Jenny’s letter: Remembrance Sunday
Dear Friends,
We are delighted to welcome pupils, their families and some staff from The COOP Academy Woodslee and Mendell Primary schools, alongside our local uniformed organisations and their families. This Sunday, all over this country, people will gather together to remember those who have died in all conflicts, as well as to pray for peace. This week I have had the privilege of working with pupils from Woodslee and Mendell as we have prepared prayers for our Sunday service and looked at the memorials within St Barnabas church building and in the graveyard. Their knowledge and understanding of the issues around war and conflict are truly inspiring.
Did you know that we are one of the few churches that still has one of the crosses that first marked the grave of an unknown soldier on the battle fields of Western France? When more permanent headstones were created, the crosses were brought back and offered to churches in Britain as a memorial. We don’t know who was responsible for bringing the cross to St Barnabas, but we are honoured to have it. It lives on the wall in the Lady Chapel and a wreath will be placed there this weekend. The memorials on our church walls and in our graveyard tell us a lot about how the men and some women of whole families were wiped out because of war. They tell us about the things that occurred after the wars that ultimately changed Bromborough from a farming community surrounded by some very large houses to the community we have today.
Since 1864 the current St Barnabas church building has been at the heart of this village and continues to be so. We share faith with the Methodist Church, The Evangelical church and the Gospel Hall but our spire forms a landmark that can be seen from some distance and the village war memorial stands in our grounds. We consider it vital that we share affordable hospitality for all, and our café which is housed in the old school and now called the village centre, offers free tea and coffee throughout the week. It’s a place to be warm too.
‘Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.
(Matthew 11.28-29)
Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.’
I pray that as you come to church to remember, you will also find welcome and a chance to lay down your worries and concerns at the foot of the cross. People often tell me that they feel deep peace in St Barnabas. I pray that as we pray for peace in our world, you will also know the peace of God in your life.
Wishing you a good week ahead and every blessing,
Jenny