Over the years I have collected some resources in this blog that may be of assistance to anyone leading a Remembrance Sunday service.
These include:
The Preachers Toolkit - list of useful information which I found when researching my first Remembrance Sunday service. This can be supplemented by material from the Methodist Church's own site here.
Women at War - sometimes we forget the contribution and participation that women make during war time. I tried to remedy this one year by reading a section from Lucilla Andrew's book No Time To Love. I found it quite moving especially as I had the honour of meeting Lucilla.
Searching the Commonwealth War Graves site - this is very simple, can be absorbing but brings home to a congregation the impact that both wars had on every local community. It would be possible to get the youth organisations or other members of the congregation to tell the story of local people with local addresses. The CWG records for the Second World War list UK civilian casualties, especially interesting in large towns and cities which suffered air attacks. I used the stories to write a press release that brought in non-church goers.
War poetry - every library now has a collection of the poetry of the First World War. These are now available online and can make a moving and challenging - and often secular - contribution to the service. My favourite is not about the dead, but the living, Wilfred Owen's Disabled is s reminder of those who returned broken in mind and spirit. Beware - it isn't too kind on the role of Christians!
Another favourite must always be Studdart Kennedy aka "Woodbine Willy". I wrote in more detail about him here, much of what he says and its impact go well beyond the war and may in the future be used to illuminate how 20th century people changed their perception of God.
Finally, if anyone has any additional ideas please feel free to add them in the comment box. I no from previous years that these resources are heavily used during the next week and original ideas are always welcome.
Sometimes we are challenged why we still commemorate Remembrance Sunday (and I have more than a passing sympathy for that tradition in Methodism that prefers to wear a white poppy). Here I explain why I wear a poppy.
God bless you and have a good service.
NB some of the links given in posts were put together several years ago. If any are broken my apologies and would you alert me. Thanks
