November is a month when our thoughts naturally turn to remembrance. As the leaves fall and the days grow shorter, we remember those who have been part of our lives but are no longer with us. We remember family members and friends whose love has shaped us, whose companionship we have valued, and whose absence we continue to feel. We also remember those who gave their lives in the service of our country, and the sacrifices made by so many in the cause of peace and freedom.

One of the things I value most about village life in Balcombe is the way people come together at significant moments. Whether celebrating happy occasions, supporting one another through difficult times, or simply sharing the everyday rhythms of village life, November offers us two opportunities to come together, to remember, and to support one another.

At St Mary's, we begin the month with our All Souls Service on Sunday 1st November at 6pm. This is a quiet and reflective service at which we remember before God those who have died, giving thanks for their lives and entrusting them to God's eternal love. For anyone who has lost someone dear, whether recently or many years ago, this can be a precious opportunity to pause, to remember, and to find comfort in the company of others. You do not need to be a regular churchgoer, or even to consider yourself a religious person, to come along. If you would value a little time to remember someone you miss, you will be most warmly welcomed.

Our village comes together again on Remembrance Sunday, 8th November, with the service beginning at 10.50am. We gather to honour the men and women who have died in war, to remember all those whose lives have been affected by conflict, and to pray for a world where peace might prevail. The familiar act of silence is a powerful reminder that, even when words fail us, remembrance matters. It is also an opportunity to reflect on our own responsibility to work for reconciliation and peace in our communities and throughout the world.

There is a connection between these two occasions. Both invite us to look back with gratitude, to acknowledge the pain of loss, and to consider what we carry forward from the lives of those we remember. Remembrance is not simply about looking backwards. The love we have received, the courage we have witnessed, and the sacrifices made by others can continue to shape the way we live today.

As we enter November, I hope that St Mary's will be a place where everyone in our village can find a welcome. You may be a regular worshipper, someone who has not been to church for years, or someone who has never felt that church was for you. Perhaps you have lived in Balcombe all your life, or perhaps you are newer to the village and are still finding your feet. Whoever you are, and whatever your circumstances, our doors are open to you.

May this month give us space to remember with gratitude, to grieve with honesty, to cherish those who are still alongside us, and to look towards the future with hope. And may we continue to make Balcombe a village where kindness is freely offered, nobody feels forgotten, and everyone knows they belong.

With many blessings

Fr David