The Reflectionary

With this November marking 100 years since the guns fell silent on ‘The War to End All Wars’, I have compiled a list of resources for you to use in churches, schools, and for acts of remembrance.

Reflectionary Resources

A Meditation for Remembrance Day A water-colour poppy that is bleached white as snow.

Make a Poppy Cross as an Act of Remembrance – How to make a wire cross to cover with flowers

Music

Hymns of Peace & Remembrance – A collection of 10 new hymns (many to traditional tunes), including the winner of the Hymns of Peace competition, ‘Hope for the World’s Despair’ by Ally Barrett. Animated video with vocals by Jonathan Viera. Click the link for the video, words at end of post.

Videos for two-minute silence

From CBeebies – beautiful animation, not just for small children 2min 26s 

Images of London with Bible verses. 5min 10s 

From the BBC – 11/11/11 London, Big Ben 2min 26s 

Poppy crosses with guitar hymn music (could be muted for 2 mins) 5min 9s 

Other Videos

The Poppy Story (Scottish) 

What Soldiers Think About On Remembrance Day – very powerful video from Forces TV

Books

WWI style Gospel of John – free, in packs of 10 to give away

Silence – A beautifully-illustrated booklet – bulk packs or individual copies to give away

‘Hear My Cry’ from the Bible Society is currently on offer, and particularly useful. Also free resources for services, lesson plans and thought-provoking stories. 

What Price Peace? – Resources book from The Bible Reading Fellowship

Hymns of Peace & Remembrance – The book of hymns is available to purchase in print or PDF instant download.

Church resources (see also schools)

Remembrance 100 – lots of resources for 100 days upto the 100^th anniversary, including downloadable PowerPoint presentations, prayers and readings

Church of England Liturgies – Worship resources from the 100th anniversary of World War I, including prayers and a Eucharist of Remembrance.

The Labarum Collection – Ready-to-print church services for use in parish and chaplaincy, including a range of outdoor services.

A Service for Peace in a Time of War – featuring a responsive litany.

Liturgy for Peace – Ideas for a reflective service and suggested texts.

From the Baptist Peace Fellowship – including prayers, reading, resources for children, and An Act of Remembrance and Reconciliation (PDF)

Schools / Children’s Work Resources

BBC Schools Armistice Resources – Resources for primary and secondary pupils including Michael Morpurgo’s ‘Private Peaceful’ and ‘War Horse’.

More BBC World War I resources

From the Royal British Legion – Downloadable assemblies and lesson plans plus posters in English and Cwmraeg and 4-min video introducing remembrance.

From the Imperial War Museum– images, Power Points and suggested activities

Crafts and Activities

Activity Village – crafts for young children (some members only)

Messy Remembrance – Creative engagement with linked Bible verses and song. (PDF)

Poppy Crafts – including a delightful handprint poppy wreath

Hymn (from Jubilate’s book, above)

Words © Ally Barrett / Jubilate, administered Jubilate Hymns Ltd

To reproduce these words please use a CCLI licence or contact copyrightmanager@jubilatehymns.co.uk

Words

1 Hope for the world’s despair:
we feel the nations’ pain;
can anything repair
this broken earth again?
For this we pray:
in every place
a spark of grace
to light the way.

2 Wisdom for all who bear
the future in their hand,
entrusted with the care
of this and every land.
When comes the hour,
O Lord, we pray,
inspire the way
we spend our power.

3 Honour for all who’ve paid
war’s painful, bitter price,
when duty called they made
the greatest sacrifice.
Their memory
will never cease
to cry for peace
and harmony.

4 Ease for the troubled mind
in endless conflict caught,
each soul that cannot find
the peace beyond all thought.
May they be blessed
with healing balm
for inner calm
and perfect rest.

5 Love for the human heart:
when hate grows from our fears
and inwardly we start
to turn our ploughs to spears.
Help us to sow
love’s precious seed
in word and deed,
that peace may grow.

Credits

Words: Ally Barrett © Ally Barrett / Jubilate, administered by Jubilate Hymns Ltd, copyrightmanager@jubilatehymns.co.uk

Music: John Ireland © The John Ireland Charitable Trust
Produced by Mark Edwards
Sung by Jonathan Veira
Featuring the All Souls Orchestra conducted by Noël Tredinnick

Jubilate is a working name of the Song & Hymn Writers Foundation CIO, a charity registered in England and Wales

© 2018 Jubilate. All rights reserved.