An initiative to commemorate 100 years since the end of the First World War – with 100 days of prayer – will begin across the UK on 4 August.
Remembrance 100 – organised by Hope Together, a Christian charity – will run until Armistice Day on 11 November upon which the centenary falls.
The United Reformed Church is a partner in the initiative, which encourages local churches, schools and communities to observe the centenary in different ways. On each of the 100 days, those who sign up are invited to spend just a few minutes taking part in prayers and other activities.
Tuesday 4 August 1914 was the first day of the war in which some 8.5 million soldiers were killed through combat, 21 million were wounded and 7.7 million were taken as prisoners of war. Millions of civilians also died as a result of starvation, disease, massacres or military encounters.
In 1918, 4 August was observed as a National Day of Prayer following King George V’s request; 100 days later, the war ended. The 100th anniversary of that day brings a particular resonance to Armistice Day 2018 and to the prayers for peace that will precede it.
Nationally planned events include a rally for peace at Trafalgar Square in London on 21 September. Remembrance Sunday itself will see URC congregations join thousands of others in marking the centenary with Remembrance services, many of which will be followed by peace parties.
Local churches planning events should check the Remembrance 100 website regularly, as it is being continually updated with resources. These will include a guide on how to hold a peace party, a short video about peace, based on Revelation 21:3-4, and a pocket-sized booklet that can be handed out at events. Other resources for activities and reflection, produced by the Bible Society and others, include:
• Hear My Cry, a book of reflections, Bible verses and stories from the First World War, priced at £1.50 each
• Free lesson plans for school teachers
• A free copy of Lifewords’ First World War active service Gospel distributed to soldiers, prisoners and refugees in 1914
• Lifewords’ ‘
’ film, freely available to use during the two-minute silence, and• Christian Vision for Men’s ‘Greater Love’ film, also freely available
