IT WAS a Remembrance Sunday like no other, but the heartfelt sentiments were exactly the same this year on November 8, at Redditch’s War Memorial by St Stephen’s Church.
Filmed in advance to avoid the customary crowds as Redditch remembers, the service, led by town centre chaplain Reverend Paul Lawlor, nevertheless reached out and touched everyone.
Standing in front of the plaque inside St Stephen’s Church which carries the names of the fallen from World War I, the Rev Lawlor asked: “How did these people walk in the midst of the challenges they faced – and how can we learn from their experience?
“When we look back at the past, yes we can look at what was achieved, but I suggest we look at how they travelled, how they behaved, what principles did they hold to.
“What values did they espouse in their lives, what does the Lord require of us, to act justly, the love of mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Can we look to those times when they did just that?
“None of us is perfect, but we can seek to make a world a better place by holding to these motives that go way beyond fear and go to a place where we yearn to act for the good of others, and not just ourselves.”
The video, shot by Claire Bullivant, captured the essence of Remembrance Sunday, and Council Leader Matt Dormer said it was a format that could be repeated in the future.
“The video was excellent, especially as, in the circumstances, people could enjoy it at home, and it will still be there for the future.
“I definitely want to thank the council’s communications team and Claire for doing such a great job.
“I’m not saying this will be the way forward, but there are many people who in normal circumstances can’t attend but would like to and perhaps we can look to a hybrid version in the years ahead to make it even more inclusive.”
