The People You’ll Never Forget
The observance of All Saints’ Day is often traced back to the fourth century. We will observe All Saints Day Sunday, November 3, during all three services. The celebration recalls those who have died in the past twelve months. All Saints’
Day is part of a triduum of remembering the dead which includes All Hallows Eve, All Hallows Day and All Souls Day. This triduum (three day observance) is also known as Allhallowtide. In some Anglican traditions, the observance extends to Remembrance Sunday “to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian servicemen and women in the two World Wars and later conflicts” according to the Department of Culture, Media and Sport. Other traditions label this extended observance Veterans Sunday. In both traditions, the celebrations are held on the second Sunday of November.
In an article entitled “All Saints Day: A Holy Day John Wesley Loved,” Joe Lovino noted that “the Christian celebration of All Saints' Day and All Souls' Day stems from a belief that there is a powerful spiritual bond between those in heaven (the "Church triumphant"), the living (the "Church militant"), and the "Church penitent" which includes the faithful departed.” As we include the names of the members of the local church who have died since the last observance of All Saints Day, most of us also fondly recall others who have died during this period who may not have been members of Christ UMC. We also probably recall members of our family and others who have profoundly impacted our lives. The photo above shows my parents and me on the day I received my PhD in Clinical/Community Psychology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Even though my mom died a year later and my dad died in 2018, there isn’t a day that I don’t think of them.
In those moments in which we remember the people whom we have known “who now rest from their labors,” we are often filled with a tremendous sense of gratitude. We realize the precious gift of time and the fleeting moments that are too often wasted.
The All Saints Day service is often a tear-filled time of precious memories being recalled and a longing for bygone days. While we grieve, it is most important you remember that “we do not grieve as those who are without hope“ (Thessalonians 4:13). As Christ has promised to prepare a place for us, we all expect that we shall know the day that He will come to take us to be with Him (John 14:3). With this promise, our tears of sorrow are transformed into tears of hope.
In Christ,
Jon McCoy
