FAITH leaders have gathered to light candles and remember all the victims of genocide ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day.Six hundred candles were lit during the event at York Minster’s Chapter House, forming the Star of David to remember the six million Jews murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions killed in subsequent genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.And we are asked to light a candle tonight at 8pm and stand by our candles in memory of those who have died in acts of genocide.<div id="subscription-content">The Minster event began with a Choral Evening service attended by representatives from York’s Jewish and other faith communities.The Reverend Canon Maggie McLean, York Minster’s Canon Missioner, said: “The international theme for the 2022 commemoration is ‘One Day’ which encourages people to come together to remember and learn about the Holocaust, Nazi persecution and the genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.”She added: “This is in the hope that in the future, there may be ‘One Day’ with no genocide. We learn more about the past, we empathise with others today, and we take action for a better future.”The event included a procession with readings, music, poetry, prayers and periods of silence for quiet reflection.The commemoration is part of a week-long programme of events taking place across the city of York to mark international Holocaust Memorial Day, which takes place on January 27 each year.The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, the largest Nazi death camp, in 1945.</div>
Happy feast of the Conversion of Paul! Based on Caravaggio’s artistic portrayal of this remarkable encounter with Jesus, I may bear some physical resemblance to the one after whom I was named: ‘a man of small stature, with a bald head and crooked legs’. Sadly, in terms of character, I fear that I possess more of Paul’s weaknesses than his strengths. But what a great role model for an archdeacon: travelling from place to place, encouraging the people of God, and walking alongside them in their trials. Paul doesn’t mention a pandemic, but it’s a pretty impressive list of challenges that he faces: near death, violence, persecution, imprisonment, shipwreck, starvation, weather, wayward churches (2 Cor 11). This year, as we reflect upon Paul’s life and conversion, I give particular thanks for his endurance, perseverance and witness to the God whose grace is sufficient for us and whose power is made perfect in weakness (2 Cor 12:9). As we face the trials of our own day, let us pray for that same power in our lives and for the faith, hope and love which it generates.
The Bishop of London, Sarah Mullally, has thanked front line workers, parishes, and all who have made sacrifices to help protect one another from Covid-19, as England prepares to move away from ‘plan B’ restrictions on Thursday.<div>Bishop Sarah, who chairs the Church of England’s Covid Recovery Group, was speaking as new advice was published by the Church of England ahead of Thursday’s change of national rules.She said: “When the first measures to curb the spread of Covid-19 were introduced in March 2020, few would have imagined that we would still be making adaptations to the way we live our lives – including our worship – almost two years on.“It has been a very challenging time.“People have made huge sacrifices to protect one another – not only those they know and love but strangers they might never meet. We’ve learnt again as society something of what it means to love our neighbour, as Jesus taught.“And it has certainly not been without cost.“The loneliness and isolation many have experienced; the impact on people’s mental health; the lost jobs and failed businesses and strained relationships must not be overlooked. “Yet, terrible as the toll from this virus has been, and continues to be, the actions people have taken have saved lives and prevented countless infections, with all the potential long-term consequences that could go with them.“We may never know what good has been done.“So as we can begin to look forward with cautious hope, we once again thank those who have done so much to protect us all - particularly our NHS, carers and other front line workers.“I want to thank everyone who has made sacrifices for others. I think particularly of younger people who, though often least at risk, have sometimes given up the most.“And I want especially to thank our clergy, parish volunteers and congregations for all you are doing - not simply to keep worship going, but to innovate with bold and remarkable new ways of doing so; reaching new people and, of course, serving your communities.“As ‘plan B’ restrictions come to an end the future remains uncertain and we must continue to be cautious. In our churches government rules have been eased but I would still encourage congregations to consider what mitigation can best protect others.“As we look now towards spring and the vivid demonstration of new life it offers us, my prayer is that we won’t forget what we’ve learnt; that we take this opportunity to thank others and that we look with hope to the future.”
