As the evenings grow darker and the Autumn colours start to fade, we have two special services this week. We have All Saints Day, the festival that named our church and we also have our Memorial Service when we remember loved ones who are no longer with us.
Historically these festivals have been on consecutive days with All Saints and All Souls Days. They pair together the reality of the life and some of the season around us. All Saints Day celebrates the truth that those who believe in Jesus are made Holy through faith and here on earth join in the eternal worship in heaven. Traditionally on All Souls and for us this Sunday at our Memorial Service we acknowledge our sadness of loss that friends and family have gone before us and we miss them.
All Saints Day and the Memorial Service bring together the two sides of Christian hope. We joyfully worship with the church worldwide and throughout history. We also admit that we miss those who have gone before us into glory. Both of these are held equally in our lives as we live both joyful but also lamenting hope in the goodness of God.
Rev Roland Slade