{"id":2769,"date":"2018-11-12T14:34:34","date_gmt":"2018-11-12T03:34:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2769"},"modified":"2018-11-12T14:34:34","modified_gmt":"2018-11-12T03:34:34","slug":"giving-all-armistice-11-11-2018","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/?p=2769","title":{"rendered":"Giving All – Armistice 11-11-2018"},"content":{"rendered":"

Giving All ~ Armistice<\/i>.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Psalm 127;\u00a0 <\/span>Mark 12: 38 – 44<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

At the 11th<\/sup> hour on the 11th<\/sup> of the 11th<\/sup> month in 1918 the armistice agreement to end the fight was signed in the railway carriage of the Commander of the Allied forces in the forest of Compi\u00e8gne. The death toll was enormous. It is estimated that there were some 15-19 million military and civilian deaths and about 23 million wounded. 62 thousand Australian armed personnel died. It was supposed to be the war that would end all wars, but it didn\u2019t.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Armistice or Remembrance Day is symbolised by the red poppy. And the reasons for this lie in a mixture of biology and personal history. In May 1915 Lt. Alexis Helmer, a Canadian Artillery officer was killed. His friend, Major Dr John McCrae, was asked to conduct his funeral as the chaplain was engaged elsewhere. We are not sure how soon after the funeral, but some say that evening, John McCrae sat down and penned a poem as he reflected on the day\u2019s events and the loss of his friend. What inspired McCrae was a phenomenon that had emerged during the war. The common red corn poppy is found in Europe, North America, Asia and is a native of the Mediterranean region. The seed only germinates when is exposed to light. So the seed can lie dormant in the earth for many, many years. As the trenches, ordinance and traffic churned up the fields of Flanders the seeds came to light. What they experienced was that the poppies germinated and dotted the graves and battleground with red flowers. It was thought that the blood of soldiers fallen into the soil had redden the flowers, but it was the biological nature of the plant. It is thought that the sight of poppies and the death of his friend, whom he had buried, inspired him to right the poem, In Flanders Fields<\/i>.<\/i> The poem begins with these words;\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow
\nBetween the crosses, row on row,
\n<\/i>and ends with\u00a0<\/span><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

If ye break faith with us who die
\nWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow
\nIn Flanders’ Fields.<\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

After the war the poppies and poem were remembered. A French woman, Anna Guerin, brought the poppies made from silk and sold them in Britain to raise funds. A US academic, Moira Michael, bought one and having read McCrae\u2019s In Flanders Fields<\/i>, vowed to wear one in remembrance of the war. In 1919 at an international gathering of YMCA secretaries Moira raised the importance of the poem and the poppies. Out of that discussion arose movement to sell the poppies both as a fundraiser for returned wounded soldiers and as a remembrance of the dead. Within a short time the selling and wearing of red poppies in remembrance of the dead soldiers became a lasting tradition.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Today we remember the Australian men and women who went to war motivated by their faith in God, King and Country, and filled with the values of duty, loyalty and commitment. The Australians were remembered for their bravery and their mateship. \u00a0 <\/span>They gave their all, and for some it was their life.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Shirley Edwards and Geoff Serpell supplied some helpful information for us. Shirley\u2019s father, John Francis Dunn was an armourer in the 1st<\/sup> Australian Flying Squadron and went into action in 1916. His commanding officer was the first trained Australian pilot, Lt. Richard Williams who in time became the first Chief of Air Service of the RAAF, which was formed in 1921.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Geoff shared information that he had gathered from a visit Villers-Bretonneux.\u00a0 <\/span>The Australians became known as \u2018Diggers\u2019 a term they used themselves. It is a term that was used in the 1800s and came to be used of the Australian service men in the Anglo-Boer war, because many of them were miners and they used their mining skills to the advantage of military engagements.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

There is no better example of the impact made by the Diggers during World War 1 than in the small French village of Villers-Bretonneux, about 16 kilometres from the strategic regional centre of Amiens. It was here on Anzac Day 1918 that the Australians recaptured the village whilst halting the rampaging German advance. Villers was liberated and it was the last Germans\u2019 throw of the dice. It went on the defensive after this reverse and the Digger had played a substantial role in turning the tide.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The people of Villers-Bretonneux have never forgotten the Australians\u2019 role in saving their town. A plaque outside the Town Hall attests to the Australian Army\u201d\u2026From a population of just 4.5 million people, 313000 volunteered to serve during the war.65% of these became casualties.\u2019 <\/i>Down the road from the Town hall is Rue Victoria and the local primary school. It is named the Victoria Primary School in honour of the schoolchildren of the Australian state of Victoria who donated their pennies to help rebuild it after it was completely destroyed in March and April 1918. It was rebuilt in 1927.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In that school\u2019s quadrangle is a large sign with letters half a metre high, in English, and they read: \u201cDO NOT FORGET AUSTRALIA\u201d. A plaque on the front wall says in part: \u201cMay the memory of great sacrifice in a common cause keep France and Australia together forever in bonds of friendship and mutual esteem.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/i><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Above the classrooms the school treasures an Anzac museum, containing a fine collection of memorabilia, artefacts and photos commemorating Australia\u2019s role in liberation of their town.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We will remember these men and women because of the legacy they left us of hope, courage, honour and mateship as they struggled through extreme adversity. Many died and many more returned physically and mentally scarred.\u00a0 <\/span>Our remembrance does not honour the warring, because there is no justification for war. All wars are caused by our failure to work through our differences, our prejudices, our self-interest and greed. Foolish and selfish people bring about war.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We remember them for their endurance and nobility in the face of such suffering. Adversity brings out the worst and best in us. The adversity of WW1 left us with a tradition honour in adversity, hope in the face of defeat, and compassion for our mates.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We remember them, not to honour war, but to acknowledge their sacrifice. I came across a reflection of someone who said, we enjoy the freedom of the press because of peoples\u2019 sacrifice like that of our armed service personnel. But having said that we should not think that the sacrifice of these soldiers lives is like the sacrifice of Jesus.\u00a0 <\/span>Our soldiers died as victims of evil. Jesus died as the victor of evil, for he destroyed its ultimate power by love. Our soldiers’ death did not result in victory. It was the death of the enemy that gave us victory. \u00a0 <\/span>Jesus\u2019 death changed the power of evil for both friend and foe. The soldiers did go to sacrifice their lives. Jesus did go and sacrifice his life.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Finally a word about our reading.\u00a0 <\/span>Jesus commends the Widow not for her gift, but what her gift represented.\u00a0 <\/span>She was poor. She gave out of her poverty, whereas others had given out of their wealth. In reality most of us give to charity and the church out of our excess wealth. The widow\u2019s gift was so small, yet it was so great because she gave all she had to live on. This would have been the money that bought her the food to live on. There is another sense of the Greek that scholars point out. It can be interpreted not simply as that she gave all she had for living, but she gave her life to God. We understand that. The widow\u2019s giving is reminiscent of the disciples\u2019 leaving their nets and tax tables \u2013 their living \u2013 and following Jesus. The widow\u2019s giving calls to mind Jesus\u2019 words about taking up our cross and following him. The widow\u2019s giving all reminds us of Jesus\u2019 words to the disciples that he has not come to lord it over others, but give his life as a ransom for all.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

I believe our armed personnel went to war not intending to die but they did intend to stand against the enemy. For many their all was taken from them. We must remember them for all they gave. We must also remember that war is our shame.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

*******<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Peter C Whitaker, Leighmoor UC:\u00a0 <\/span>11\/11\/2018<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

pcwhitaker@icloud.com<\/a><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/span>\/ www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

IN FLANDERS FIELDS<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow<\/strong><\/span>
\nBetween the crosses, row on row,<\/strong><\/span>
\nThat mark our place: and in the sky<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe larks, still bravely singing, fly<\/strong><\/span>
\nScarce heard amid the guns below.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

We are the dead. Short days ago<\/strong><\/span>
\nWe lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,<\/strong><\/span>
\nLoved and were loved, and now we lie<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn Flanders’ fields.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Take up our quarrel with the foe;<\/strong><\/span>
\nTo you from failing hands we throw<\/strong><\/span>
\nThe torch; be yours to hold it high,<\/strong><\/span>
\nIf ye break faith with us who die<\/strong><\/span>
\nWe shall not sleep, though poppies grow \u00a0<\/strong><\/span>
\nIn Flanders’ Fields.<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Giving All ~ Armistice. Psalm 127;\u00a0 Mark 12: 38 – 44 At the 11th hour on the 11th of the 11th month in 1918 the armistice agreement to end the fight was signed in the railway carriage of the Commander of the Allied forces in the forest of Compi\u00e8gne. The death toll was enormous. It is estimated that there were some 15-19 million military and civilian deaths and about 23 million wounded. 62 thousand Australian armed personnel died. It was supposed to be the war that would end all wars, but it didn\u2019t. Armistice or Remembrance Day is symbolised by the red poppy. And the reasons for this lie in a mixture of biology and personal history. In May 1915 Lt. Alexis Helmer, a Canadian Artillery officer was killed. His friend, Major Dr John McCrae, was asked to conduct his funeral as the chaplain was engaged elsewhere. We are not sure how soon after the funeral, but some say that evening, John McCrae sat down and penned a poem as he reflected on the day\u2019s events and the loss of his friend. What inspired McCrae was a phenomenon that had emerged during the war. The common red corn poppy is found in Europe, North America, Asia and is a native of the Mediterranean region. The seed only germinates when is exposed to light. So the seed can lie dormant in the earth for many, many years. As the trenches, ordinance and traffic churned up the fields of Flanders the seeds came to light. What they experienced was that the poppies germinated and dotted the graves and battleground with red flowers. It was thought that the blood of soldiers fallen into the soil had redden the flowers, but it was the biological nature of the plant. It is thought that the sight of poppies and the death of his friend, whom he had buried, inspired him to right the poem, In Flanders Fields. The poem begins with these words;\u00a0 In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, and ends with\u00a0 If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders’ Fields. After the war the poppies and poem were remembered. A French woman, Anna Guerin, brought the poppies made from silk and sold them in Britain to raise funds. A US academic, Moira Michael, bought one and having read McCrae\u2019s In Flanders Fields, vowed to wear one in remembrance of the war. In 1919 at an international gathering of YMCA secretaries Moira raised the importance of the poem and the poppies. Out of that discussion arose movement to sell the poppies both as a fundraiser for returned wounded soldiers and as a remembrance of the dead. Within a short time the selling and wearing of red poppies in remembrance of the dead soldiers became a lasting tradition. Today we remember the Australian men and women who went to war motivated by their faith in God, King and Country, and filled with the values of duty, loyalty and commitment. The Australians were remembered for their bravery and their mateship. \u00a0 They gave their all, and for some it was their life. Shirley Edwards and Geoff Serpell supplied some helpful information for us. Shirley\u2019s father, John Francis Dunn was an armourer in the 1st Australian Flying Squadron and went into action in 1916. His commanding officer was the first trained Australian pilot, Lt. Richard Williams who in time became the first Chief of Air Service of the RAAF, which was formed in 1921. Geoff shared information that he had gathered from a visit Villers-Bretonneux.\u00a0 The Australians became known as \u2018Diggers\u2019 a term they used themselves. It is a term that was used in the 1800s and came to be used of the Australian service men in the Anglo-Boer war, because many of them were miners and they used their mining skills to the advantage of military engagements. There is no better example of the impact made by the Diggers during World War 1 than in the small French village of Villers-Bretonneux, about 16 kilometres from the strategic regional centre of Amiens. It was here on Anzac Day 1918 that the Australians recaptured the village whilst halting the rampaging German advance. Villers was liberated and it was the last Germans\u2019 throw of the dice. It went on the defensive after this reverse and the Digger had played a substantial role in turning the tide. The people of Villers-Bretonneux have never forgotten the Australians\u2019 role in saving their town. A plaque outside the Town Hall attests to the Australian Army\u201d\u2026From a population of just 4.5 million people, 313000 volunteered to serve during the war.65% of these became casualties.\u2019 Down the road from the Town hall is Rue Victoria and the local primary school. It is named the Victoria Primary School in honour of the schoolchildren of the Australian state of Victoria who donated their pennies to help rebuild it after it was completely destroyed in March and April 1918. It was rebuilt in 1927. In that school\u2019s quadrangle is a large sign with letters half a metre high, in English, and they read: \u201cDO NOT FORGET AUSTRALIA\u201d. A plaque on the front wall says in part: \u201cMay the memory of great sacrifice in a common cause keep France and Australia together forever in bonds of friendship and mutual esteem.\u201d\u00a0 Above the classrooms the school treasures an Anzac museum, containing a fine collection of memorabilia, artefacts and photos commemorating Australia\u2019s role in liberation of their town. We will remember these men and women because of the legacy they left us of hope, courage, honour and mateship as they struggled through extreme adversity. Many died and many more returned physically and mentally scarred.\u00a0 Our remembrance does not honour the warring, because there is no justification for war. All wars are caused by our failure to work through our differences, our prejudices, our self-interest and greed. Foolish and selfish people bring about war. We remember them<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2769","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-sermons"],"rttpg_featured_image_url":null,"rttpg_author":{"display_name":"Leighmoor.Master","author_link":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/author\/leighmoor-master"},"rttpg_comment":0,"rttpg_category":"Sermons<\/a>","rttpg_excerpt":"Giving All ~ Armistice. Psalm 127;\u00a0 Mark 12: 38 – 44 At the 11th hour on the 11th of the 11th month in 1918 the armistice agreement to end the fight was signed in the railway carriage of the Commander of the Allied forces in the forest of Compi\u00e8gne. The death toll was enormous. It…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2769","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2769"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2769\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2770,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2769\/revisions\/2770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.leighmoorunitingchurch.org.au\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}