Poppies are springing up in the sunshine of the churchyard of St Peter and St. Paul’s Church, in Aylesford ahead of Remembrance Sunday this weekend.
The church, which sits within the Diocese of Rochester which covers Church of England churches across the areas of Medway, north and west Kent and the London Boroughs of Bromley and Bexley, is one of many adapting their Remembrance plans in line with new restrictions on public worship.
“While we can't worship in church, we can stay open for private prayer and reflection. The church will remain open 10am-3pm every day for at least the next 2 weeks and we can still 'Remember,' explains the Revd Ruth Peet, vicar of St Peter and St Paul's Church.
“We’re inviting those that visit to help themselves to a poppy - all laying separately on a table and safe to pick up - and plant it in the poppy field in the churchyard.”
New government guidance states that while it possible for a faith leader to organise an outdoor Remembrance service, these should be:
- based around a public war memorial or cenotaph,
- they should be short and focused on wreath laying, and
- they should only be undertaken if they can be staged in a safe and legal way, which includes undertaking a risk assessment.
It means that many churches are finding alternative ways to engage with this national time of commemoration.
At St Peter’s Church, Ightham, they are hoping to get the community involved in a craft-based act of Remembrance. People are invited to paint a poppy on a stone and place it at their convenience on the local war memorial.
People are reminded to take care to maintain social distancing when placing their poppy stone.
A Remembrance and Memorial Trail has been created at St Lawrence, Bidborough, to highlight the 12 local men who gave their lives in the world wars.
Visitors can explore the outside space at any time, while the church building itself will be open for private prayer for an hour each morning from 11am.
Many churches are also taking their services online.
At St Mary's Bromley, a vibrant display of 100 card poppies outside the church will be complemented by a live streamed 10.30am service on Remembrance Sunday, with two minutes silence.
Rochester Cathedral is also inviting everyone to join them for a virtual Act of Remembrance.
Recorded live at Rochester Cathedral, the service includes contributions from the Bishop of Rochester the Rt Rev James Langstaff, the Dean of Rochester the Very Reverend Dr Philip Hesketh, and music from the Cathedral organists and lay clerks.
The 20 minute service will be available on Remembrance Sunday both on the Cathedral’s Facebook page and on their website at www.rochestercathedral.org/worship-online.
It will also be broadcast again on Armistice Day itself, on Wednesday 11 November at 11am.
Anyone interested in exploring what their local church might be offering around Remembrance and throughout lockdown should visit: AChurchNearYou.com
For more details, please contact: Jennifer Ross, Communications Manager for the Diocese of Rochester and Bishops’ Media Adviser on jennifer.ross@rochester.anglican.org or 07526 171 583