Humbling death

This week we mark the Commemoration of the faithful departed; All Souls’ day. An annual opportunity to remember and give thanks for those whom we have loved and see no more.

At St Stephen’s this year, we will have two opportunities to do this. The main one will be our Choral service of All Souls at 6pm on 6 November (see notice inside). We will also, however, be marking the actual day of All Souls’ at our midweek Eucharist 9.45 Wednesday 2nd. November.


This memorial is an important opportunity to remind ourselves of our Easter faith which proclaims that Christ has conquered death and opened to all the way to eternal life. This paradox and good news was captured well by my favourite poet John Donne in his tenth Holy Sonnet.

Death, be not proud, though some have called thee
Mighty and dreadful, for thou are not so;
For those whom thou think'st thou dost overthrow
Die not, poor Death, nor yet canst thou kill me.
From rest and sleep, which but thy pictures be,
Much pleasure; then from thee much more must flow,
And soonest our best men with thee do go,
Rest of their bones, and soul's delivery.
Thou'art slave to fate, chance, kings, and desperate men,
And dost with poison, war, and sickness dwell,
And poppy'or charms can make us sleep as well
And better than thy stroke; why swell'st thou then?
One short sleep past, we wake eternally,
And death shall be no more; Death, thou shalt die.