Yesterday, world leaders gathered with the armed forces and their families in France to remember those who have fallen in pursuit of peace. On Remembrance Sunday, our local communities came together with military personnel, local dignitaries and faith leaders in remembrance.
The Rt Revd Andrew Watson, Bishop of Guildford, attended a service with around 1,000 at the Royal Garrison Church of All Saints in Aldershot. The service, including a parade, was attended by veterans, cadets, active service men and women, and their families.
Guildford Cathedral hosted the County Service of Remembrance, where the Rt Revd Paul Davies, Bishop of Dorking, preached the sermon and joined military personnel and fellow local dignitaries in laying wreaths at the altar.
Our churches have the honour of marking and remembering the local men and women who fell during the two world wars through memorial plaques and graves, which makes them key focal points for Remembrance Sunday events.
Like Bishops Andrew and Paul, many clergy gathered with local military groups in their churches or at their parish war memorials to remember those who “gave their today for our tomorrow”.
The Parish of Cove held a service at each of their churches, where they were delighted to be joined by the Royal Engineers. A traditional service was held at St John’s Church where a wreath was placed on the war memorial. At their contemporary service at Christ Church, they were also joined by the local primary school choir, and the local Rainbows, Brownies and Guides.
“We were pleased to be able to parade in all together, following members of the armed forces, with our Unit and Division Flags proudly on show, and two of our young members took part by taking readings.” Said Jo, the Girlguiding Farnborough Division Commissioner.
Over 200 children and adults attended the service and joined in a creative poppy prayer (made from cupcake cases and lolly sticks) as they prayed for those who have been affected by war.
Revd Gemma Foster, Rector at Cove, said, “It is an honour to be part of a community where so many have, and continue to, serve our country. Today as we gathered to both remember those who have served in war and pray for those places which are still impacted by conflict, it was wonderful to be joined by so many from our local community to do this. Many said how they found this time moving.”
At St Peter’s Church in Frimley, local cubs and scouts joined to drop poppy petals from the church’s balcony as part of the act of remembrance. The service was attended by service men and women, past and present.
St Peter’s has a particularly moving military connection as buried in their churchyard is Admiral of the Fleet Sir Doveton Sturdee, who had the right to be laid to rest in Westminster Abbey but chose St Peter’s churchyard.
Other parishes across the diocese shared the acts of remembrance they were involved in on social media, including Holy Trinity Claygate, St Mary’s Stoke d’Abernon, Walton Parish and Worplesdon Parish.
Thank you to everyone who helped in bringing our communities across the diocese together.