in
the possibility of reconciliation, mutual forgiveness, and the
building up of friendship and trust between nations and
peoples. We call upon all nations of the world to resolve their
differences by peaceful means. We call attention to the specific
role of the United Nations in this respect.
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Lance Corporal Louis Warner (Army Cadet Force) says
Above all, we pledge ourselves today to live peacefully with all
men, women and children as our neighbours, in the hope and
prayer that God may, indeed, grant peace in our time to the
whole human family.
They then introduce the Universal Prayer for Peace
Lead me from death to life,
from falsehood to truth;
lead me from despair to hope,
from fear to trust;
lead me from hate to love,
from war to peace.
Let peace fill our heart,
our world, our universe.
The Standard Bearers move to the West Screen as everyone sings
Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,
urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,
sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided,
Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.
Lord, for that word, the word of life which fires us,
speaks to our hearts and sets our souls ablaze,
teaches and trains, rebukes us and inspires us,
Lord of the word, receive your people’s praise.
Lord, for our land, in this our generation,
spirits oppressed by pleasure, wealth and care;
for young and old, for commonwealth and nation,
Lord of our land, be pleased to hear our prayer.
Hymn
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Lord, for our world; when we disown and doubt him,
loveless in strength, and comfortless in pain;
hungry and helpless, lost indeed without him,
Lord of the world, we pray that Christ may reign.
Lord, for ourselves; in living power remake us,
self on the cross and Christ upon the throne;
past put behind us, for the future take us,
Lord of our lives, to live for Christ alone.
Timothy Dudley-Smith (b.1926)
Tune CP 81 Lord of the Years Michael Baughen (b.1930)
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Blessing
Everyone remains STANDING as the Bishop of Coventry is verged to the High
Altar and gives the blessing
Go forth into the world in peace;
be of good courage;
hold fast that which is good;
render to no one evil for evil;
strengthen the fainthearted; support the weak;
help the afflicted; honour everyone;
love and serve the Lord,
rejoicing in the power of the Holy Spirit;
and the blessing of God almighty,
the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit,
be among you and remain with you always.
Amen.
Everyone remains in their places as, led by the cross and choir, the cathedral and
civic processions move to the West Screen and out to the ruins of the old Cathedral.
Everyone is invited to TURN as the processions pass and then follow IN
SILENCE as the first movement of Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata is played by
Kerry Beaumont. The air raid which took place on the night of November 14th was
code-named Operation Mondscheinsonate (Moonlight Sonata).

Act of Remembrance in the Ruins
Those in the civic and cathedral processions gather round the altar of rubble in the
chancel of the ruined Cathedral, facing the Charred Cross
At 7.15 pm, the time bombers first appeared over the city, the Dean says
In a few moments the sirens will sound the air raid warning, to
be followed by two minutes silence, before the all clear sounds
and the bells will ring out from this Cathedral across the city
and diocese.
He pauses and then continues
We gather at the time the bombers first appeared over the city,
to remember those who fought to save their city and its
Cathedral on this night 70 years ago; and to reflect on their
struggle to provide rescue, comfort and shelter to those whose
homes were lost and whose lives were destroyed by
bereavement and injury.
The Lord Mayor, speaking as a blitz survivor, says
As first citizen and survivor of the blitz, I invite you to join me
in honouring the memory and sacrifice of all who suffered in
the bombing of our city, by committing ourselves afresh to
work for reconciliation between the nations, that all people may
live in freedom, justice and peace.
The Bishop says the words of remembrance
We remember with thanksgiving and sorrow those civilians and
members of the civilian services, whose lives, in world wars and
conflicts past and present, have been given and taken away.
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They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old; age shall
not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of
the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.
We will remember them.
At 7.20 pm, the siren sounds the Air Raid Warning. This is followed by two
minutes silence before the siren sounds the All Clear. As the Cathedral Bells are
rung, the civic and cathedral processions move back into the new Cathedral
At 7.30 pm, the Cathedral bells are joined by the bells of the city and throughout
the diocese and are rung until 7.45 pm
The Cathedral and ruins will remain open until midnight. At regular intervals
throughout the evening local choirs, poets and artists will lead short reflections in the
new Cathedral, and there will be a light display in the ruins. All are welcome to
spend time in this special space in the centre of Coventry to light a candle, to reflect
and to remember
7.45 pm – Bluecoat Community Choir under the direction of
Norman Owen, bringing together pupils, parents and teachers from the
Bluecoat School, Coventry
8.10 pm – Amici, a 16-voice ensemble under the direction of Kerry
Beaumont, formed this year in association with the Friends of Coventry
Cathedral to build positive relationships and promote the best in choral
performance within the City and Diocese of Coventry
8.30 pm – Post Colonial War Requiem, a specially commissioned
piece to reflect on the involvement of the Sikh community as they
supported the British war effort
9.00 pm – The Notables: a Coventry band formed in 1997 which
includes learning disabled adults
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9.30 pm – Kristy Gallagher: local singer songwriter performs carefully
crafted songs
10.00 pm – Tammy James is from Coventry and will sing a selection
of songs made famous by Dame Vera Lynn
10.30 pm – A second chance to hear Amici
11.00 pm – Tim and Laurel: two young musicians sing reflective
songs
11.30 pm – A specially commissioned piece of music called Coventry:
A Meditation for string quartet. Composed by the Czech composer
Vilém Tauský (1910-2004). Recorded by the Alberni Quartet in 1993
Roy Ray and Terry Duffy (artists whose work is currently on display
in the Cathedral), together with BBC Coventry and Warwickshire’s Poet
Laureate Jo Roberts will be reading poems throughout the evening
Throughout the evening there will be screenings of the BBC
documentary Blitz: The Bombing of Coventry, in St Michael’s Hall
and of UNRAVELLING (Original score by Nitin Sawhney, directed
by Kuldip Powar), in the Chapter House
The picture on the front cover of this booklet was painted in 1943 by the American
artist Byron Thomas
Help Us Preserve Coventry’s Cathedral Ruins
The Ruins of the former Cathedral are visited by tens of thousands of
people from Coventry and around the world every year. Entry is free and
their preservation is entirely dependent on charitable grants and donations.
Please help us preserve this special place. Donate in the Ruins, visit
www.coventrycathedral.org.uk to make a secure online donation or call
024 7652 1223 (Monday-Friday) to discuss making a regular gift.
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To the People of Coventry,
Thank you for all you did through those terrible times, and your
generation and your grandparents. I sincerely hope that spirit
will live forever in Coventry as it should do and what
happened there will never be forgotten.
You must be very proud of yourselves to think how you’ve
coped with it all, and to the older people, how they coped when
it was happening. What happened in Coventry should never
been forgotten, and it should be taught in schools to the
children, so they can tell their children about it and so it goes
on. It’s part of history. And history is something that goes on
forever, as Coventry should do.
I was privileged to visit the city on the 50th anniversary of the
Coventry Blitz and it is with regret I am unable be part of the
70th anniversary. But to all the citizens of Coventry, you are
in my thoughts and prayers.
Yours truly
Dame Vera Lynn
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