Dear Friends,

November, surely, is a month of remembering. Whether it’s All Saints or All Souls Day, Armistice Day or Remembrance Sunday, or even Bonfire Night, this is a time to step back and reflect on memories of those people and places that form part of our individual and wider stories.

November doesn’t just represent a once-a-year opportunity to remember but rather a chance to get into the habit of reflecting. Taking time to pause and remember the important events of our own lives, help us to journey forward so that we can travel forward into Advent with a clearer understanding of what it means to call ourselves children of the Living God. Our roots hold us firmly in place as we grow.

Luke’s account of the crucifixion tells us of an unnamed criminal, hanging at Jesus’ side, who asks to be remembered. Jesus, the Son of God who knew all that man’s crimes, hurts, joys and sorrows, promised that he would be. Though life is at times complicated, ours is a God who takes us as we are, whatever it is that we carry. God who cannot and will not forget us.

In November we remember. We remember who we are and where we have come from. We remember those we have loved and lost and those world events that have caused others to lose loved ones. We remember that ours is a God who loves beyond reason.

We offer all of these things and more to a God who knows and loves us.

Love and blessings,

Laura