remember

This Sunday was Remembrance Sunday in the UK. It’s always the nearest Sunday to 11th November, which is the date when the First World War ended. It’s a service that is full of mixed emotions – we don’t glorify or celebrate war but we honour the sacrifice of people who have died in the armed forces: fighting for the freedoms and principles which are foundational to this country. Each poppy is a reminder that peace sometimes comes at a terrible price.

This cross, which stands outside our church, was decorated with poppies that had been made by our children and young people. The poppies were attached to the cross by people as they arrived at the church – different generations marking the occasion. It seems a fitting tribute to ‘the fallen’ as well as a way of enabling all generations to commemorate their sacrifice. It proudly stands facing Mutley Plain – one of the busiest roads in Plymouth. I love how it stands in front of the banner that contains our six values as a church, which underpin who we are, what we do and how we act as a church:

God orientated

Lovingly inclusive

Ethically motivated

Generously big-hearted

People focused

Playfully creative

Our Youth, Children and Family Pastor led our Remembrance Sunday service really well. It was even more complex than usual as it was an all age service that involved all generations and also included one of our young people being baptised as a believer. By universal acclaim it was an amazing service that was touching, worshipful and incredibly powerful. It was a service that was honouring and respectful, yet also brimmed full of the promise of youth and was supremely focused on Jesus.

I wish we lived in a world that was not marked by greed, injustice and self-interest.

I wish we lived in a world that where people did not seek to impose their will on others with violence and intimidation.

I wish we lived in a world where it was not necessary for people to fight to preserve justice, freedom and peace.

Until we do, Remembrance Sunday is a sobering reminder of the cost of standing up against tyranny. And I believe it’s also a sign of hope: a statement of defiant resistance against those who would impose their own values and will on others.

Peace costs, and the price is shown not only in the poppies on the cross, but in the cross itself.

Be blessed, be a blessing.