Service: Remembering

Prayer Space
Prepare with chairs in a circle, a prayer focus, a large lighted candle, smaller candles for the students, cards for students to write names on, music playing as the students gather. (Suggestion: O Lord Hear My Prayer –Taize)

Introduction
A short few words setting the context for the service - remembering those who have gone before us. Think about family, friends and those who have no one to pray for them. Students are invited to write names on their cards.

Reading
Luke: 7:11-17

Soon afterward, Jesus went to a town called Nain, and his disciples and a large crowd went along with him. As he approached the town gate, a dead person was being carried out - the only son of his mother, and she was a widow. And a large crowd from the town was with her.
When the Lord saw her, his heart went out to her and he said: “Don’t cry.” Then he went up and touched the coffin, and those carrying it stood still. He said: “Young man, I say to you, get up!” The dead man sat up and began to talk, and Jesus gave him back to his mother.
They were all filled with awe and praised God. “A great prophet has appeared among us,” they said. “God has come to help his people.” This news about Jesus spread throughout Judea and the surrounding country.
This Is The Gospel Of The Lord.

Candle Lighting
Students in turn are invited to call out one or more names from their card and to light a small candle from the central candle and place it on their card in the centre of the floor. When everyone is finished, a period of silence follows – perhaps with music playing in the background
(‘O Lord Hear My Prayer’ from Taizé or ‘Shepherd Me, O Lord’)

Personal Reflection
You may wish to invite each person to reflect on the good qualities of those they are remembering – which of these qualities would they like to practise more in their lives – how will they make the most of the life they now have…end the session with the Our Father (said together).

Togetherness
Death is nothing at all –
I have only slipped away into the next room.
Whatever we were to each other, that we are still.

Call me by my old familiar name,
Speak to me in the easy way which you always used.
Laugh as you always laughed at the little jokes we enjoyed together.

Play, smile, think of me, pray for me.
Let my name be the household word that it always was.
Let it be spoken without effort.

Life means all that it ever meant.
It is the same as it ever was; there is absolute unbroken continuity.
Why should I be out of your mind because I am out of your sight?
I am but waiting for you, for an interval -
somewhere very near, just around the corner.

All is well.
Nothing is past; nothing is lost.
One brief moment, and all will be as it was before –
only better, infinitely happier and for ever.
We will be one together with Christ

Final Prayer
Loving God, we thank you for the opportunity to come together with you to remember those of our families and friends that have gone before us. We trust in your love for all people and pray that each of those we have remembered will always be in your loving presence and that we may know and share your love at all times during our lives. This prayer we make through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Death and loss – issues that need addressing with every age group. They have to be integrated with our faith life. November is the traditional month, for remembering those who have gone before us. This service, which takes a class period is best carried out in groups of 12 -15 and if at all possible, in the school oratory.