Remembrance in Places of Worship?

 

A display made up of 10,000 handmade poppies is being unveiled at an East Sussex church (Great Britain) to mark 80 years since the end of World War Two.

A few days ago we stopped in at a small but excellent Korean restaurant in Trenton, a neigbouring community where we attend weekly worship. We walked in to see that every table but one (there are only seven or eight) was occupied by members of the Canadian military, in uniform. When we eventually paid our bill I joked with the owner that everyone on the nearby military base must have decided to eat there that day. CFB Trenton is the largest base in Canada and its presence affects everything in the community. Our grandchildren attend an excellent French school on the base and the majority of the kids are Francophones because their parents are originally from Quebec. 

Over the years there have been many past and present military personnel in our congregation, Trenton United, and Rev. Isaac, our son, has been respectful of their presence and their contributions to our life together. Today Canadian Legion members will participate in the service, the closest to this Remembrance Day. which marks the 80th anniversary since the end of WW2.  

As the son and son-in-law of WW2 veterans I have always found this a poignant time of the year and more often than not made time to attend commemorations at a cenotaph on November 11.  

During worship services  through the decades we acknowledged both gratitude and a commitment to peace as followers of Christ, the Prince of Peace. Often a World War 2 veteran would carry a memorial wreath to the front of the sanctuary as the service began, until during my final pastorate there were none left who were steady enough on their pins to make that sombre walk down the aisle. In the 1980s there was an aged WW1 vet in the congregation I served, and although he was no longer able to attend church he was remarkably lucid and had a sense of humour. Most of the congregations I served had plaques recognizing those who served and died during the two world wars of the 21st century. 

Should we continue to include a recognition of those who have served and continue to do so in our congregations?  I imagine that there are lots that don't, particularly those whose focus is contemporary worship.There were always individuals in congregations that didn't like even a brief acknowledgment of Remembrance Sunday, even though we certainly never glorified war. 

 It might seem like a relic from the past yet we live in a world where military conflicts seem to abound. The recent federal budget commits Canada to spending an astonishing amount on the military after decades of underfunding as a recognition of the changing geo-political landscape. I no longer have to wrestle with what we do on Sunday mornings but I will always do my best to demonstrate gratitude and respect, God being my helper.