Heavy stone-grey cloud cover across Stalmine provided a stark contrast to the flowers, the altar linens, petals and wreaths inside St. James’ church. Such elements shared one thing in common – the colour red. Red – the colour of danger, war, aggression, blood, life and vitality; red – the colour of love and passion, power, status and authority; red -the colour of sacrifice and spirituality. Unmistakably, such an intensely rich colour scheme could only represent one thing – Remembrance Sunday.
Rev. Tom Maidment led the Holy Communion service on this solemn occasion, including an Act of Remembrance and the congregation welcomed the local uniformed organisations, who presented their flags.
Following a similar pattern to churches and cenotaphs across the country, wreaths were laid on the church War Memorial on behalf of the Army, the Merchant Navy, the Royal Navy, the Royal Air Force, the Police Service, the Parish Council, the Women’s Institute, the National Coastwatch,
the Royal British Legion, the Burma Star Association, the Nursing Services and 1st Stalmine Scouts.
As 11.00am approached, the focus shifted to the back of the church as the mournful notes of the Last Post sounded and red petals fluttered softy and silently down from the balcony onto a red carpet, symbolising the extensive loss of life in wars and conflicts past and present.
The solemn observance of the two-minute silence, in-line with services across the nations, united the congregation in thought and deed.
Readings, hymns, prayers and homily revolved around the central themes of sacrifice and service, honour and remembrance.
The children’s Sunday Club followed similar themes and crafted some beautiful doves of peace, to symbolically fly above the chaos and
destruction of war.
The poignant day had been marked respectfully, thoughtfully and solemnly, leaving much to think about and be grateful for.
“They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old:
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning
We will remember them,”
(Laurence Binyon)
