Last Sunday marked the 80^th anniversary of the Battle of Britain when the outnumbered planes of the RAF protected the skies of Britain against Hitler’s Luftwaffe, ahead of a planned invasion of Britain.  This came to be seen as a critical turning point in the Second World War.  The church services held around the country, including in our own church here at St Mary’s Banbury, are in no way a glorification of war, but a memorial to the bravery and self-sacrifice of the few who fought against an unseen enemy.  Those previous generations acted so bravely to ensure that we might live in a country free from evil dictatorship and since then we have enjoyed the fruits of peace with our European friends and allies for over seven decades.

During this time much reconciliation work has been carried out by Coventry Cathedral and its Community of the Cross of Nails (CCN) with partners across the world and especially in Germany.  I have experienced at first hand the strong bonds of friendship and international kindness nurtured amongst CCN partners, and I know there will be a continuing need to work together in our post-Brexit environment.  Whatever political and economic arguments have been voiced about the role of Europe in recent years, we shall need to build bridges once again within our own fractured communities and with our European neighbours.  We need to remind ourselves continually that there is far more which unites us than divides us and we need to be kind to one another.  God calls us to be reconciled with each other so that human beings may flourish in God’s world.

Next Sunday (26^th September), Community of the Cross of Nails Sunday will be celebrated across the globe, and CCN partnership organisations will have access to an online service from Coventry Cathedral which reminds us to heal the wounds of history, live with difference and celebrate diversity, and build a culture of peace.  If you would like to learn more about this organisation and how it connects schools, churches, NHS chaplaincies and interfaith organisations, you can click on this link to follow the CCN service:

http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/ccn/cross-of-nails-sunday/

And why not print out and keep to hand for your daily use the following blessing which is prayed by the Dean of Coventry at the end of the service so that we can all play our part in promoting loving kindness and reconciliation, both locally and in a wider setting:

Blessing based on the words of Henri Frederic Amiel (1821 – 1881)

Life is short, and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who journey with us.

And so make haste to love, and be swift to be kind;

And may the God who travels with us, the God of pilgrimage, the God of Hope,

Bless, care and keep you,

Father, Son and Holy Spirit,

Now and always.  Amen.

Sarah Bourne, Chaplain for the Arts – 23^rd September 2020            sarahbourne@banburystmary.org.uk