[vimeo 31947180
This video will be shown during the Act of Remembrance at S. Thomas the Apostle, Elson in Gosport this Sunday
The congregation are invited to come forward and place a poppy on/around a cross during this poignant meditation.
Please feel free to download this video for use in your own acts of remembrance either from here or from Agnus Dei here
Many have commented on the rise in observance of Remembrance around the country: more poppies, more money raised for the Royal British Legion (good, I say) and a seemingly greater commitment to the two-mins silence today at 11am. A few years ago, I recall remarking that some seemed to be a little embarrassed by the Act of Remembrance, it seemed to have lost its way, but I believe that two factors have rightly put this back in the national consciousness. The first is that the last veteran of the Great War has been gathered to God: there is no one alive to witness to it, so the responsibility passes to us all. In many ways this is the same tipping point as the early church, when the original witnesses to Christ had died, and the important message had to be spread further: awareness actually rises. The second is the current conflicts: our presence in Afghanistan and the dangerous situations across the world where our servicemen are in the front line. It brings it home to us that today is real.
Here in Gosport, Remembrance has always meant something, as the Service life touches everyone who lives and works here. The Royal Navy lives in Gosport, even if the base is across the Ferry. Everyone is either related to or knows someone who served and all who served know someone who died. We will gather on Sunday in our droves and in our little Church there will be masses to people remembering. The Uniformed Organisations will be out in force, colours will be presented, God will be praised and the fallen remembered.
Rest eternal grant unto them, O Lord and let light perpetual shine upon them
May they rest in peace and rise in glory.