CANDLES AT SPECIAL SERVICE FOR PEACE WILL MARK LIVES LOST IN AFGHANISTAN
A candle will be lit in a tiny Herefordshire church for each British service person killed in Afghanistan. The candles will be part of a special service for peace at St. Peter’s, Pipe cum Lyde in August, the month that the Second World War ended, and everyone taking part will also be invited to light a candle of their own.
The service will take place on Sunday August 15th, commemorating the Japanese surrender on August 14th 1945 after the dropping of an atomic bomb on Hiroshima on August 5th and a second on Nagasaki four days later. The Vicar and former SAS Chaplain, Jimmy Morrison, said it would be a service of prayers for world peace, of support for those still putting their lives in jeopardy for our protection, and of remembrance of those who had paid with their lives or continued to pay with terrible physical or mental suffering.
“Throughout the service a candle will burn for each young British life which has been lost in Afghanistan and everyone will be given the opportunity of lighting another personal candle,” he said. “It might be for someone they’ve known, or heard of or for everyone who has been affected, or perhaps as a sign of hope for those who still face the terrible dangers of armed conflict,” Jimmy added.
Lyde’s parishioners are hoping people from all over the county will join them to mark the fact that 65 years after the end of World War Two, lives are still being sacrificed in war. “This is one of the most important issues in our world today and we want to welcome lots of people who are prepared to give up an hour of their time and to be a valuable part of what we are trying to do,” Jimmy said.
The Service for World Peace, for Those Who Serve, and Those Who Have Suffered and Died takes place at 6.30 pm on Sunday 15th August, in the Church of St Peter, Lyde. A week later parishioners from St Peter’s will host a coffee morning on Saturday August 21st to raise funds of Help for Heroes. It will include a display of regimental cap badges as well as other stalls and attractions.
Notes to Editors:
Further information is available from the secretary of the Parochial Church Council, Bob Calver, on 01432 360009 or 07710 195711
The service is open to everyone in Herefordshire and beyond
The number of British service personnel killed in Afghanistan currently stands at 327. The number of candles burning throughout the service on August 15th will be the number of personnel killed up to that date.
The Church of St. Peter stands beside the main A49, north of Hereford. It is built on the probable site of a Bronze Age Burial Ground.