Reflection

Dear Friends,

Remember, Remember….. November is the month when we do a good deal of remembering. In November the people of God remember ‘All saints’ and at the Rosemary Service we will remember the loved ones we see no longer; as a nation we remember ‘The Gunpowder Plot’ with fun and fireworks but on Remembrance Sunday, with gratitude and dignity, we remember those who have laid down their lives that we should have freedom.

It is right that we should look at history and remember because ‘If we ignore history we are condemned to repeat it.’ I saw those words carved on a wall encompassing a moving sculpture depicting the story of the Jewish nation when I was on a pilgrimage in Israel. Those words moved me then and continue to have an impact as I watch society deteriorate into one where bullies seem to have the upper hand; where the value and dignity of life is pushed aside by selfishness and where life is lived as if there were no God.

It is right to remember the people and history of the past—we have all known people who have died for whom we can repeat the words in Scripture ‘I thank God for every remembrance of you’ (Philippians 1:3) When we look back we can see God working his purposes out and this brings comfort as well as timely reminders. He is bringing His-story to its climax. It’s a story that is moving on and we are part of that story. What part are we playing—how will people remember us?

God bless you,
Vicky Fleming
Team Vicar