Tomorrow I am taking part in a memorial service for Clackclose School where we will pray and we will remember Hannah. I am struggling with my talk and have decided instead on a simple litany which focuses on letting go and moving on, whilst retaining the theme of remembrance.
This will be the second of four Services this week, and frankly I am tired. it helps to embrace the divine mystery of knowing we do not have answers to every circumstance, it helps also to develop a robust theodicy that looks beyond the immediate pain to an eternal hope without denying pain's presence... but how to voice that for 4- 11 year old's is a struggle.
With Hannah's parents permission I post the litany:
Some of you knew Hannah well, others not so well, Hannah was a happy girl, who loved her family, loved learning and loved life, she was brave and determined, as we remember her now I am going to light some candles:
Our friend Hannah has died and we are sad.
Some of us knew her well,
Some of us did not know her very well,
But because she is not here with us and because of that
Our school has changed and we are sad, and we will miss her
Please help us to be people, who remember the good things about Hannah,
How she smiled and laughed, how she loved pretty things,
how she loved music, how she loved her family and friends,
How brave she was.
(Light a candle)
Help us to help one another,
Help us to help the teachers and other staff
To see when others are feeling sad
And to show that we care.
And as the Christmas holiday approach help us to enjoy our families.
(Light a candle)
We pray for Hannah’s family,
For her mum and dad,
For her brothers and sisters,
Christopher, Lucie,
Martin and Freya.
Please help them to remember Hannah’s smiles and laughter.
Please help them to remember how brave she was.
(Light a candle)
And now help us to be brave,
Help us to remember that it is OK to smile and to laugh,
Help us to be brave
(Light a Candle) BSL Prayer
The prayer is nonverbal, and conveys the following message:
Jesus loves me, Jesus loves you, Jesus loves everyone, thank you God Amen
Hannah carried a scrap of paper with the words Jesus loves me written on it- words of hope from the crayon of a 6 year old- we have much to learn.
