Dear friends,
It’s Remembrance Sunday this week. And, as I have for many years, I will wear two poppies. One red, one white.
The red to remember those who have lost their lives or suffered in conflicts past and present and in respect for the sacrifice of those who gave their tomorrows for our today.
Conflicts past. I have a photo of my grandad in his uniform going to the WWI trenches. “The war to end all wars”, they said. My grandad died when I was very young but I understand he never spoke of his experiences. I also have a photo of my Uncle Bill sent from a prisoner of war camp after he was captured in Crete during WWII He had stories of great hardship as they were marched along the whole of Italy to get the Germany. He was a changed man.
And now? War is in the news every day. It’s estimated that more than 204 million people now live in areas under the control of armed groups. We hear from our Ukrainian lodger about her family living with electricity only a few hours a day, no clean running water and the constant threat of drones. Truly awful.
More than ever we need to pray for peace: for wisdom for world leaders, for peacekeepers and negotiators, for international law and humanitarian organisations, and for all, on whatever side, in areas for conflict. That’s what my white poppy represents.
I’d like to share words written by Sir Terry Waite, for “The Peacemakers”, a piece by Karl Jenkins (you may know his composition “The Armed Man”).
Peace is the fragile meeting
Of two souls in harmony.
Peace is an embrace
That protects and heals.
Peace is a reconciling
Of opposites.
Peace is rooted in love,
It lies within the heart,
Waiting to be nourished,
Blossom
And flourish,
Until it embraces the world.
May we know the harmony of peace,
May we sing the harmony of peace,
Until in the last days,
We rest in peace.
May peace, rooted in love, be with us all,
Wendy