Jottings for November

We remember so that we may never forget.
 
November is a month of remembering. We have the festival of All Saints on the 1st, where we remember the saints.  On All Souls Day, November 2nd, we remember departed loved ones and give thanks for their lives. There will be a special service at St Mary’s Church in commemoration and to light candles in their memory.
 
We have Bonfire Night: ‘Remember, remember, the 5th of November’ so as not to forget the foiled gunpowder plot of Guy Fawkes in 1605, and we remember those who lost their lives in war with Remembrance Sunday on the 9th and the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial on the 11th, Armistice Day, and the end of World War I. 
 
We mark these occasions so that we don’t forget. Sometimes we remember for good reasons, so that we can keep the memory alive of someone we love but see no longer. But sometimes we remember so that we don’t forget the bad times. We commemorate Armistice Day and honour those who have died in war so that we don’t forget the sacrifice made by those who served, but also to try to ensure that it doesn’t happen again. With conflicts ongoing around the world, it is more important than ever to strive for peace.
 
World Kindness Day, on November 13th, encourages random acts of kindness to overcome our divisions, focus on the good and, as Jesus also calls us: to love our neighbours, even our enemies, as ourselves to create a more compassionate future.
 
Kindness is disarming. It bridges over that which divides us and connects us in recognition of our shared humanity. We may not have the power to stop wars, but we can consider what we can do to make our world a better place and to be the change that we want to see in the world.
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Rev Dr Sarah West
 

Reflection for November

As if we did not know, or needed a reminder that Christmas is coming, the shops, the adverts on television are once again promising us – if only we will buy what they are selling - ‘The best Christmas ever!’  Christmas is indeed coming, - what expectations do we have? 

Advent, which begins on November 30th presents us with a time of preparation to celebrate yet again the coming of Jesus Christ. Advent offers an opportunity for us to pause in the mad rush towards December 25th, a chance if only for moments each day to step back from involvement in the struggle of buying presents, planning meals, arranging to accommodate visiting family and friends or travel to be with them. The truth of Christmas is somehow better, somehow greater, much more wonderful than all these things.

Advent tells us that we are missing something of great importance, that the world is not as it should be. Jesus Christ, God made man, is needed, desperately needed, once again to renew our hearts and minds with knowledge of the love and mercy of God, and to renew our efforts to make His kingdom a reality on earth for ourselves and our neighbours, neighbours wherever they live in this war weary world.

Advent fills us with hope, we open our hearts and wait prayerfully for Christ and the new day that he brings.