NOVEMBER is the month for remembering.

At the beginning of the month, we have All Souls when we remember those whom we love who have died, and later we have Remembrance Sunday when we remember those who have died for their country.

In the very act of remembering we recall someone... we draw on the memories which we have, and we make those memories present to us.

As human beings, remembering with our minds can also evoke feelings in our hearts too. Remembering can be an emotional journey and it can be healing too.

When we remember we bring to mind someone; we draw on our memories. But, of course, because we are human beings, what we remember with our minds evokes feeling in our hearts and in our bodies.

Our memories may make us feel warm and comforted – they may fill us with joy, or they may fill us with sadness and sorrow – they may make us feel low.

Often, we light candles as a sign of remembering and we might say a prayer for that person as well.

The candlelight reminds us that we too can share the light of hope, that we carry, with others. When you are in a dark place, the warmth of a smile or a kind word can mean a lot.

Remembering is important and it is important that we are gentle with ourselves and give ourselves time and space in which to do our remembering.

The Rev Matthew Tregenza

Crediton Parish Church