As in every year since 1919 those who have fallen in armed conflicts will be remembered in acts of worship across the country both on 11th November itself and also on Sunday 8th November. There have been calls to scale Remembrance commemorations down as the devastating conflict which initiated the Acts of Remembrance has now gone beyond its centenary, and the end of the Second World War is now 75 years ago. This year as never before, the scale of our Remembrance will be limited due to the pandemic that none could have expected we would be fighting even eleven months ago.
We still have armed forces around the world, and men and women are still losing their lives or being seriously injured in conflicts that require us to remember, and be thankful that we live in a country with freedom of movement and choice that many countries still do not have. Despite any political upheavals that we face, we still live in a country where we have personal freedom to express our views in respectful and peaceful demonstrations.
How can we in Ash Vale remember those who have given their lives in service to the country this year? The normal gathering of uniformed groups and general public cannot take place at Ash Memorial as we take into account the need to respect social distancing to protect individuals from coronavirus. There would be just too many people in one place!
St Mary’s will be holding a service of remembrance from the Church Car park on the corner of Vale Road and Wood Street – Car Park church. Over lockdown we have found creative ways to worship together, and this Remembrance we will be meeting on Sunday 8th November at 10.30am in our cars where Neil will lead an act of worship. The service will also be broadcast through Zoom. It will need to be a ticketed event because we have limited spaces in the car park, but if you would like to remember those who have fallen get in touch with the Parish Administrator and we will share all the details closer to the time. “We will remember them.”
Remembrance Day Seravice
Sunday 8th November 10:30am at St Mary’s in the car park. Request the link to Zoom in from home, or book a space outside contact us:
Email parishoffice@ash-vale.org.uk
Or phone: 07863 311165
Spaces are very limited, booking is essential.
By Jackie Scott