Saturday 29 November 2014

Habakkuk and the great lament

Sermon for 30th November
Habakkuk 1: 1-4,2: 2-4,3: 17-19  

Black Friday
Ferguson
Plebgate
13 thousand Slaves (living) in Britain
Political suicide: in a cab and in court
7000 dead from Ebola

What is fair?
What is right?
What is just and seemly and following God's path?

This week in our scripture for Sunday we investigate the prophet Habakkuk. Our readings take us from the start, to the middle to the end in three quick excerpts.
The three short readings could be summarised thus:
  • ·       Habakkuk, laments the state of the world, and asks God why things are so?
  • ·       God replies, reminding Habakkuk not to worry: God is acting and God is always there even when not visible.
  • ·       Habakkuk responds: ok God, even when I can't see you, or sense you, or know you; even when it makes no logical sense at all:  I'm still going to praise you.


Who knew?!
The lectionary is put together with no knowledge of what will be happening in the world when each set of readings comes round.
Yet here we are, in a week where injustice and inequality and perversion of facts and violent responses and hopelessness abound.
A week when we look at the world and ask WHY???
Why is the world like this?
Why do people do stupid things?
Say uncaring, terrible things to each other?
Why do people trust, or not trust another human by the colour of their skin rather than the honour of their behaviour?
And why is it that we lament and moan and complain – but don’t actually DO anything?

And then we read a lament and realise we are not alone
We are not the only ones
It is not only our generation that sees this world thus
It is not only our generation that complains and laments

And then: then we read an assurance that even in the worst of times:
God. Is. There.

God is there

God is always there
Even when, especially when, we cannot sense God's presence:
God is there

Now.
I read these words
I write these words
I hear these words
I try, very, very hard to live these words
Know these words
Believe these words
But I do not always manage it
Because sometimes the world seems just too far gone

I read in the news of politicians in London who expect that they have a right to be heard; a right to be exempt from common decency – and I sigh, and shake my head, shrug my shoulders – but I cannot bring myself to do anything more, because I cannot believe that I can make it any different
I read in the news of rioting and violent protest across the Atlantic; it’s a long way away; it’s not here; it doesn’t affect me – so what do I do? What can I do?
I read that this terrible disease that is killing in another distant land; this disease which is devastating families continues rampant: now claiming over 7000 souls. And I feel helpless.
Then on Saturday the radio tells me that “they” estimate there are around 13,000 slaves in Britain.
13,000 slaves: people, held, worked, unpaid, uncared for – treated as less than human – and it is so hard I cannot fit it into my head. And then when I look at the global figures.... 36 million!
How can this be?
How can this be in our world in 2014 – that humans treat each other so badly?
How can it be?

I join my voice to that of Habakkuk, and countless others over the years, and ask WHY????

And I try to listen...
I seek the voice...
Are you still there God?
Are you looking at this world and reeling too?

I wish I were a prophet like those of old
That I too could hear God’s voice loud and clear giving me some reassurance.
God. Is. Here.
God cares
God weeps with us
God rails too at the injustice of it all

Yet still it is happening
The world is corrupt and unfair
People make mistakes
People are cruel and harsh
And, somewhere in a distant land, a journey begins
From dark to light
From despair to hope
We are waiting....
Waiting....
For the time to be right
To share the vision
To live the hope
To grasp the dream:

To join my voice with Habakkuk saying, “even if the world is lost, spinning out of control, even when everything is dying around me, Yes, Even then
When my heart is lamenting
I will praise God”
I. Will. Praise......

Because, what else can I do?
What else can we do?
We will praise God
“I will still be joyful and glad, because the Lord God is my saviour. The Sovereign Lord gives me strength. He makes me sure-footed as a deer and keeps me safe on the mountains.” (Hab 3:18-19)

Now that’s an image to conjure with!
 
Deer in winter 2008 (JMW)


Friday 28 November 2014

Friday Five


The season of lists is upon us! At least, that’s the way I cope with the many events, worship services, visits and potlucks that squeeze in during this holiday season. So let’s talk about how you cope (or don’t) with celebrating minus the stress.

1. Keeping your ducks in a row: Tell us how you manage the craziness. Lists? That faithful old-fashioned pocket calendar? Smart phone reminders? Wall calendar?
Lists!! Always lists... card lists; present lists; food lists; diary lists; church lists... lists and more lists. My card list is the only one that is typed – it has been updated year on year for I don’t know how many years. Names added and removed; addresses changed; names of partners added or removed; children added in... and sometimes  given their own entry when they set up home...
For the rest, I toyed with going electronic – but for me, the old faithful pad and pen is just more reliable.

2. Must-Do Events: What is one event on your list that you look forward to every year and NEVER miss? Not church services — something else that makes the season bright. Bonus points for a picture from a previous year’s event.
In the past three years a new annual tradition has developed... the Edinburgh Christmas Market with #3 son and his beloved. Walking through the lights, watching the skaters, sipping mulled wine, eating hot potatoes.... bliss! NB: this is never about the shopping, it’s about the joy!



3. Kitchen disasters of the funny kind: Lighten the mood with one of your best kitchen disasters. What ingredient did you forget to add, or what dish was left to turn to charcoal in the oven? It may not have been funny at the time, but now it always makes you chuckle!
Cooking is my therapy; I follow a plan; a tried and tested plan... though most years now someone will cry out – “Mum did you make the sauce?” after I made cranberry and orange sauce from scratch and did not remember until the 27th!

4. “Honey, I can’t find the __________!” Every year we turn the kitchen upside down looking for the turkey baster and the cotton twine for roasting the bird. Do you have a similar kitchen gadget or decorating frustration? Or have you solved a perennial problem and can give us a tried-and-true tip?
BIG turkey plate... which cupboard did you go in? Box of candles – where are you? Can anyone remember how to put the cake stand together?!

5. “I’ll never forget…” Tell us about a sweet holiday memory that you want to always, ALWAYS remember!
I just love Christmas... the things I remember most are the tears of laughter; the raucous joy of everyone gathered and gathering over a number of days; having a divided family means we have different days for different people, so it can never be just one, but all of it together, celebrating the joy of love and family.

BONUS: For those of us leading Christmas Eve services, what is on your “MUST HAVE” list for the evening?

Oh gosh! Where I am now, in this lovely village community, it’s the early family gathering; we put on a Christmas Play – not kids but grow-ups telling the story for families. Each year is a slightly different take on the Christmas Story- and year on year more and more folk come along – it’s magical!

That Picture challenge again....

I had such fun sharing old B&W pictures last week; and discovering a bit more about my family that as promised here are some more that didn't make it to the 5 Days, or the initial blog... 

First is my grandparents, I think, before they were married (no ring on Grandma's hand) so possibly 1930 or so... 




Grandpa was one of five, and this is the wedding of one of his sisters, Mildred - known to me as Aunty Mil, to Sidney - known to me as Uncle Sid. I have memories of going on the train to visit them. My sister and I travelled there, and stayed over - and I remember the shock and thrill of a bed prewarmed by an electric blanket - such decadence! 

 

Next come two beautiful women, both aged around 18 but at very different times: Aunty Chris in 1928, and my mum in the late 1940s or early 50s. 

             

Two women who have been so very important my life. 

Wednesday 26 November 2014

Midweek musing - Habakkuk and the great lament

What is fair?
What is right?
What is just and seemly and following God's path?

I have watched the news in the last 36 hours with a growing sense of disbelief.
You know something is big when it becomes the lead news story in the UK and it isn't a UK news story.

I have so far resisted reading all the blogs and reflections on this story. Mostly because I wanted to gain my own reflections without influence of others' thoughts. 

This week in our scripture for Sunday we investigate the prophet Habakkuk. 
There are three short readings, which could be summarised thus
Habakkuk, laments the state of the world, and asks God why things are so?
God replies, reminding Habakkuk of what God is doing and how God is always there even when not visible. 
Habakkuk responds: ok God, even when I can't see you, or sense you, or know you, I'm still going to praise you. 

Who knew?! 
The lectionary is put together with no knowledge of what will be happening in the world when each set of readings comes round.
Yet here we are, in a week where injustice and inequality and perversion of facts and  violent responses and hopelessness abounds.
And we read a lament and an assurance that even in the worst of times:
God. Is. There. 

God is there


God is always there
Even when, especially when we cannot sense God's presence. 
God is there

So, like Habakkuk even if the world is lost, spinning out of control, even if the law seems to be biased, contorted, favouring one colour, one profession, one sector more than others.
Yes
Even then
When my heart is lamenting
I will praise God.
I. Will. Praise......

Because, what else can I do? 

Saturday 22 November 2014

Be good for Goodness Sake

Sermon 23rd November
Jeremiah 7:1-11 

It’s that time of year again
Advent is fast approaching
The shops have gone all out Christmas
And I am driven to write and rewrite lists on a daily basis

Next week, is the first Sunday in Advent, and the countdown to Christmas starts in earnest.
This means today must be the last Sunday of the year... this is the church’s Hogmanay! The day we remember the Reign of Christ in heaven; the day we reflect on the year past, and the way forward. And Jeremiah tries to shake the people out of their complacent ways into returning to God and God’s ways.

I got stuck with an earworm this week, even though I actually didn’t hear the song, I saw the words, and there it was, stuck in my head, relentlessly wheeling round and round –
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town!
Gosh – it’s still November! Get thee behind me!

However.... all of this was actually triggered by Jeremiah’s prophecy,
God is watching, stop your bad behaviour!
God is watching – be good for goodness sake!

Thus the earworm...
The funny thing was looking at the actual words of the song – it does parallel with what Jeremiah is telling the people; if you think you can hide away, don’t!
If you think your public behaviour on the Sabbath is enough – think again!
If you think because you go to God’s temple that is enough – you need a reality check!
He knows when you are sleeping; he knows when you’re awake; he knows if you’ve been bad or good – so be good – for GOODNESS SAKE!

The psalmist knew it too! Psalm 139:
“You know everything I do;
    from far away you understand all my thoughts.
You see me, whether I am working or resting;
    you know all my actions.
Even before I speak, you already know what I will say.
7 Where could I go to escape from you?
    Where could I get away from your presence?
11 I could ask the darkness to hide me
 or the light around me to turn into night,
12 but even darkness is not dark for you, and the night is as bright as the day. Darkness and light are the same to you.

It is so easy to slip into complacency
So easy to relax, think we’ve got it made; rely on the slow and steady habits acquired over years of routine and tradition.

We feel safe in our comfortable homes, and our familiar churches and our regular routines - but God never called anyone to comfortable complacency – this reading from Jeremiah, to those at worship in the temple has six calls to stop or change... do we really take this seriously? 

Six calls:
·       Change the way you are living – your behaviours
·       Stop believing deceitful words – you’re kidding no one when you say, “but I’m ok, I worship God... even if I’m off doing this that and the other...
·       Change the way you are living – you know when you are being unfair; did you say please and thank you to the shop girl? Did you think bad things about your boss? Did you have a quick gossip with your neighbour? Did you pass the blame?
·       Stop taking advantage of foreigners and the disadvantaged – do you try to buy fair trade? Do you buy cheap stuff even though you know it’s been made in a factory where the workers are being exploited?
·       Stop killing innocent people – do we speak out at the big corporations? Do we protest when the country acts in ways we feel are unjust? Do we work to help those affected by disease and poverty?
·       Stop worshipping other gods – is it more important to attend a sporting fixture than attend worship of God? Is your book, or your TV programme, or your pint at the pub more important  than spending time with God?

If you do these things, then you may stay in this Promised Land; if you can!
God knew that they had fallen into easy ways; they had wandered off, little by little – and that of course is the most dangerous way!

If something incredibly bad happens all at once we see it and respond / avoid accordingly; but it’s the drip, drip, drip effect that’s the most dangerous... we all know the story of the poor frog!
(Frog thrown into pan of boiling water will jump out. Frog put in cold water that is slowly warmed, will boil (yuck))

This prophecy has the potential to throw us into panic or turmoil.
It also has the potential to show us our short comings, and point us in a newer, better direction: and what better thing for this time of year?

Advent beckons; time to stop awhile; reflect, renew.
Let’s listen to that ancient prophecy and do something with it... taking some time to ask yourself those difficult questions - and answering honestly, deep within your soul.
This is a good time to pause in all the busyness; choose one thing you know would strengthen your journey; one thing that you know would help you to get closer to God – and do it!
Advent gives us four weeks... to prepare for the coming of our Saviour.
Four weeks to prepare for the new year ahead
Four weeks to walk more closely with God
Time to do something new!

And, funnily enough, over the next four weeks, between now and Christmas our new theme is time.

Christmas is coming... so stop awhile and take time with God.
Jeremiah’s prophecy may be ancient, but it spans the years to speak to us again – don’t be complacent! Time to act!

God knows when you are sleeping; he knows when you’re awake; he knows if you’ve been bad or good – so be good – for GOODNESS SAKE!




Friday 21 November 2014

The Black and White Challenge

Over in Facebook land there's a cute challenge going on - it's called the Black & White Challenge, the idea being to pick favourite pictures - of people or places that are meaningful to you. 
Now, I happen to be the custodian of a whole box of Black & White pictures, which I have been meaning to catalogue.
Some came from my mother, and some from her sister, via her daughter, my cousin... 

On FB, I only have to post one a day for five days - how do you choose 5 from over a hundred??? 

Impossible - I led off with a modern one in B&W of me & my sister; then my parents' wedding, and today a family group of the (great) aunts and uncles...

here, especially for my nephew & godson Henry, are a whole lot more, which didn't make the cut! 

 This, is very faded, but labelled on the back Mother & Tom; since I know my grandmother had a younger brother named Tommy, that is who I guess they are - Grandma was born in 1904, her youngest sister was born in 1910, so Tommy must have been sometime in between! 

Below, is a very austere looking lady, whom I believe is the same lady as with "Tommy", so my maternal great grandmother.





I love this family group picture! Left to right, is me, in my grandma's arms, Mum, holding my brother Graham, her brother, Donald (who looks so like my brother does now it's scary!) And my grandpa, who I think must be holding Donald's first born - my cousin David

In total contrast, is this family group! The little girl is my great aunt, my grandmother's sister, Christine, known to us as Aunty Chris; the lady to the left is her mother, and the boy may well be Tommy. The men and the other lady, I do not know
 (though when mum reads this blog she may be able to work it out!)

This little girl is Aunty Chris - clearly on the same day at the photographer as above.
She was born Christmas Day 1910 - so judging her to be between 2-3 it must be around 1913


I will keep scanning! And post part two next week! 


Thursday 20 November 2014

Making a list checking it twice

Midweek Musing for Sunday 23rd November
Jeremiah 7:1-11 

It’s that time of year again
Advent is fast approaching
The shops have gone all out Christmas
And I am driven to write and rewrite lists on a daily basis

I got stuck with an earworm this week, even though I actually didn’t hear the song, I saw the words, and there it was, stuck in my head, relentlessly wheeling round and round –
You better watch out
You better not cry
You better not pout
I'm telling you why
Santa Claus is coming to town

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town!
Gosh – it’s still November! Get thee behind me!

However.... all of this was actually triggered by Jeremiah’s prophecy,
God is watching, stop your bad behaviour!
God is watching – be good for goodness sake!

Thus the earworm...
The funny thing was looking at the actual words of the song – it does parallel with what Jeremiah is telling the people; if you think you can hide away, don’t!
If you think your public behaviour on the Sabbath is enough – think again!
If you think because you go to God’s temple that is enough – you need a reality check!
He knows when you are sleeping; he knows when you’re awake; he knows if you’ve been bad or good – so be good – for GOODNESS SAKE!






Tuesday 18 November 2014

Singing we gladly worship the Lord!

Today's prompt over at the RGBP blog... 
What's your go-to shower song? (Or other serenade scenario music) Why do you belt this song?

Well... in the shower I sing along to the radio - so whatever is on, I'll sing. This may mean that funny two second delay sing-along when you don't really know the words, so you repeat after you hear them... fine for you, and just terrible for anyone who happens to overhear! 

At other times I sing... well I sing constantly
very often I do not even know I'm doing it, until the check out operator makes a comment about me being cheery; or someone at the bus stop looks over with a grin... in my head I'm singing under my breath! 

Around the house I'll sing my favourite hymns and psalms - as the title of this post implies!
or I'll sing my go to favourites from all sorts of artists, collected together in a book of music I just love! 

Every time we Say Goodbye...what a Wonderful WorldThey can't take that away from meThe way you look tonight... 





Monday 17 November 2014

Old age? Never!

The prompt for today's post asks how I feel about growing old...
Hmmm... I'm 55 
Some days, with my sore joints I feel every one of those years, and a few more.
But, most of the time I forget
I am simply not aware of how old I am, or how old I feel
I just love my life!

I guess there was a time when I could not have said that
A time when life felt difficult and stressful,
every day was heavy and long
and I was not able to say I was content.

Now?
Now things are difficult
I look at my sons and feel pride welling in all they have achieved 
and the lovely young men they've grown into
I look at the man I love, and feel the joy and reassurance of knowing I'm loved in return. 
I look at my job, and it makes me happy. I am fulfilled and content,
 I have days and weeks that are challenging, richly varied, or incredibly busy.
The list of tasks never seems to be finished,
and yet, in all of that I am convinced I am where I need to be, 
where God wants me, and that's more than enough!

I am so busy, being happy, content, busy, challenged, noisy, quiet, hopeful and loved 
I don't have time to think about how old I am!

On a more practical note... 
I love colour...
And, for as long as I can get away with it...
My hair colour comes out a bottle! 

This is fake Christmas, celebrated November 1st when #2 son and his darling girl were home from Canada 

Saturday 15 November 2014

Sermon 16 November: Rumours...

Isaiah 36:1-3, 13-20; 37:1-7; & 2:1-4

The passages we heard today may feel confusing and a little disjointed. Especially because the Lectionary compilers take pieces from chapters 36 and 37, and then go back to the prophecy at the start of chapter 2.
It IS confusing!
So – that’s OK then!

Now, having established that we have just heard something confusing; let’s pare it back. What did we hear? We heard a lot of names, titles, and aggressive language. And we also heard terms and behaviours which may seem strange to us – unfamiliar – illogical even.

The gist of the story is that the King – Hezekiah is being beset by the king of Assyria, who sends his army commander to  taunt to people; to send in rumourmongers, to tease them with promises of wild riches and rewards, if they just abandon their king, and (more importantly) their God.

Hezekiah responds by putting on sack cloth and ashes; and sends a message to Isaiah the prophet – to ask that he let God know that he does not agree with the blasphemous words of the Assyrians; that he hopes God will punish them; and that God will listen to the prayers of those left behind.
Hezekiah, refers to God as the God of Isaiah, not his own God...
His response is totally appropriate – to put on the sack cloth is demonstrating his respect and faith – even though his language implies he doesn’t feel any ownership or connection to God.
God’s response is simple: do not be afraid! And how many times have we heard that phrase?
Do not fear; God is near
Do not fear; God has this
Do not fear: God is with you
Do. Not. Fear.

Isaiah’s prophecy began with the wondrous call to worship: come! Let us go to the house of the Lord! To his holy mountain!
God has this: God will judge
God will bring peace
Weapons will be no more
War will be no more
We are reminded of that, after hearing about the troubles Hezekiah faces – maybe Isaiah also reminded him?
Maybe, to be reminded of such good news, of such hope is no bad thing at all?
What then does this vision of a world with no war say to us right now in this season of remembrance? What can we do with the vision?

Back in the 1970s when I was in secondary school, I had a folder on which I had written, “What if we have a war and no one wants to play?”
 Along with many other phrases on a similar theme, “Make love not War”...
In my teenaged naivety I think I really believed that all it would take is for the other side (whoever they were) to refuse to fight and that would be the end of it.

Then of course, reality hit. I reached my 20s; Argentina decided to challenge ownership of a set of remote islands and for the first time in my life I was truly aware of warfare in my generation. It was short-lived, but the cost was high in lives lost or changed forever. Not just for our folks, but for the other side too. I can clearly remember the repulsion I felt at news headlines which glorified the killing of the “bad guys”. This was no longer fiction – this was real.
And I discovered I was a pacifist!
I also discovered a feeling of helplessness, and a dread of what, at that time, I felt to be a continuation of the glorification of war in November at Remembrance time.
Fast forward to 1991, January, I stand at 11pm, my newborn son in my arms, watching bombs flying over Iraq. I’m not sure which is harder to grasp – the fact that we were involved in war in the Gulf, or that I was actually watching it on TV.
My heart sank; and I prayed to God... without words.
For I no longer knew what to pray for.
 Just that it was truly terrible. These were real bombs, real people.

Fast forward again... 2006. I am a parish minister in Moray; nearby there is the RAF base; many of the servicemen and women, and their families live in my parish. One September morn I get a call. One of their aircraft is not coming back; all the crew is lost. Two of the men live in the parish.
One of their crew is in my congregation. He had been unwell so was grounded. In one fell swoop he lost his best friends and colleagues, and suddenly it was real.
Tangible.
 He needed me, he needed to talk.
To process his feelings.
I needed to put aside my own feelings and simply be.

I still feel that war is not the answer. That we must strive for a peaceful solution when we see injustice – for where is the justice in getting your own way through violent means?

But my attitude to the season of Remembrance has changed. The phrase “Lest we Forget” has more meaning now. If we forget the true cost, the real price of aggression, then we do a disservice to all those who fought, not really knowing why they were fighting, but simply doing their duty.
War is fought in two places- around the table, and on the field.
It is the table gatherers who make the decisions; but it is the field workers who pay the price.
War has two sides, history is written by the victors, but the vanquished have their place too. If we forget this, we forget all of those conscripts, pulled in to fight for their side, each of whom pay the price together – there is no distinction, each is a soul loved by God.
Wilfred Owen spoke of the futility of war, the pity of it.
The pity comes now, if we forget the real price – men and women, loved by God, who pay the cost; if we forget that, then those lives are wasted.
We must remember.
And work for the day when all swords are turned into ploughs and pruning hooks. When the fields we work in are vineyards and orchards, “come, let us go to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of God!”

Tree of Life in Mozambique
a sculpture created using weapons of war to be a symbol for peace



Friday 14 November 2014

Ripples on a pond

have written about the ripple effect before
In a different place and time
Ripples are especially noticeable in a small community
Where everyone really does know everyone else.
To one extent or another.

A week ago, 
Just seven days ago
I got a call telling me of a sudden death
It took my breath away!
This was a woman so full of life that to think of her gone was really difficult to absorb.

It soon became clear, that others needed to know this news
Needed to hear it in a gentle way
Not from the newsfeed, or radio broadcast

Thus started the hours of repetition.
Each time, telling the news
Each time, sitting, holding a hand
Keeping the silence
Answering questions as I was able

Making plans next
Meeting her family - stunned
Holding her best friend - heartbroken
Supporting any who needed it, in whatever form. 

Here we are a week later.
The full, busy week, centred on meetings and conversations. 
And in between, carrying on, doing the stuff of ministry.
Comforting the bereaved
Writing prayers
Planning worship
Reading committee papers
Fixing diary dates

Yet
Still the ripples go
The funeral arrangements were made
So, the notice goes to our church Facebook page
(As is the norm)
Within hours, the 'reach' was over a thousand....
This has never happened before.

It's been two days, the post has been shared more than 30 times
The reach is almost 4000! 
Ripples.... 
Hardly, it feels more like a tidal wave! 
Waves of emotion

Jennifer was a teacher, a singer, a first aider.
She was a friend, a confidante, a listener.
She was vital, and lively, and enthusiastic,
She was thoughtful, kind and compassionate 

And she was loved
And she will be missed

Tuesday 11 November 2014

November 11


Remembering 
this day was a day for solemnity
a day to be with the young at school
and to walk with them
tracing steps 
from school to square

It was a day - not to glorify war
but to remember its true cost
It was a day for the next generation
to realise their role 
as the next generation

It was a day for respect
and honour, and quiet 
It was a day to remember that
there are always two sides
that history is written by the victor
and that pain and loss is indiscriminate

It was a day to remember
because if we forget
Who will speak out?
Who will hold up their hands
and raise the shout, "Stop!!"?

It was a day, today
and yesterday
and Sunday
when we remember the yesterdays
in order to secure the tomorrows

we will remember




Saturday 8 November 2014

Remembrance Sunday sermon

Reflection Part One:   Expectations

This morning it will not surprise you to learn that I want to talk about remembering... for we call this day Remembrance Sunday with good reason; this year especially, as we commemorate 100 years since the start of the Great War as it was known – the war to end all wars.

The month of November has long been a time for remembering; not just in the last century as the country paid tribute to the fallen; but over many centuries as folks took time to remember their own loved ones who were gone.

November 1st is All Saints Day – thus October 31st is All Hallows Eve – the night before All Saints, and in many churches all over the world last week, there were acts of remembering for all those who had died in the previous year... and for those who were remembered for particular anniversaries.
Thus, this time of year is the time for memories; for sharing stories and experiences, but most of all for us, to bring to mind the sacrifices made by young service men and women, and their families during the First World War, and beyond.

This first part of the sermon is called expectations... think of all the things we anticipate and expect, and think of all the things we do not...

It is now November.
The clocks have turned back
It is getting darker earlier
The days are getting shorter, and (finally) the mornings are more likely to be frosty, or cold.
All fairly obvious things to expect.

Today there are things we expect to see
Poppies
               On shirts and coats
               On the wreaths
Medals – on those who have served our country, and on their family members
Do you know how you can tell the difference?
Worn on the left by those who were awarded them
Worn on the right by those who proudly wear their grandfather’s or great grandfather’s medals.

And what about us?
What is expected of us today?

To be respectful
To take some time to remember
To try to live in a way that honours the memory
And most of all, to strive to keep the peace.
To remember, and not forget
And hope, above all hopes that there will come a day when weapons, and war and remembering will no longer be necessary.

Choir sings “What shall we pray for those who died?”



Reflection Part Two:  Doing the Right Thing

For those of you who are visiting today, a little word of explanation regarding our bible reading. This year we are using a new lectionary called the Narrative Lectionary. It has taken us through some very familiar Old Testament stories over the past couple of months, and now this week, we move into the Prophets, and will be listening to some well known, and less known writers and their prophecies over the next few weeks as we approach the season of Advent. 
So to the Prophet Micah, a promise for a little, unimportant backwater, and perhaps one of the most well known verses:
What does the Lord require of you?
To act justly, love mercy and walk humbly with God.

This simple command tells us how to live right. How to be.
Very simple
Extraordinarily profound
And! Imagine what the world would be like if every man woman and child lived by that mantra.
If we really did always act justly, mercifully, humbly – what would our world be like then?!

The prophet has wondered about how people were living: he looked at the faithful acts they employed then – making burnt offerings; bringing the best of the crop to dedicate to God – seeking to be worthy as they gathered regularly to worship God.

Micah identifies an age old truth: we can never do it all!
We can never work hard enough; give generously enough; offer enough to pay back all that God gives us...

And here is the most wonderful thing of all!
We don’t have to!
Faith and living a faithful life is actually far more simple than most people expect.
And in that simplicity lies the difficulty!

I read on one of the ministers websites this week this very profound interpretation: “almost ALL of us find it easier to spend time and energy on helping people "walk humbly with God" and "do kindness" than we do on helping people learn to "love justice."” 
(Facebook, Narrative Lectionary Group)

He was so right!
We see injustices: and we know something needs to be done
But, we are at a loss to know what.
How can I influence other nations, or the government, or the banks? Or local planning? Or those who act differently to me?
How can I help the world to be a better place?
I know I can be kind and merciful.
I even know I can strive to follow God to the best of my ability.
But what do I do about the rest? How can I act justly in everything I do?

I have often reflected on this verse; it is one that has cropped up in various places and times over the years; but I think this is the first time is has coincided with Remembrance.

So I turned to young Wilfred Owen. A young army officer so galled by what he saw that he was moved to write: not about the glories of war, but of its futility. In his collection of poems, published under the title of Futility he wrote this as the preface:
“This book is not about heroes. English poetry is not yet fit to speak of them. Nor is it about deeds, or lands, nor anything about glory, honour, might, majesty, dominion, or power, except War.
Above all I am not concerned with Poetry.
My subject is War, and the pity of War.
The poetry is in the pity.
Yet these elegies are to this generation no sense conciliatory. They may be to the next. All a poet can do today is warn. That is why true Poets must be truthful.
If I thought the letter of this book would last, I might have used proper names; but if the spirit of it survives – survives Prussia – my ambition and those names will have achieved themselves fresher fields than Flanders.”

I wonder what he’d think, if he knew that his words did indeed last, that we, one hundred years later, still read his poems; still try to understand his words. That War is not the answer, that lives given are priceless still. That to die for one’s country may be a necessary evil, but it is not the sweet glory that the journalists of the time were espousing.

Out of the most unexpected places, come the most astounding promises.
Bethlehem – the little unimportant town, became globally important

Out of the War to end all wars came some of the most beautiful and profound truths, writ into astonishing poetry.
Not Owen alone, but Sassoon and Binyan and McRae and countless others who wrote from experience and gave us a lasting legacy.

We wear our poppies with pride
We remember the fallen of one hundred years ago
And of fifty years ago

And of ten years
And last year
And this...
And, for as long as we and our children have breath, we will remember still. For to forget is unthinkable.