Remember, remember the 5th of November! and of course remembrance honouring those who gave their lives in conflict and war for the freedom of others. Its also a season in the church of all souls and all saints where we remember people we loved who have died. Many churches make opportunities for bereaved families to light candles to remember those who have died.

How do you remember?

Remembering fascinates me, not least because there are so many things I don’t remember – usually what I went into a room for or why I opened the fridge!

Essentially remembering is; bringing to mind in the now people, experiences, events of the past, whether that was a few days ago or a very long time ago. Sometimes the things we remember make us think, or smile, or make feelings re-surface, like that moment when you smell that school detergent and your stomach churns as if you are six again! Sometimes a wave of sadness comes out of nowhere as something reminds us of someone we have lost.

Remembering is both powerful and important.

What do you do to remember people and mark events in your life?

When we remember people it’s like binging them into a situation its saying that they are still important, and we love and value them still. In my family at special occasions there is often a toast to absent friends and family – and we all remember!

I’m also fascinated by how whole nations and generations remember significant events. Sometimes tragic, sometimes joyous. It is in much the same way as we remember other things – by writing them down, or marking an occasion by doing something each year building and making patterns and rituals, visiting certain places or even having a day off.

As a nation we often do this with memorials, we have signs and symbols – like the poppy around remembrance. And it’s through these signs like poppies and monuments that we are able to share the why? Share the memories, and the stories from generation to generation. What stories will you share with younger people around you?

What memories have been passed on to you?

Its important to remember well – without bitterness and equally when we remember people not to remember them through such rose tinted spectacles as they become perfect.

At times the things we remember can be difficult. However, there are also good things to recall which can change the way we see things and bring hope – this is expressed so well in the book of lamentations having poured out the hard things that a community had suffered these words appear:

21 Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope:

22 Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.

23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. (Lamentations 3:21-23)

Remembering well is an important part of faith too. Every day there are little things that I do to remember. I remember the blessings of each day. When things are tough and seem dark, I recall God’s kindness to me. Each week we join with other people to remember and learn about what Jesus did and taught and though we struggle to get things right – remembering each week that we are and can be forgiven, for me at least, is really releasing!

Take time today or over this season to remember and call to mind the things that bring you hope.

Why not join us to remember people you love who have died?

3rd November 6.00pm God with us remembering – Bereavement service. A short service to remember loved ones who have died by lighting a candle and reflecting. Followed by refreshments.

10th November 10.00am Remembrance day Parade service. Join with others as we remember those who have given their lives in conflicts across the world.

St Peters meets for worship every Sunday at 10.00am everyone is welcome here.

We have breakfast on 4th Sunday of the month too!

Messy church @4pm upcoming dates: October 20th 4.00pm The Prodigal son – remembering Love

November 17th 4.00pm The Good Samaritan – caring for other people!