An exceptionally large number of people turned out for the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Bowmanville. It wasn’t because of the good weather, although that helped. It was because of the recent deaths of Canadian soldiers on Canadian soil.
The speeches were sobering, the wreath-laying was poignant and the closing parade of veterans, servicemen and women, and cadets moved our hearts. The preponderance of Christian hymns and Trinitarian prayers were a hopeful surprise. But the thing that I will always remember about this day was the roar and riveting sight of a bright yellow vintage aircraft that flew above us painting a huge circle of white smoke in the heavens, a sky high symbol of solidarity and community.
MJ, a member of our church family, found her own way to draw a circle meant to draw us together. She did it with words that challenge all of us:
The speeches were sobering, the wreath-laying was poignant and the closing parade of veterans, servicemen and women, and cadets moved our hearts. The preponderance of Christian hymns and Trinitarian prayers were a hopeful surprise. But the thing that I will always remember about this day was the roar and riveting sight of a bright yellow vintage aircraft that flew above us painting a huge circle of white smoke in the heavens, a sky high symbol of solidarity and community.
MJ, a member of our church family, found her own way to draw a circle meant to draw us together. She did it with words that challenge all of us:
“LET US NEVER FORGET those men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice for us! LET US NEVER FORGET those who died during the Holocaust and all other genocides since then! LET US NEVER FORGET those who have died in cold-hearted, cowardice acts of terrorism such as Vincent and Cirillo. LET US NEVER FORGET to come alongside those who are on the fringes of society, no matter what their challenges are, and try to find a way to knit them in to the main fabric. LET US NEVER FORGET not to point the finger of blame to a specific people group or neighbourhood when tragedy happens! LET US NEVER FORGET that when we point the finger of blame, there are 3 fingers pointing back at us. This means that we are ALL responsible for the problem and we are ALL responsible for the solution! LET US NEVER FORGET to build bridges instead of building walls!!! LET US NEVER FORGET that no matter what the outside wrapping looks like, we ALL have the same 206 bones and the same organs!!!! GOD CREATED US ALL THE SAME!!! So let's try to get along!!! LET US NEVER FORGET!!!!”- Pastor Peter and MJ
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