This Sunday we remember our forebears in faith; those we’ve lost, and those who remind us of God’s love
In this life we cannot do great things. We can only do small things with love.
St. Theresa of Calcutta
Each year on the first Sunday of November we remember those we’ve lost over the last year. Most folks in the culture around us are busy setting up parties and getting ready for trick-or-treating on All Hallow’s Eve. We may be doing that too, but the morning after is All Saints’ Day. We’ll join with our friends at St. Mark’s Church in their garden at 9:30 am.
We start by reading the names of those who’ve passed from St. Marks, and we toll the bell to mark each name. Rev. Andrea Castner Wyatt will lead us in prayer. We then process behind the bagpiper, through the Burnett Memorial Cemetery and on to St. Mark’s Circle. Then we turn onto St. Mark’s Street and walk until we reach the intersection with Common Street, and we stand at the front of Pilgrim Church to hear the names of those who’ve passed from our community. We toll the bell and then listen to prayers brought by Pastor Charley. Finally, the choir brings a song and we dismiss with a blessing.
The point is not to mourn, but to celebrate those who’ve gone ahead.
We reflect on the impact of their lives on our lives. It’s a powerful ritual, and there’s really nothing quite like it in our church year. If you haven’t been before, we hope you’ll join us this time. If the walk is too much for you, you are welcome to join us in the St. Mark’s garden for the start, and then you can just meet us at the front of Pilgrim when we arrive.
After a brief fellowship, we each head to our own churches for our respective worship services. As always at this time of year, if you have someone you’d like us to remember by reading their name, please submit their name to Debbie ASAP. You may submit non-members as well, so please feel welcome to share others for inclusion in our ceremony.
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