Remembrance Sunday

Remembrance Sunday is observed each year on the Sunday nearest to Armistice Day on 11 November to commemorate all those who have died for their country. In order to allow Church members to participate with their local communities in these services, Church was held from 2 to 5 pm on 10 November, rather than the usual 10:30 to 1:30. In Dundee a Parade, led by a bagpipe band, came down Reform Street and past the City Square.  There were lots of military personnel as well as others marching.

They marched over to the Steeple Church near the Overgate shopping center, and had wee ceremony with a prayer, bugle call and a short speech. At 11am we observed 2 minutes of silence, the moment when the armistice was signed on 11 November 1918, to show respect and remember the dead. Then there were lots of poppy wreaths presented, including one from the Church by Bishops Anderson and Keogh. 

        The poppy, which grew in the battlefields of France during World War I, has become a symbol of remembrance and today people wear paper poppies around Remembrance Sunday as a sign of respect. As part of the Church’s community outreach, the Wards participate in the annual poppy appeal. Earlier in the week, we spent 1.5 hours at one of the supermarkets “selling” paper poppies in support of veterans of all ages.  Lots of people donated, and it was a great experience. 

Two In, Two Out

 As a kid, growing up in central Pennsylvania, I (David) listened to Pittsburgh Pirates Baseball a lot on my Radio Shack transistor radio. The voice of the Pirates then was Bob Prince, who called Pirates games from 1948 to 1975. He was known for clever nicknames and phrases, such as deuces wild, meaning two on (base), two out, two balls, two strikes.

This past week we welcomed two new young single adults (YSA)  into our group as they were baptized, and we said farewell to two who were married in the Preston England Temple for time and all eternity, thus graduating to the category of young married adults -(YMA?) .  

Danny was baptized in Dunfermline and Temeeka was baptized in Dundee. They are both wonderful additions to our group. 

Danny's Baptism with the Sisters and Brother Lynch

The YSA that were at Danny's baptism.

Teemeka's Baptism with the Sisters and Brother Sloan

The YSA that were at Temeeka's baptism.

Claire and Dallin were married by our Stake President in the Dunfermline Chapel on Friday afternoon and then sealed in the Temple on Saturday. In the UK, the Temple sealing is not recognized as a marriage, and thus the necessity of the chapel wedding first. This does allow more friends to participate in the festivities! The reception Friday evening included a ceilidh (traditional Scottish folk dancing), and was lots of fun.

Claire and Dallin

Cutting the Cake