This Sunday, 8th November will be Remembrance Sunday. At MBC we plan to commemorate this occasion although our plans have changed in line with the latest Covid-19 guidelines. The Health and Safety team met on Wednesday night and considered guidance from the Baptist Union and the government.* (see links below). Although the original event cannot go ahead, Remembrance is not cancelled. We may not be able to gather together but we can remember together.
In the light of this, here is what we can do…
- Make a poppy, paint a poppy on a pebble, put a poppy on a stick, colour in a picture of a poppy and leave it up in the church car park by the outdoor cross at some point from this weekend over the week of the 8th (I know many of you have your poppies ready which is great)
- Find your local cenotaph over the week of the 8th November
- Have a ‘Remembrance walk’ (you can combine this with taking your poppy to church or finding your local cenotaph). Whilst you are on your walk…
- Thank God that He walks with us every step
- Ask God to walk with someone who comes to mind right now as you walk
- Do you see something peaceful? Thank God for it
- Do you see any conflict, pray for it
- Look out for anything red that stands out to you on your walk…talk/listen to God about anything that comes to mind
- Colour in a poppy and put it in your window at home. We’ll have some printed off at church in a box in the car park that we have already given a donation for but you can also get hold of one on the Royal British Legion website https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate
- Join in with church on live Facebook on the Moortown Baptist church Facebook Page at 10.45, then pause for 2 minutes at 11am on Remembrance Sunday in your home or on your doorstep.
- Join in the Church at Home playlist on YouTube on Sunday 8th November after the 11am silence.
- Pause for 2 minutes on Remembrance Day on the 11th
- Thank God for those past and present who gave their lives and pray for all those who work for peace in all sorts of situations.
- Give to the Poppy appeal. You can give online, by text, phone or post.
Online
https://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/ways-to-give/donate
Text
To donate £2 text POPPY2 to 70545, To donate £5 text POPPY5 to 70545, To donate £10 text POPPY10 to 70545 (Texts cost £2, £5, or £10 plus one standard network rate message (typically 97% of the donation amount goes to the Royal British Legion).
Phone 0345 845 1945
*Useful links
https://www.baptist.org.uk/Articles/570475/Coronavirus_essential_advice.aspx
Below are two prayers which Shona suggests you may like to use during your time of remembrance
A prayer of petition for those affected by war.
God of justice and peace,
we pray for those who have been injured or disabled through war.
For those who have lost homes and security through conflict;
for those who have lost loved relatives in wars;
for those who face danger and take risks for peace;
for all those, especially children, caught up in current conflicts;
for refugees and all those in need of aid and other help.
God of encouragement and Saviour of the despairing, comfort those who remember past sacrifices
and guide us in building a just and peaceful community for all.
Amen.
A prayer for peacemakers
History can inspire or trap.
Walls can protect or divide.
Words can encourage or inflame.
Power can free or destroy.
Touch can comfort or violate.
Peace can be shared or withheld.
Gracious God, on this day,
when we remember past and present conflicts,
we pray for the divided peoples of the world,
that leaders, governments and each one of us
may use our resources,
our opportunities and our lives
in the service of reconciliation,
for the sake of future generations
and to the glory of your name.
Amen.