This was a great day! Just a few weeks ago I met the Rev George Mitchell for the first time at a retired clergy function in Saint Nicholas'. A short time before that I'd heard about him from a colleague.
What is remarkable here?
Well, the first rector of Saint Nicholas' was George's father! George had been born in the parish and spent his boyhood here... what a treat for us to have him as the guest preacher on Remembrance Sunday.
He was fantastic. Beginning his sermon by remembering some events from his boyhood and then remembering the declaration of war in 1939 when he'd have been just about sixteen years old.
George then helped us to remember why men and women left home to serve King and country to deal with the threat from Germany. He didn't need to go into detail as he mentioned Poland, Auschwitz, and other places that bring a chill to your heart.
And then he directed our thinking to every Sunday being remembrance - remembering the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ. Now that's only a very sketchy outline... but every minute of his sermon held us totally in concentration.
It was such a privilege to have him with us.
One member of the honour guard had gone home by the time this picture was taken - it is always a privilege to see those who served in the War, and in conflicts since then, wear their medals with pride. The lady in the red jacket has been collecting for the Poppy Appeal for fifty five years.
Some of the young people had their photograph taken with George and then the churchwarden took them to the vestry to see the picture of his Dad! I'd love to know what they thought of the whole experience. They laid poppies at the memorial and were as good as gold during the two minute silence.
Not only is this a close up of Hazel, the poppy seller, but over her right shoulder you can see another of the Mitchell family - that lady is George's younger sister!
Finally, a self-portrait! You don't see me in a black shirt very often so I thought that the moment ought to be recorded! The gorilla pod is a useful tool when you want to take this kind of picture!
It was a good day. The choir anthem was magnificent - why I didn't think to record it beats me! Beautiful, "There are many rooms....". A lot of folk remarked on it afterwards.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home.
Beneath the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure;
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.
Church Hymnal number 537
Isaac Watts (1674-1748)
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