All Saints – 2 Nov 2025

Vicar’s message

This season of All Saints, All Souls or All Hallows is a time to remember those who have died.

At this time of year I always revisit the poem Spirits by Senegalese poet, Birago Diop, about the way that those who have died go on living in community and in the natural world around us. I’ll share an excerpt below. Some of you may recognize the words that have been adapted as Breaths by the Black women’s acapella ensemble Sweet Honey in the rock which you can listen to here.

Listen more to things
Than to words that are said.
The water’s voice sings
And the flame cries
And the wind that brings
The woods to sighs
Is the breathing of the dead.

This is season it is traditional to visit and tend to graveyards and cemeteries. If you are grieving at this time or you just want to remember and honour someone you love who has died, you might
spend some time in the memorial garden or cemetery. You might say this prayer from a Church of England Service for blessing a graveyard.

O God,
by whose mercy the faithful departed find rest,
bless this the resting place of _______.
May he/she/they have everlasting life
and rejoice in you with your saints for ever.
We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.

On Sunday we will have a special time of prayer for those who we are grieving. If you have missed the chance to send any names you would like to be read to the office, bring them with you on Sunday morning and give them to Revs. Eileen or Laurel. There will also be a time to speak additional names aloud or remember them in silence.

Rev. Laurel