NOVEMBER MESSAGE

NOVEMBER MESSAGE

A Time to Remember

On Thursday October 31st at 7pm, there will be a special Memorial Service for All Souls at St John’s Maesbrook. At this service we will light candles and read out names of loved ones who are no longer with us. All are welcome to attend this service and if you would like someone’s name read out in the service you could contact Colin Preston either by e-mail or telephone. E-mail: candcpreston@yahoo.co.uk Tel: 01691 831577.

Then on the Sun 10th NOV and Mon 11thNOV there will be acts of remembrance at our war memorials and services in some of our churches to remember people from our villages who lost their lives in past wars. Full details of the times of these events can be found on the page about our services this month.

As we remember those who died in former conflicts we cannot but also turn our thoughts to places in our world where people’s daily lives are lived in fear and great hardship because of ongoing wars in those areas. The conflicts in Ukraine and in the Middle East show no sign of being resolved any time soon and we can sometimes feel somewhat helpless as if there is nothing that we can do to help. But one thing we can do is to pray that world leaders are given wisdom as they seek solutions and we can pray for God’s peace to descend on troubled places.

O God of peace, our hearts are heavy and our brains can barely keep up with the breaking news.

We don’t know what to say or what to do in a world so wounded.

So we come to you with hearts heavy for all who sit in the crossfires of violence and acts of war.

O God of peace, we don’t know the words to pray for a warring world and all who are vulnerable in it.

We don’t pretend to know the extent of the damages or what tomorrow will bring.

O God of peace, comfort the crying and heal the hurting.

Tend the aching and soothe the fearful until evil has lost its sting.

O God of peace, hear our prayer. Amen.

Brian Turner … Churchwarden St Mary’s Knockin.

(The words in the prayer were taken from Prayer for Ukraine by Kayla Craig)