January 2021

A big thank you goes to Mandy Bond from Warkworth and Amble RBL for providing January's Website header Picture of the Amble Pier

Unfortunately at the moment most of our news is around the COVID-19 pandemic as such we have set up a dedicated page to keep members informed please also visit our dedicated page for remembrance 2020.  However we are currently posting a weekly spiritual Message from Northumbria's County Chaplain the Rev. George Callander.

22nd January 2021

Tyne and Wear Fire and Rescue Service -Smoke alarms

This coming week sees the 25th of January, a day of two commemorations. Firstly it is what is known to many Christian churches as the Feast of the Conversion of St Paul the Apostle, the day on which is commemorated the event on the road to Damascus when, Saul, a Pharisee and big-time persecutor of Christians, was struck by a brilliant white light and encountered the resurrected Jesus. He was struck blind and only had his sight restored a few days later and was baptised, becoming a fervent Christian disciple playing a major part in the foundation of the Christian tradition.

The second commemoration on the 25th January is very different but important in its own way, because it is the day when countless people at home and abroad remember the birthday in 1759 of Scotland’s national poet, Robert (Rabbie) Burns. Although Rabbie wrote much of his material in the Scots tongue, he also wrote in English and to this day has a great following around the world. Probably his most famous work nowadays is ‘Auld Land Syne’, happily belted-out by New Year’s Eve revellers (but not this year of course). He is also known for ‘My love is like a red red rose’, ‘Tam O’Shanter’ and of course the ‘Address to a Haggis’, recited at Burns Suppers around the world on ‘Burns Nicht’, January 25th. One of his most beautiful and simple pieces is his Selkirk Grace, which I have used many times at functions great and small (always in Scots) over the years:

Scots
Some hae meat and canna eat,
And some wad eat that want it,
But we hae meat and we can eat,
Sae let the Lord be thankit.

(English
Some have meat and cannot eat,
And some would eat that want it,
But we have meat and we can eat,
So let God be thanked.)

However, Rabbie Burns - despite his many flaws and failings (and he knew he had them) - was a spiritual man, unafraid to question and challenge conventional religious teachings of the day. My personal favourite Robert Burns verse I lightly paraphrase here. Hopeful Rabbie would not object:

God knows we’re no’ the fowk that we should be,
Nor are we even the fowk we could be…

Translation not necessary. And so, linking back to Paul’s experience on the road to Damascus, our own somewhat less spectacular ‘Damascene conversion (religious or otherwise)’ might just be round the corner, helping us on the way to being the fowk we could be…!
Keep well and keep safe
With every blessing

Rev. George Callander FIW FRSA

15th January 2021

Weekly Spiritual Message 

As I write I am looking out at the stunning winter landscape of an avenue of tall pine trees, their branches groaning under the weight of snow. The ground is also generously covered with a carpet of snow, the whiteness of which is reflecting the early morning light. The silvery sky continues to drop large, plump snowflakes. I am sitting in a cemetery at eight-thirty am and It is all very beautiful. Still, tranquil and like so many photographs of a perfect snowy landscape. However, read on!

I awoke at five am, opened the curtains and saw the snowscape lurking outside. The street, our garden, the car and the surrounding fields - even in the dark - had that unique marshmallow outline and ethereal glow only seen when it snows. As I have mentioned before, I am very lucky to live on the edge of the countryside in a former mining village, which I love very much. However, we are halfway down a steep hill which makes it difficult (sometimes impossible) in winter to reach the main road. This morning was a real struggle. Even in the lowest gear my trusty little car slithered its way towards the main road and It took me an hour to travel two miles, but eventually I travelled the eighteen miles to Darlington. It was a real challenge and at times quite hairy as I felt the car slipping from my control. However, all was well and I was glad to be able to conduct Noel’s funeral service on time and as planned.

I reflected that sometimes, like me in the glorious snowscape of the cemetery first thing this morning, we find ourselves at a place of complete peace, stillness and connection with all that is greater than ourselves; in a moment of union with the divine spirit that helps us forget for awhile about all the stresses and strains and difficulties of life: It can make it all worthwhile. As I sat, watching the snow fall, marvelling at God’s glory in the majesty of the seasons I remembered the beautiful words:

“In the bleak mid-winter
Frosty wind made moan,
Earth stood hard as iron,
Water like a stone;
Snow had fallen, snow on snow,
Snow on snow,
In the bleak mid-winter,
Long ago.”

and reflected in the words of the ‘wise philosopher’ of Ecclesiastes: “there is nothing new under the sun” - the seasons turn and the world experiences times of challenge; but the winter will pass and the sun will shine again, both literally and metaphorically. For all of us.

Keep well and keep safe
With every blessing

Rev. George Callander FIW FRSA

8th January 2021

Holocaust Memorial Day - Wednesday 27th January 2021

Wednesday 27th January 2021 - 1-2pm -Keynote speaker, Smajo Beso,

Smajo will talk about his childhood in Bosnia prior to the Bosnian war. Smajo will reflect on the difficulties of growing up during a war, losing family members, and being shelled and shot at daily. He’ll also share his experience of surviving on very little food and water, often going days without anything to eat, and living in ruins and rubble, before fortunately escaping and coming to live in the North East of England.

Poetry by local school pupils and faith groups will also be read, and there will be an exhibition of photos and artwork submitted around this year’s theme, ‘Be the light in the darkness’.

To download more information on how to attend the Virtual event please click here 

Weekly Spiritual Message  - A Happy New Year to One and All!

Here we are in the first week of January, the week in which on the Sixth (known as Epiphany) we commemorate the visit of the three Magi to the infant Jesus in the manger. The Sixth of January also marks ‘Twelfth Night’ - the end of Christmas and time to pack away the festive trimmings for another year. I know many people have packed away the trimmings early this year, given the unusual circumstances in which we continue to find ourselves.
January is a month for reflecting in both directions: back on the year ended and forward with hope and anticipation to the year just begun. Indeed, the month is named in honour of the ancient god, Janus - the god of doors and gateways - because we stand on the threshold of a new year. Depictions show him facing in both directions: simultaneously looking forwards and backwards.

In our modern world when spiritual matters are all too often sidelined there can be an emphasis placed instead on simply "living for today" rather than reflecting ‘Janus-like' in both directions. Sometimes folk run-up unaffordable debts to catch hold of the commercial juggernaut of Christmas. "Well, we'll worry about the bills when they come in in January..!” Clearly leaving behind their Janus heads and not thinking about tomorrow when living today.

Cumbrian poet, David Harkins wrote:
You can turn your back on tomorrow and live yesterday
Or you can be happy for tomorrow because of yesterday

Which of course is very true

We can turn one of our Janus faces towards the retreating 2020 and remain resolutely set firm in our ways; or we can turn our other Janus face into the emerging 2021, the more prepared to make a leap of faith; a leap of hope. This is what the shepherds in the Christmas story did when they followed the words of the Angel. It's what the Magi did as they made their way, bearing symbolic gifts, to the promised new king - the Christ Child: a promised light and truth.

Minnie Haskins in her famous poem "God Knows" tells us:
And I said to the man who stood at the gate of the year: “Give me a light that I may tread safely into the unknown.” And he replied:“Go out into the darkness and put your hand into the Hand of God. That shall be to you better than light and safer than a known way.”So I went forth, and finding the Hand of God, trod gladly into the night. And He led me towards the hills and the breaking of day in the lone East.

We welcomed into our hearts at Christmas "That Great Light", the light advent prepared us to welcome. Now, as we start this new year with all its uncertainty and change, but promise of real hope for recovery and normality again, let us walk onwards, ever onwards guided by the light of God: the light of reason and the light of fellowship which can never be extinguished.

And be of Good cheer! Be merry and glad this good new Year!

Keep well and keep safe
With every blessing

Rev. George Callander FIW FRSA

6th January 

MESSAGE SENT ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL CHAIRMAN 

 Good morning,

As you will now be aware we most of us have entered another national lockdown as a result of the significant increase in Covid cases across the country.  We have received a number of enquiries as to what this means for Standard Bearers attending funerals.

Whilst we understand that many people will want to continue providing this support we also have to think of the safety and the wellbeing of people acting in the name of the Legion and that of the general public.  We know that  the new strain of the virus is much more contagious and therefore more people are at risk of infection.  Therefore, on guidance from the Ceremonial Working Group and the Membership Council, we have taken the decision that whilst we are in lockdown Standard Bearers and members should not attend any funeral in a Legion capacity until advised otherwise.

We appreciate that this will be a disappointment to a great many of you, but your safety and that of others has to be our primary concern.  As such we continue to ask members to always follow their local and national authority guidelines, whilst strictly adhering to the Government advice on social distancing. 

Please stay safe in these difficult times.