Remembrance Service

Looking out over the congregation 

gathered today

to remember.

Youngsters who have grown up in our midst

no older than those killed in war

Older folks who grew up with stories

of family members lost in war

Or with a silence from those

who found it too painful to speak

of all that they had seen and experienced

Or with the stigma of those who returned

forever damaged by doing their duty.

And then those for whom 

the loss and the memories

are very personal and still wound

Those who can picture

the lost and the maimed.

Alongside those that bit removed

but still scarred by the knock on effects

Noticing, too, the gaps in the congregation

of the ones who were not there today

who would rather remain at home 

on this Remembrance Day

Alone with their thoughts

Alone with their tears.

But each one

the young

the old

the absent

United in remembering

And in their remembering

pledging 

to find a way to peace.