Remember, Remember

November is a month of remembrance. We start on 5^th November:

Remember remember the fifth of November
Gunpowder, treason and plot.
I see no reason why gunpowder, treason
Should ever be forgot...

Though it is questionable now 400 years on whether the events of November 5^th 1605 are recalled by many people in any detail. Certainly children now seem more preoccupied with Halloween at this time of the year rather than Penny for the Guy.

But of course the other remembrance in November is that of 11^th November and the Sunday preceding it, in which the servicemen and women who have died in war and conflict are remembered.

For me this year’s Remembrance service will be very poignant. In my role as volunteer police chaplain I have tried to attend many of the repatriations for the fallen being brought home from Afghanistan. Sadly, I now know the routine all too well. I hear the news of a death on the news and then know that typically, about 5 or 6 days later, I will receive an email from the police telling when the ceremony will take place. I then join the ranks of ex servicemen, fire fighters, police officers and members of the public that gather at Gable Cross Police station for the cortege to come past on the way to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford.

On 14^th July, 8 young men were repatriated and that event made the international news. But somehow what is most saddening is to see a single coffin returning. One ex serviceman called Jack, who I have got to know well said to me on one such occasion “It’s sad to see a poor wee laddie on his own parted from his friends”. And I know what Jack meant.

Back in August, the funeral of Britain’s last veteran from the First World War – Harry Patch – took place. Having recently read Mr Patch’s biography I was moved by his comments that he believed war was organised murder. And in referring to the First World War he said "It was not worth it, it was not worth one let alone all the millions.”

I am sure many of us feel the same about Afghanistan. It is not worth the lives of the over 200 men and women from this country (let alone the hundreds from other countries and the thousands of civilians.)

Almighty God, help us to remember and learn the lessons of the past: the cost of war, the price of peace, the scope of human depravity and the extent of human sacrifice. Remind us of all we owe, lest we forget. We ask it in the name of Christ. Amen.

David (Prayer adapted from “Prayers for all seasons” by Nick Fawcett 1998.)

People don't want a Christian funeral

Father Ed Tomlinson an Anglican, Forward in Faith vicar (i.e. doesn't like women priests) has said in a blog that funerals are becoming too non Christian. I agree. But he gives the reason as being that people want to use secular music and doggrel poems instead of having music associated with a requiem mass.

He then goes on to say that And I am further concerned that an opportunity for evangelism is slipping through our fingers. http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/comment/faith/article6881679.ece

What is up with this guy? Doesn't he realise that his attitude will put off people?

I despair!

Climate Change - The Wave 5th December 2009

We went to a rally in the centre of Swindon on Saturday to protest against claimte change. The rally was organised by Swindon Churches Together and had been well publicised. But only around 40 people turned up.

Good speeches by a rep from Christian Aid, one of the local MPs and a local minister.

But I get the sense of apathy about this most important of issues.

As Christians we believe we are stewards of this planet. SO we need to move from apathy and make our voices heard.

Join the campaign. Come to The Wave rally in London on 5th December. http://www.christianaid.org.uk/ActNow/Countdown-to-Copenhagen-climate-change/climate-march-london.aspx

British Airways poor customer service

A couple of weeks ago we booked flights to California for next summer flying with British Airways. We were a bit reluctant to fly BA as it seems BA has a tendency to lose bags, go on strike, etc etc. And in fact we could have flown Air New Zealand for about the same price. But we thought we'd fly BA and do our bit for Blighty.

2 days later BA announce that it has introduced an extra charge for passengers who want to pre book their seats up to 10 days before flying. From what I can tell this charge would work out at maybe an extra £60 each.

I wrote to Willy Walsh the BA CEO to complain not thinking for a moment my complaint would be dealt with properly. Well, yesterday I received a letter from BA Customer Services which is basically a rehash of their original press release. In other words not answering my letter at all. However, the letter informs me that BA have introduced this new arrangement in response to "customer demand".

Tell me. What customer wants to pay more for something that they should be able to do anyway? BA will have had almost £2000 of my hard earned money for a year and in order for me to sit with my family on a flight I have to pay more for the privilege.

Yes customers may want to be able to select their seats more than 24 hours beforehand. But who in their right mind wants to pay a fee for doing so? No doubt some people with more money than sense.