As I sit writing this, it is a day after my birthday. This always leads me to be a bit reflective, even more so as the years roll on.
It is funny how perspectives change over the years. I remember being at school in the 1980’s and hearing about two things that stick in my mind. One was Hong Kong, being handed back to China, which was to be in 1997, and then the Millenium, in 2000 of course. That was going to be 20 years away! I remember thinking, ‘when that happens, I will be ancient!! I will be in my 30’s’.
As a teenager, my 30’s seemed light years away, I imagined myself to be an old man at 33. But here we are nearly 25 years after these events, and I am still not an old man, well I do not think so (although young people may disagree!). Time moves quickly, and the years go back quicker than you imagine. Anniversaries and remembrance become important, perhaps more so, with the passage of time.
We are coming up for two notable events in our churches calendar. The 40th Anniversary of Dundee Congregational Church (Ward Chapel and Panmure Trinity joining), the church, which has stood since 1833, so it’s 191st anniversary, and of course the church roots go back even further to the church being founded in 1809, some 215 years ago. I wonder back in 1809 they could imagine people worshiping here hundreds of years later?
Then, Remembrance Sunday in November, a poignant day as we remember those who have been lost in conflicts since the Great War. When I wander round our church, I am not only reminded of those from our church who paid the ultimate sacrifice, but that we are the custodians of memorials from many churches that are no longer there. Charged with remembering them. We are also custodians of many standards from our ex-services.
It is so important that with both services we are remembering the service of others. In October, for our church, and in November for freedom and peace.
Time passes quickly. To pause and remember is the right thing to do. Remembering those who have gone before. To remember those who have served, so that we might be here today. Without their service, for the church, and especially those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, who knows where we would be today.
On Remembrance Sunday, I will say the words ‘When You Go Home, Tell Them of Us and Say, For Your Tomorrow, We Gave Our Today.’
Because of those who have gone before, we have a tomorrow. Let us look forward to it, remembering, not forgetting, but seeing it as the gift that it is.
Your friend and minister.
Alan
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