I write this article on 1st November, All Saints Day when the church remembers what might be called the “heroes” of faith, although some had darker sides to their nature. Tomorrow we have All Souls Day, when the focus becomes broader and we recall all those who have died in faith. I can relate to these better than to most of the saints and the occasion is particularly poignant for me; on Monday one of the most faithful members of one of our congregations died. At a time when the attendance at the monthly church service was down to two people, his continuing presence gave us hope that the church still had a future. In more recent times, when he was struggling with his health, the highlight of my Friday mornings would be my weekly visit to him, with his copy of the Times for the crossword. Over a cup of tea, we would dissect the week’s football results; as a Liverpool supporter he was generous to myself as a Manchester Utd fan. I wonder who was ministering to whom in our conversations? Some are uneasy about praying for the dead and, intellectually, I do not really understand this. However, most of prayer is a mystery, at least to me. Over the next few days I will be giving thanks for the life of John and praying that he rests in peace and rises in glory.
Rev David Poyner