General Chat

Good morning - just :-)


A very busy morning with lots of folk turning up at the local cenotaph. In the evening we lit a beacon and rang the muffled church bells. A lovely weekend of remembrance.


We continue to pray for all those affected by the dreadful fires in California.....just awful.

So, another Remembrance Day is over......but is it? Do we simply forget about those who suffered because the day has passed? Do we forget about our own loved ones after their funeral? No, of course we don't. I thought that this week, we could look at how soldiers were affected after WW1 had ended.

Many, many suffered from Shell Shock both during and after the war.
At the start of the war, shell shock was believed to be caused by a physical injury to the nerves such as: Being buried alive or being exposed to heavy bombardment.
Patients were treated with massages, rest, special diets and electric shock. These treatments were not very speedy or helpful as they were viewing it in the wrong way.

Men with shell shock were made to feel ashamed that they could not handle the war the way a 'man' would.

Gradually, treatment changed to a ‘talking cure’, which included hypnosis and resting, which was a much quicker recovery. Between 1914 and 1918, 80,000 soldiers of the British Army were suffering from Shell Shock.

We pray for those in today's armed forces who suffer as a result of what they have endured - that they may receive care, compassion and love. Amen.


Cx

Good morning :-)


Looking back at how those injured in WW1 were cared for, it was interesting to see an article in the news today, about how treatment is improving for military personnel! It was a very different story one hundred years ago.

After WW1, many soldiers were left with serious physical injuries. One of the most common was damage to a limb which then had to be removed. What was the original treatment for this in WW1? The treatment was usually amputation surgery and the application of an artificial limb.

Soldiers who lost a limb were all entitled to receive an artificial limb. These were mostly made of wood and only really provided support.

41,000 out of seven million British soldiers endured an amputation in the First World War and survived the process.

Lord, we think of those who are suffering this sort of injury in today’s world and give thanks for the specialised treatment which is now available to them. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


It is a fact that thousands of soldiers faced terrible poverty after fighting in World War One. They had been promised 'a land fit for heroes' - instead, they were confronted with years of strikes, high unemployment and hunger marches in the years between the First and Second World Wars.

After the war, soldiers struggled as veterans looking for employment which was not there. A lot of men didn't want handouts, they wanted to work for a living, they wanted a proper job.

Sadly, today, we still have men and women, who have returned from conflicts, who experience problems with employment, resettlement, with housing.

Lord, we ask that these brave people, when they return from any conflict in our name, may be treated with compassion, care and respect. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Life after Armistice Day. War Widows.

For the women whose husbands were killed in WW1, life was difficult because, it was not just an emotional time, but a financial trauma too as they became the main breadwinners.

They were granted the first State-funded non-contributory pension and received a dependents' allowance for children under 16. They were also supported by charities such as The Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Families Association and The British Legion.

Not all women were granted the pension. A woman who married an ex-soldier after he had been discharged from the army would not get a pension if he later died from war wounds.

Some women had their pensions withdrawn by the Local Pensions Office if they were judged to be behaving in the wrong way, for instance if they were accused of drunkenness, neglecting their children, living out of wedlock with another man or had an illegitimate child.

Lord, as Christians we are charged with taking care of widows and orphans – may those who have been widowed through warfare be treated with dignity and respect. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Judging from the noise outside, the bins are being emptied. Thank God for those who do this very necessary job!

After the Armistice - A Generation of 'Surplus Women'

During the First World War, a large proportion of young men were killed or disabled, and this led to the idea of a ‘Lost Generation’ of men. Alongside them were what the newspapers called the ‘Surplus Two Million’ women – the women these men would have married.

In 1921 the Census of England and Wales had revealed that there were 1.72 million more women than men. This caused a change in society

The war had accelerated the pace of social change and life would be very different for young women in the 1920s from the early 1900s. While Edwardian girls had had little independence, after the war 1920s ‘Flapper’ girls with their characteristic short hair, went out alone, danced and embarked on careers.

Lord, we remember before you those whose lives have been broken by warfare. For the women whose menfolk have never returned home. We pray that for those in today’s society, that they may be given comfort and support. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


After the Armistice. The effect on children.

WW1 altered the world for everyone who experienced it, but arguably its biggest impact came on children. Over 500,000 children lost their father in battle.

There were fears about a breakdown in society and concern about the loss of so many fathers. It was thought that the lack of father figures was responsible for the rise in juvenile delinquency. A generation from broken families, with incomplete educations, tried to grieve as they had the additional responsibility of becoming the bread-winners thrust upon them.

The only comparable disasters in modern times are 9/11 and the tsunami in 2004. It has been shown that counselling has enable the children caught up in these has enable them to address their grief and go on to develop as well as could have been expected under the circumstances.

Lord, we think of the children of today who live in war torn countries. We thank you for the agencies who struggle to reach and save them. We pray for peace to return to this beautiful world you created for us. Amen.


Cx :-)

Thank you Cynthia for this week's interesting and sad posts. There is much more care for our servicemen and their families now but there is still not enough help available and too many people slip through the net. In my own distant family we had a veteran of the Falklands war who appeared to be OK but who, after many difficulties, sadly took his own life. He needed more help than was available to him.

We must remember too that every man and woman caught up in conflict is someone's child, grandchild, sibling or friend, whatever their nationality and we must keep striving for a peacefuil world.

As the song says "Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with me".

Thank you Cynthia, I still look in everyday to
read your posts.
I don't add to them but I do enjoy and appreciate
all you do on this thread.

xx

Good morning :-)

Oh my goodness! How lovely to hear from both Vera and Emma......I was delighted to see your names and thank you for your kind words. <3


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 reading for today is taken from Mark and tells of the destruction of the temple and Jesus talking about the coming of the end times.

Love to all Cx :-)

Good afternoon :-)


Eventually got on here after all the hoo ha about the security issue mentioned on JC's thread. What a pain it has been.


In busy days of noise and action
- and especially when my journey seems long
and my energy is spent -
lead me to be still, Lord,
and discover anew
that you are with me. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Dear Lord, thank you for your protection during the night and for the chance to see a new day. Please grant me your wisdom and understanding as I seek your will in my life. Thank you in advance for all you will do. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Dear Lord, thank you for this new day. I commit this day to you and all that is in it. Help me to remember that there is nothing I will face, that you and can’t handle together. Please fill me with your peace, love and joy. May I glorify you in all that I think, say and do today. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)



May Thursday be a hope filled day,
That floods my fears with light,
A day that quiets all anxious thoughts
As I encounter Christ.
Let Thursday always prompt my heart
To stop and find Your peace,
And live upon the truth You give
My eyes to You I lift. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)

Lord on this day I am aware of the troubles and darkness in our world.

Please come and lead me in prayers for my com-munity, my nation and the world. You are the light that shines in the bleakest times, let your Kingdom be built on earth.

May those who suffer be comforted, may those who are at war search for peace, and may those who are in pain find healing. Amen.

Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


Sorry I missed yesterday - it was a bit busy as it was our church Christmas Fair. Our son came over to sit with his dad whilst I sailed off to make speciality coffees.... :-D

A very busy and very good day - crowds of people and a total of £1800 raised. We are hoping to buy a defibrillator for church because of the large crowds which pass through.

Today is the Feast of Christ the King


The Collect (special prayer) for today:

God the Father, help us to hear the call of Christ the King and to follow in his service, whose Kingdom has no end; for he reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God one glory. Amen.

The gospel reading is from John and is where Pilate asks Jesus ‘Are you the King of the Jews?’


Love to all Cx :-)

That was a good total raised for your church Cynthia. Well done to you and all the other helpers who made the Christmas Fair a success. I hope you get your defibrillator.

Thank you for this week’s posts.

Yesterday we heard that yet another of our family, a brother-in-law, has had a diagnosis of cancer and is shortly to undergo a major operation. I have been amazed at the strength and resilience of those in our family who are coping with this horrid illness and it made me think of those who don’t have a loving family and friends to support them. God grant them the strength they need.

Kandj is still in my thoughts <3

Good morning :-)

Yes, we are very pleased with the amount Vera - people work so hard to support these events.

Very sorry to hear of yet another diagnosis of cancer in your family - they are brave indeed. Lovely to hear from you.


Celtic prayers and blessing remain as popular as ever…………today, a prayer for our homes…

Bless this house and those within.
Bless our giving and receiving.
Bless our words and conversation.
Bless our hands and recreation.
Bless our sowing and our growing.
Bless our coming and our going.
Bless all who enter and depart.
Bless this house, your peace impart. Amen.


Cx :-)

Good morning :-)


In this world where so many are homeless, we are blessed if we have a home, be it a modest flat or a mighty mansion. Another Celtic blessing on our homes…..

God bless the corners of this house and all the lintels blessed,
And bless the hearth and bless the board and bless each place of rest,
And bless each door that opens wide to strangers as to kin,
And bless each crystal window pane that lets the starlight in,
And bless the rooftree overhead and every sturdy wall.
The peace of man. The peace of God. With peace and love for all. Amen.

Good morning :-)


A lovely Celtic blessing....

If there is righteousness in the heart,
there will be beauty in the character.
If there is beauty in the character,
there will be harmony in the home.
If there is harmony in the home,
there will be order in the nation.
If there is order in the nation,
there will be peace in the world.
So let it be.
(Scottish Blessing)


Cx :-)

Lovely to read all these blessings, thank you Cynthia.x