8 May 1945 .... would remain in the memory of all those who experienced it.

Some of you will already have seen me deliver a version of this short reflection for the VE Weekend, as it was filmed, and we have been able to upload it onto both the St Barnabas and St James websites.  Some of the rules on access to church buildings are changing, and I hope I will be able to record others from within our church buildings next week!

A Reflection for the VE Weekend

8 May 1945 was a date that would remain in the memory of all those who experienced it. It marked the end of nearly six years of war – a war that cost millions of lives and ripped apart homes and families, indeed whole communities. It was a war that affected not just those serving in the armed forces, but also affected the civilian population. Many endured the blackout, and frequent bombing raids. People undertook work in factories and on the farms, families in rural communities made room for children evacuated from the cities.

It was not surprising then that people rejoiced at the news that Nazi Germany had surrendered. They organised street parties and rang out the church bells.  But as we know, it was not the end of the armed conflict of the Second World War. The war against Japan was to continue until August 1945 and the hardships of rationing of food and clothing were to continue for some years, during a time of social and economic readjustment.

For some, the lively celebrations of that first VE Day would have been hard to bear.  Those who had lost loved ones in the conflict, those worried about the safety of those still serving overseas or held in prisoner of war camps.  This was a moment of national joy and relief, of course, but tinged with a sense of sadness and loss.

Earlier this year, we began to make preparations to mark this 75^th anniversary of VE Day. As we planned, we could never have guessed that we would be struck by this terrible pandemic.

The image of our world At War against the virus is one that is often used in news reports. We speak of our hospital and care-home staff as being ‘on the front line’. We look anxiously at the daily figures of deaths and we pray for those who are battling for their lives.

Perhaps one of the strongest images from these days of ‘Lockdown’ has been the amazing Captain Tom Moore, who walked laps of his garden to mark his 100^th birthday, and through social media has raised over £30 million for the NHS.  Captain Tom has inspired us all dressed in his smart blazer with war medals worn with pride. He has been made an honorary colonel, has had an RAF fly-past and been sent special greetings by the Queen. I think that this story brings together two wonderful qualities - the tenacious courage of Tom’s generation and the enthusiasm of a younger generation, equipped to communicate effectively through social media. They have achieved amazing things, by working together.

The bible reading appointed for today is one that is familiar to us from many funeral services. It is Jesus’ words to his friends, his followers just before his own death.  He encourages them with the words – “Do not let your hearts be troubled, believe in God, believe also in me.  In my Father’s house there are many dwelling places.” The message is the Kingdom of God’s Love has room for people of all ages and backgrounds.

It seems to me that if we are to build something worthwhile out of chaos of the coronavirus pandemic, we will need both the quiet tenacity of Captain Tom and the soaring eager vision of those who were able to translate that faithful walk into a social media message that has touched the whole nation. Our society will need to have a place for everyone’s gifts, everyone’s contribution, everyone’s skills.  In the future that I hope we can build together, there needs to be a place for celebration, for laughter and re-unions and hugs, but there also needs to be a place of rest and restoration for those who have carried the heaviest burdens, and a place where those who have lost loved ones and livelihoods are given space to grieve and to heal.