Red, white, purple? All, any, none? That annual internal debating... and external attempts to engage graciously with others who are 'right' whilst I am 'wrong'... and, as always, wondering how I can approach this in a way that meets needs, challenges stereotypes and actually matters in some small way.

Looking back of twenty plus years of Remembrance services, in different contexts, I am quite impressed with the range of what has been explored - from 'just war theories' to 'the environmental impact of war', from 'homes for heroes' to 'war poetry', from 'sacrifice' to 'pacifism'.

This year I get to 'cheat' to revisit and adapt a service I led two years ago inspired by a visit to Coventry.  And to use just one of the many great hymns written for Remembrance Sunday that problematise, in a helpful way, the whole purpose of what we are doing.  As war goes in Gaza and the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine, as globally politics becomes ever more terrifying, as people attempt to flee in tiny boats or are buried alive, it is important to ask the hard questions...

If the war goes on, and the children die of hunger,

And the old men weep, for the young men are no more,

And the women learn how to dance without a partner,

Who will keep the score?

If the war goes on, and the truth is taken hostage,

And new horrors lead to the need to euphemise,

When the calls for peace are declared unpatriotic,

Who’ll expose the lies?

If the war goes on, and the daily bread is terror,

And the voiceless poor take the road as refugees,

When a nation’s pride destines many to be homeless,

Who will heed their pleas?

If the war goes on, and the rich increase their fortunes,

And the arms sales soar as new weapons are displayed,

And a fertile field turns to no-man’s-land tomorrow,

Who’ll approve such trade?

If the war goes on, will we close the doors to heaven?

If the war goes on, will we breach the gates of hell?

If the war goes on, will we ever be forgiven?

If the war goes on…?

John Bell and Graham Maule © Iona Community