Rev’s Reflection November 2026

As I write this in mid-October, the temperature is rocking upwards of 21 degrees! Now I love a bit of sunshine and I’m not complaining (although it sounds like it) but I do feel rather short-changed. I expected autumn ….  made up of crisp mornings, russet-coloured leaves and cosy jumpers. Instead, the weather seems determined to hang on to summer, and my woolly jumpers must wait patiently to break free from their summer sabbatical. By the time you read this, the clocks will have gone back, and the evenings will be drawing in. November will have arrived, bringing with it a gentle invitation to remember, because November is the month of remembering.

On 11th November, and Remembrance Sunday on the 8th, many of us will pause to remember and honour those who sacrificed so much in times of conflict. Generations of people will gather from different backgrounds and beliefs, and they will be coming together in gratitude, remembering not only the past but also our responsibility to build a more peaceful future. Looking into the innocent eyes of our grandchildren, I can’t help praying for a gentler, more peaceful world for them to grow up in.

November also invites us to remember those we have loved and lost, with many churches holding services where we can come, sit and perhaps light a candle in memory of a loved one. For some, grief is a daily companion, regardless of the season, but memories, even when tinged with sadness, can also bring warmth. Sometimes it’s a familiar saying, a shared family story, or a chuckle at someone’s wonderfully peculiar habits and personality. Remembering can bring tears, but also gratitude for the love we have known.

So perhaps November offers us a simple challenge … to notice someone who may need a chat, a kind word, or to simply listen. Small and seemingly insignificant moments can make a surprising difference.

As November unfolds, I hope we will find comfort in cherished memories, joy in friendships and opportunities to brighten someone’s day. It is often said that kindness costs nothing, but its warmth can last far longer than a rather too warm Autumn.

And if someone could remind the weather it’s November, my cocooned jumpers and their wearer would be most grateful!

Julie                  ‘I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.’ Psalm 143:5