Nov 2018

NOVEMBER 2018
A Letter from the Rector
Dear Friends,
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.
On the 11th November 2018, we will be joined by the Royal British Legion, Bishop David and
people from across the town of Market Rasen for our annual service of Remembrance. It is 100
years since the Armistice was signed, since the guns fell silent. To mark this a poppy tribute
made up of hundreds of knitted poppies has been hung on the side of the tower, flowing around
to the Church porch.
I would like to express my grateful thanks to all who have knitted poppies, helped to attach
them to the camouflage nets and those who have organised the tribute. It has been really good
to see so many people, both within the Church and from across our town, surrounding villages
and in some cases across the world, work together to help create this wonderful tribute as we
mark the 100 year anniversary of the Armistice.
Remembrance Sunday draws human beings together in a way that is unique. Young and old
gather to remember and reflect, each allowing some aspect of the reality of war to touch their
lives. Some who gather will bring new or not so new memories of active service, a personal
memory. For others they still live with the effects of war today as a result of past experiences.
Some will carry in their heart the memory of a special loved one who made the ultimate
sacrifice.
On Remembrance Sunday, I am moved not only by the sight of the Poppy but by the silence .
Silence that is calm and mutual, a recognition that what matters is so much more than we can
ever say. The silence of Armistice Day – the silence of Remembrance Sunday - it is the
recognition that in order to do justice to what has happened, to do justice to the cost of war, to
say thank you to those involved 100 years ago – we need to be silent together.
In the silence as we reflect, it is empathy that makes us want not only peace and prosperity for
ourselves, but makes us strive for the peace that passes all understanding, for all people that
dwell on earth.
Peace must be what we all strive for. It is what the Old Testament prophet Micah foresaw, and
what Jesus taught us. The work of peace and reconciliation needs to be the subject of prayer.
Our Christian faith, our common human morality impels us to work for it with all our might. It
must come from our remembrance of those who have given their lives in war; those injured in
conflict and for their families and loved ones.
It is through our prayers and our voice that peace will emerge. It will not come if we forget; it
won’t happen if we wait for others to work for it.
So as we gather on the 11th November 2018, at 11am, let us in the silence say “Thank You” to
all who served, sacrificed and changed our world.
God bless
Steve
We will remember them
4