In the year after the 80th anniversary of the VE Day, Luton Borough Council held Remembrance Sunday event on Sunday 9 and on Tuesday 11 November a brief Armistice Day service took place on the steps of the Town Hall.
On Sunday 9 November, the annual Remembrance Sunday Parade set off from Park Street West, and marched towards the Town Hall for a short service at 11am led by Pastor Lloyd Denny. The service included prayers, participation from civic & faith leaders, the laying of wreaths at the War Memorial, and a moment of silent reflection to remember those who gave their lives in service. You can watch the video recording https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yh2E6dqqcCo made available by Martin Gazeley. The commemoration service concluded with the singing of the National Anthem.
Hundreds gathered in remembering the sacrifices of previous generations, whilst at the same time remembering men and women currently serving with the armed services.
In his reflection, Prof Zafar Khan, Chair of Luton Council of Faiths, said, “I do hope we know this already, but if we don’t, it is important to note that amongst those killed in the two World Wars, included Muslim-Sikh-Hindu-Asian-African-Middle Eastern soldiers too. It is important to remind these facts to those who are busy validating sectarian, nationalist, and racist actions.”
“And if we are truly serious about remembering ‘ALL’ those who laid their lives for the world peace, then it is worth listening to these words of Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama, who said, “Peace, in the sense of the absence of war, is of little value to someone who is dying of hunger or cold. Peace can only last where human rights are respected, where people are fed, and where individuals and nations are free.”
“Whether it is the 80th Anniversary of VE Day in Europe, or the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp; whether it is the 30th Anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia, the genocide in Rwanda or it is the COP30 – the 30th meeting of the world leaders to save our world from the climate crisis as recently, scientists have told that the world has crossed its first irreversible climate tipping point; we all have a duty take up some responsibility to create a world where peace, justice, integrity of creation, and compassion, and prosperity of ‘ALL’ prevail. That will be our best tribute “in action” to all those we so solemnly remember today.”
Revd Mike Jones, Vicar of St Mary’s Luton, offered Prayers;
We pray for all who suffer as a result of conflict,
and ask. God give us peace:
for the service men and women
who have died in the violence of war,
each one remembered by and known to God;
God give peace.
For those who love them in death as in life,
offering the distress of our grief
and the sadness of our loss;
God give peace.
For all members of the armed forces
who are in danger this day,
remembering family, friends
and all who pray for their safe return;
God give peace.
For women, children and men
whose lives are disfigured by war or terror,
calling to mind in penitence
the anger and hatreds of humanity;
God give peace.
For peacemakers and peacekeepers,
who seek to keep this world secure and free;
God give peace.
For all who bear the burden and privilege of leadership,
political, civic, military and religious;
asking for gifts of wisdom and resolve
in the search for reconciliation and peace;
God give peace.
God of truth and justice,
we hold before you those whose memory we cherish,
and those whose names we will never know.
Help us to lift our eyes above the torment of this broken world,
and grant us the grace to pray for those who wish us harm and work for peace.
As we honour the past,
Grant us imagination for a good future together
for you are the source of life and hope,
now and for ever. Amen.
Blessing by St Mary's Luton
© 2023 Mike Jones & Peter Adams
We bless Luton and all who live or work here, whatever your nationality, faith, or culture
That you would prosper under the mighty hand of God.
that you would know justice and righteousness, prosperity and peace.
May kindness, generosity, respect and unity be yours.
The Blessing of God Almighty, the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be upon you and those you love, now and forever, Amen.
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Also read; https://www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-events/news/powerful-commemoration-of-every-life-lost-in-war
