General Chat

Another couple of interesting and thought provoking weeks Cynthia. .

I don't post very often as I seldom feel I have anything to add but I do look in every day and appreciate you keeping the thread going. At times you must wonder if you are talking to yourself but I am sure there are others who don't post but do look in.so Thank You.

Good morning :-)

The War is over. What next?

Once the soldiers had been treated for their injuries, whether or not they had, it was commonplace for the men to be left to help themselves, with little or no financial help to get back on their feet in society.

Unemployment was low during the war but once the men had returned there weren’t enough jobs for all, even though women had largely had to leave the jobs they’d taken on.
There were a number of charities and organisations that tried to provide support and relief. The British Legion was formed in 1921 when four national organisations of ex-servicemen were united.

They helped with financial assistance for ex-servicemen and their families and helped them manage their injuries or disabilities, providing medical aids such as wheelchairs and crutches.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The War is over – what next?

The government thought it was important that those returning should quickly get back into everyday life, to their homes and jobs.

This was made more complicated by the fact that a large proportion of the men had been injured, and many suffered long-term disabilities caused by amputation, blindness, disfigurement and poison gas damage to heart and lungs.

Surgery had improved, and there were advances in artificial limbs and so sometimes doctors could help soldiers become independent once more, when the injuries were physical.

A greater challenge was helping those with mental health problems caused by the trauma of being in war.

“Shell shock” as it was called then, caused patients to shake, to have nightmares and to see and hear things that weren’t there. It was frequently impossible for someone with shell shock to lead a normal life.

Doctors didn’t really know how to treat mental health problems like these and sometimes their attempts were brutal – men would be told to stop being cowardly and pull themselves together.

Today we better understand the effect of traumatic events on mental health.

Lord, we pray for those who are suffering from PTSD due to recent conflicts. We ask that they be given the help and support they need. Amen.

Cx :-) :

Good morning :-)

That's a new one on me kandj :-)


The War was over – what next? Leaving the army

Before he would have left the battlefield, a soldier would have had a medical examination to document any injuries he had sustained. He would also be given forms for claiming civilian clothes and an employment certificate to show what he had done in the army. If he’d lost any of his equipment that would be logged because it would have to be paid for out of his wages.

On arrival in England, the man would move to a Dispersal Centre. This was a hutted or tented camp or barracks. Here he received a Protection Certificate which enabled him to get medical care and a railway warrant or ticket to his home station.

They’d receive any outstanding payments or vouchers to receive this from the post office, a ration book and could choose to have either a clothing allowance of 52 shillings and sixpence or be provided with a suit of plain clothes.

They had to return their army great coat within 28 days of leaving and were given a pound in return.

The soldiers might have expected a hero’s welcome but it wasn’t the same for all. In some places, there were bands at the railway stations playing triumphant music as the trains pulled in. Others may have arrived late at night to an empty platform.

Lord, we pray for soldiers who are returning home.

Cx :-)

Hello all

I have these words going around in my head.

Faithful one
So unchangng.
Ageless One
You're my rock of peace.
Lord of all I depend on You.
I call out to You, again and again,
I call out to You, again and again.
You are my rock n times of trouble.
You lift me up when I fall down.
All through the storm
Your love is the anchor.
My hope is in you alone.

Sending hugs for all who are struggling today.

Good afternoon :-)


The War was over – so what next? Going home

Winston Churchill, who was a politician at the time, decided that the order system wasn’t fair – those who’d been on farms and mines were often the last to be called up to join the war and so going home first angered the others who’d served for longer periods of time.

He changed the rules so other things were taken into account, – such as length of service and any injuries.

A few soldiers weren’t in a hurry to return home, or leave the army. They’d become accustomed to the way of life, or perhaps hadn’t family or friends to return to.

Some would stay and marry and raise families in the places where they’d fought, or continue to serve as soldiers in other parts of the world.

Those who did return home could find themselves on another long journey back to normality.

Lord, we pray for those who are leaving military service today. May they be well cared for. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


The War was over………so what next? Going home

After Armistice Day, on 11th November 1918, millions of soldiers hoped they would soon be sent home. Most would be disappointed, as moving so many was overwhelming. Many would have a long wait – sometimes over a year before their turn came.

Those who had worked on farms or in mines were allowed to go first because Britain needed to get its industry back up and running as quickly as possible. If the company you worked for before the war wrote to the government and said it was vital you returned, sometimes that might help you jump the queue, but if you were older, or your regular job wasn’t so important, you’d be further down the list.

The wait occasionally led to anger from the men, who would strike or mutiny and refuse to follow orders anymore.



Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Today is Remembrance Sunday

The Collect (special prayer) for today.

Heavenly Father,
whose blessed Son was revealed
to destroy the works of the devil
and to make us the children of God and heirs of eternal life:
grant that we, having this hope,
may purify ourselves even as he is pure;
that when he shall appear in power and great glory
we may be made like him in his eternal and glorious kingdom;
where he is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen.

The Gospel set for today is Luke 21 5-19. The Destruction of the Temple.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Look at a poppy…...

Poppies are bright and cheerful flowers: we thank God for the lives of those who have died in warfare, remembering all the love they shared with families and friends.

Look at the red petals: red reminds us of danger and harm. We ask God to be close to those who are facing danger each day, to give courage to the armed forces, and compassion to all who help others.

Place your whole hand over the poppy: poppies are also fragile and need to be handled gently. God cares for those who are hurting and those who are sad. We ask God to comfort all who are grieving the loss of someone they love.

Finally, place a finger on the centre of the poppy: ask God to help you play your part in working for peace in the world.

Cx :-)

Hello all

Lest We Forget.... this 11/11 annual remembrance.

Cynthia, I didn't know about a black poppy and I haven't ever seen one worn by anyone.

We Will Remember Them.

Good morning :-)


The 11th day of the 11th month - the day when we remember why we are wearing poppies. At 11.00am. many people will fall silent, many shops will come to a halt and many heads will be bowed in quiet remembrance and thanksgiving for those who have given their lives in warfare.

The poppy

I am not a badge of honour,
I am not a racist smear,
I am not a fashion statement,
To be worn but once a year,

I am not a glorification
Of conflict or of war.
I am not a paper ornament
A token,
I am more.

I am a loving memory,
Of a father or a son,
A permanent reminder
Of each and every one.

I'm paper or enamel
I’m old or shining new,
I’m a way of saying thank you,
To every one of you.

I am a simple poppy
A reminder to you all,
That courage faith and honour,
Will stand where heroes fall.
- Paul Hunter

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Remembrance: The Black Poppy

The Black Poppy has been around for just over a decade, being launched in September 2010 by Selena Carty. The aim is to commemorate people of all nations of African, Black, West Indian and Pacific Islander heritage who contributed to war efforts.

It explains it is a symbol that signifies pride, honour and glory, with the hope that future generations will be inspired by these largely untold historical legacies’.

Father, we thank you for those of different nationalities who served alongside each other during world conflict. We thank you for their commitment and bravery in the face of adversity. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Remembrance: Purple Poppies

The purple poppy was introduced by the charity Animal Aid in 2006 in remembrance of animals that lost their lives at war.

Throughout the history of human conflicts, animals have been victims of war. During World War I, dogs and pigeons were used to deliver messages between frontline trenches and further afield. It's estimated that 8 million horses and donkeys died in WWI.

Horses, donkeys and elephants have been used as beasts of burden – camels carried wounded soldiers across the deserts.

Lord, we remember with thanksgiving the animals who were involved in warfare. We thank you for their strength and courage as they obeyed the orders given to them and for their loyalty in serving their masters. Help us to love and care for all animals committed to our charge. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Yes, that's the one kandj! :-D

Remembrance: The white poppy

The white poppy has been worn in the run-up to Remembrance Day for almost ninety years, as a symbol of remembrance and peace.

Created in 1933 - just 12 years after the red version - many people wore white poppies to stress the "never again" message, which emerged after World War I. Like the red poppy, the white badge also symbolises remembrance for victims of war. It is said that the white poppy also represents a lasting commitment to peace and the belief that war should not be celebrated or glamorised.

Prayer of St Francis of Assisi

Lord, make me an instrument of your peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is error, the truth;
where there is doubt, the faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek
to be consoled, as to console;
to be understood, as to understand;
to be loved, as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive;
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned;
and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Amen.

Cx :-)

That brought back some happy memories for me kandj. When I was a very little girl I insisted on my mother singing me 3 short songs before I went to sleep and one of them was Jesus bids us shine though I only remember Mum singing the first verse. My mother, bless her, had the most tuneless singing voice you can imagine and I inherited it.

Hear the pennies dropping .... that's a new one to me. I don't remember ever hearing that

Hello all

Yes Cynthia, I do remember Hear the Pennies Dropping.... another golden oldie from way back.

Hear the pennies dropping,
Listen where they fall,
Everyone for Jesus
He will get them all.
Droppng, dropping, dropping, droppng,
Hear the pennies fall;
Everyone for Jesus
He will get them all.

So good to see GR has the poppy on display.

Lest We Forget.

Good morning :-)


Jesus bids us shine........goodness kandj, it's a long time since I heard that too. Do you remember 'Hear the pennies dropping' when the collection was taken?


Remembrance: Recently, we have been concentrating on knitting poppies to help to decorate our church and they have come in their hundreds which has been excellent.

The red poppy has traditionally been the symbol of death, renewal, and life. The seeds of the red poppy can lie dormant in the soil for years. The red poppies cover the ground with beautiful flowers when the soil is overturned.

The fields of Northern France and Flanders were churned up by boots, hooves, and machines during World War I. After all the bombing and fighting, red poppies appeared by the thousands, covering those fields of death.

The famous poem ‘In Flanders Fields’ by John McCraw, became a hit around the world and linked the red poppy to the memory of WWI. Eventually, the red poppy was adopted by the British and Canadian Legions as a symbol of remembrance.


Lord, the red petals remind us of danger and harm. We ask that you will be close to those who are still facing danger each day, to give courage to the armed forces, and compassion to all who help others. Amen.



Cx :-)

Hello all

Today's church service was Morning Praise and geared towards little ones, and the first hymn was Jesus Bids Us Shine...... wow..... I haven't sung this since Sunday school many, many years ago, and I loved it. I was a little child once again for a short while.

Good morning :-)


The Collect (special prayer) for today :

Almighty Father,
whose will is to restore all things
in your beloved Son, the King of all:
govern the hearts and minds of those in authority,
and bring the families of the nations,
divided and torn apart by the ravages of sin,
to be subject to his just and gentle rule;
who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, now and for ever. Amen


The Gospel is from Luke 20 27-38


Cx :-)

Good morning

My Kitchen Prayer

God bless my little kitchen,
I love its every nook,
And bless me as I do my work,
Wash pots and pans and cook.
And may the meals that I prepare
Be seasoned from above
With Thy great blessings and Thy grace,
But most of all Thy love.
As we partake of earthly food,
The table before us spread,
We’ll not forget to thank Thee, Lord,
Who gives us daily bread.
So bless my little kitchen, God,
And those who enter in,
May they find naught but Joy and Peace,
And Happiness therein.

Author: M. Peterson (1944)

Cx :-)