Minister's Musings

Hello Friends,

Every year, as Remembrance Day approaches, my thoughts turn to my friends and family impacted by war. I think of the people I never met, like my Great Grandfather who lost his leg in WW1. I think about friends who served in Afghanistan. I think of colleagues who have served, or are serving, as chaplains. I think about the impact of wars on those who came home. I think about those injured or killed in training, like the four young people who died at Wainright in October. And my heart hurts.  

I also feel hope every year. If countries like France and Germany can work peacefully together today, then there is a way forward to peace in the conflicts that are currently happening around the world. Beyond war, I think of the other calamities or difficulties we face, and once again feel the hope of surviving and thriving.

Memory of pain and hope for the future live hand in hand; something captured perfectly in our hymn of reflection this week, Lift Every Voice.

We have come, over a way that with tears has been watered,

We have come, treading our path through the blood of the slaughtered,

Out from the gloomy past,

‘Til now we stand at last

Where the white gleam of our bright star is cast.

We can not bring back the dead. We can’t erase the suffering.  

But, with God’s grace, and just peace, we can hope for a better future.

Blessings of peace and hope to all, Rev. Kirsty