[Monday's Devotional] - City of Peace and Reconciliation

City of Peace and Reconciliation If you have driven into Coventry over the last few years you might have noticed the signs welcoming you to the City.  If you've looked closely you will have seen the designation of Coventry as "City of Peace and Reconciliation". That is certainly a great aspiration, but to what extent it's an accurate description will depend on who you are and your experience of life in the city, whether as a resident, worker, migrant or visitor. I only lived in the City for two years and that was a long time ago, but it has been my place of work and a place with which I identify…. strongly.  Part of my identification with the city, its people and its history, stems from involvement with the Cathedral and its life. Many reading this will be aware of the Cathedral's story.  In modern times that story began in 1918 when the new Diocese of Coventry was created.  St Michael's 14th century church was designated the cathedral, the 'mother church' of the diocese. On the 14th November 1940 incendiary bombs were dropped on the city and St Michael's burned.  Within a day or so Dick Howard, the Provost, knew what his public response would be.  In the shadow of two charred pieces of roof timber, formed into a cross, he mouthed the words 'Father forgive'!  He did not mean 'Father forgive the German airmen for the death and destruction they have inflicted on us'.  He pointed to the need for forgiveness that we all share, without exception. His stand was the inspiration for a story that continues today, a story of 'reconciliation'.  It was the seed that led the City Fathers to brand Coventry as the 'City of Peace and Reconciliation'.  Over the next few days we will look at these themes and have an opportunity to reflect on their relevance to us now.        Jesus said: "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." Luke 23:34a [NIV] Read Jesus's words above and ponder the story of the Cathedral in the following link: http://www.coventrycathedral.org.uk/wpsite/our-history/       Richard Farnell Twitter Website Copyright © 2017 St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email as a subscriber to the Daily Devotionals Our mailing address is: St. Matthew & St. Oswald's Church 1a New Street Rugby, Warwickshire CV22 7BE United Kingdom Add us to your address book Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list Want to be added to our mailing list? - sign up here!