Fr David was invited to take part in the annual flag raising service to mark the beginning of Armed Forces Week, culminating in Armed Forces Day.  The service was brief, and limited in numbers, due to the current regulations, but it was important to mark this occasion outside the Town Hall, together with the Deputy Lieutenant, the Mayor, and representatives from the local council and the Royal British Legion.  For further information, and to find out how to show your support, click here.

Armed Forces Day, which this year falls on Saturday 26 June, is an opportunity for the nation to thank members of all the armed forces of our nation, regular members, reserve forces, and cadets, for the work they do to keep us safe.  This past year, this has, of course, included working to support the national effort to combat the Covid pandemic, in roles assisting with both administering PCR tests and assisting with the vaccine drive.

For this, and all the work they do on our behalf, it is important that they are not only thanked for their work, but that we keep them in our prayers.  Armed Forces Day gives us a particular opportunity to do that.  Let us keep them in our prayers on this day, and also at all times.

Heavenly Father,
we commend to your gracious care and keeping
all the men and women in our Armed Forces at home and abroad.
Defend them day by day with your heavenly grace;
strengthen them in their trials and temptations;
and give them courage to face the perils that beset them;
and help them to know that nothing can separate them from your love;
in Jesus Christ our Lord.
Amen.