Prayer Stations for Remembrance Day: Remembrance and Peace We felt it was important to offer an alternative to those who preferred something more family friendly than the large civic Remembrance Service. We knew it was likely to be a small service so we decided to keep it simple and offer just two prayer stations, one remembering the effects of war and the other on the need for peace. We began by telling the Godly Play story of Exile and Return. After the fall of Jerusalem the soldiers march the captured Israelites off to a life of exile in Babylon. After the storytelling, the congregation had a choice of visiting the prayer stations or staying for a reflection. This used Jesus' sayings from the Sermon on the Mount as a way of thinking about our attitude to remembrance. This was followed by intercessions. Station 1: Remember Words:Today we are remembering all those have been affected by war:Those who have lost friends or family Those who have lost their homes Those in exile Refugees The injured Those who have died As a symbol of remembrance you may like to make or take a poppy to place on the cloth. Station 2: Peace Blue and white cloths created a calm atmosphere for this station. A vase of white flowers was placed on the font and three white doves of peace were placed on the wooden board at the back. Words:Today is an opportunity to pray for peacePeace in places of fighting Peace in our homes Peace in our places of work Peace in our churches Our own personal peace The peace of God, which passes all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. As a symbol of our prayers for peace you may like to make a dove or take one away with you At the end of the service the Roll of Honour was read out by a child and the poppies were laid on a green cloth. Sarah |