From the Rectory November 2025

Rev Canon Simon Ward
Team Rector, Great Yarmouth Team Ministry, and Rural Dean

We can sometimes be rather limited in our perception of the church and think only of the church (building or people) that we know but in November we are encouraged to think a bit wider. November begins with All Saints Day on November 1st and All Souls’ Day on November 2nd, and these observances draw us into deep reflection on what it truly means to belong to the Body of Christ, not just here and now, but across time and eternity. As Christians we are “surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses” so it is good to remember it’s never just about us!
 
In Anglican tradition, we affirm in the Creed our belief in “the Communion of Saints.” This reminds us the Church is not merely a collection of congregations scattered across the earth, but a living fellowship of all God’s people; past, present, and future. The saints are not distant figures frozen in stained glass or history books; they are our companions in the faith, cheering us on as we run the race set before us (Hebrews 12:1)
 
C.S. Lewis once observed that when we say the Church is “one,” we mean something far greater than we often imagine: We speak of a unity that bridges centuries and even death itself. Those who have gone before us are not lost to us; they are gathered into the nearer presence of God, and in Christ, we remain connected to them through prayer, worship, and hope. In worship we are never alone
 
November also brings Remembrance Sunday, when we honour those who gave their lives in war and pray for peace in our own time. Their sacrifice, too, reminds us of the shared longing for a world redeemed, and the promise that even in loss, love shines through
 
As the year begins to fade and the days grow shorter, we might feel the shadows of grief or nostalgia. This season calls us to look beyond the immediacy and remember that the light of Christ shines undimmed. Death does not sever the bonds of love because we are one family, held together by the grace of God. Friends on earth and those who now rejoice at God’s heavenly banquet
 
May the remembering times of November bring us comfort, hope, and a renewed sense of belonging in the great communion of God’s people. It’s never just about us

Father Simon

this article  courtesy of Parish Life

The views carried here are those of the author, not of Network Yarmouth, and are intended to stimulate constructive and good-natured debate between website users

Click here to read our forum and comment posting guidelines