A SERVICE MARKING
THE CENTENARY OF
THE DECLARATION OF
“THE GREAT WAR”
4 AUGUST, 1914
The Cathedral Church of St. David
Monday, August 4, 2014
at 10am
The Tasmanian Council of Churches
in cooperation with the State Government
The Tasmanian
Council of Churches
About this service
On 4 August 1914, Britain declared war on Germany. Australia’s Prime Minister, Andrew
Fisher, pledged the Australian Government’s full support to Britain. This resulted in
thousands of Australian troops being sent to battlefields in New Guinea, Turkey, the
Middle East, Belgium and France. Thousands were killed and many more suffered from
physical and psychological injuries which had ongoing impact on their return home.
The Great War, and the effect it had on the Australian community, continues to have an
impact on our historical, cultural and social landscape.
Today, we mark 100 years since the declaration of war in Europe. We take this
opportunity to remember the sacrifice and courage of the soldiers who fought in those
campaigns overseas, the families and friends who supported their service and the
communities that were so significantly affected during the war years.
We also remember those who have died or are bereaved in ongoing conflicts in our world.
The Cathedral Church of St. David is an appropriate place to hold this service given the
War Memorial on the south side of the Murray St. entrance, and numerous memorial
windows in the North Transept and Nixon Chapel. You may care to spend some time
looking around the Cathedral following this service.
At 11.00am, the bells of St David’s Cathedral will be tolled to promote remembrance of
this significant day in history and for our nation.
Please ensure that all mobiles phones are turned off or to silent.
Thanks to:
The Right Rev’d Chris Jones
Chris is the CEO of Anglicare, the largest community services organisation in Tasmania.
He is also Vicar General and Assistant Bishop for the Anglican Church in Tasmania. Chris
holds a range of board appointments in the Church and community and has undertaken
doctoral studies in governance. His parents served in the RAN and WRAN.
Collegiate Singers under the Direction of Anne Morgan.
Organist: Father David O’Neill.
All hymns printed in this booklet are reproduced under the Church Copyright Licence No 166606
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.2
Welcome
Bishop Chris Jones
Please stand for the arrival of the Lieutenant Governor of Tasmania His Excellency the Honourable
Justice Alan Blow OAM and Mrs Blow.
Introduction
The Rev’d Jeff Gray, Uniting Church
Please be seated
A shot was fired in Sarajevo, and the nations of the world were drawn into the
conflagration that became known as “The Great War.”
This war, which was to be over by Christmas, was to last more that four years
with over 16 million combatants and civilians dead.
This “War to end all Wars” led to an even greater war and has had political
and social repercussions that are still felt today.
We mark this Centenary of the Declaration of this Great War with silence and
reflection.
In the quietness of this time we remember the sounds of the battlefield, the
cost of victory, the despair of defeat, the deprivations of captivity.
We remember all those who lie buried in distant lands,
we remember those who suffered at home.
We remember those who fought the war and those who fought for peace.
We remember sailors, soldiers and airmen, nurses, ancillary workers
and those who because of conscience fought a different kind of battle.
We remember ordinary Australians, sons and daughters,
husbands and wives, fathers and mothers, lovers, relatives and friends.
We remember how those events of a century ago affected our world,
our nation and continue to impact our future.
We remember – lest we forget.
The Union Jack flag is taken down from its place and placed in front of the Nave Altar. This flag
was carried by Katherine Mary Roberts at the head of the troops on their departure and return
during the Great War.
A soldier’s helmet and nurse’s cap are placed alongside.
“The lamps are going out all over Europe, we shall not see them lit again in
our life-time"
British statesman Sir Edward Grey on Monday, 3 August 1914
The altar candles are extinguished.
Silence
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.3
1914
Wilfred Owen December 1914
Read by Ms Pat Leary, Chair Centenary of ANZAC Steering Committee.
War broke: and now the Winter of the world
With perishing great darkness closes in.
The foul tornado, centred at Berlin,
Is over all the width of Europe whirled,
Rending the sails of progress. Rent or furled
Are all Art's ensigns. Verse wails. Now begin
Famines of thought and feeling. Love's wine's thin.
The grain of human Autumn rots, down-hurled.
For after Spring had bloomed in early Greece,
And Summer blazed her glory out with Rome,
An Autumn softly fell, a harvest home,
A slow grand age, and rich with all increase.
But now, for us, wild Winter, and the need
Of sowings for new Spring, and blood for seed.
Silence
Anthem: Pie Jesu
From “Requiem” by Andrew Lloyd Webber
Anthem for doomed youth
Wilfred Owen September - October, 1917
Read by Ms Alice Claridge, descendent of the late Private Alec Campbell
What passing-bells for these who die as cattle?
Only the monstrous anger of the guns.
Only the stuttering rifles' rapid rattle
Can patter out their hasty orisons.
No mockeries now for them; no prayers nor bells;
Nor any voice of mourning save the choirs, The shrill, demented choirs of wailing shells;
And bugles calling for them from sad shires.
What candles may be held to speed them all?
Not in the hands of boys but in their eyes
Shall shine the holy glimmers of goodbyes.
The pallor of girls' brows shall be their pall;
Their flowers the tenderness of patient minds,
And each slow dusk a drawing-down of blinds.
Wilfred Owen was killed at Ors, near the French Belgian border, on 4 November 1918, aged 25.
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.4
Worldwide over 16 million soldiers and civilians died due to the conflict.
Over 14500 Tasmanian men enlisted, and over 2,500 died, 5,000 injured
Australia wide 416,000 served, 60,000 died, 120,000 injured.
A Cathedral Bell is tolled 8 times with each toll representing 2 million of those killed.
Silence
The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation
Led by Fr Brian Nichols, The Catholic Church.
As we remember the death and darkness of this world we turn in hope to the
one who is the resurrection and the life, and the light of the world. In the light
of his love and forgiveness we recognise the darkness in our own lives and
society.
The Coventry Litany of Reconciliation
All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God.
The hatred which divides nation from nation, race from race, class from
class,
Father Forgive.
The covetous desires of people and nations to possess what is not their own,
Father Forgive.
The greed which exploits the work of human hands and lays waste the earth
Father Forgive.
Our envy of the welfare and happiness of others,
Father Forgive.
Our indifference to the plight of the imprisoned, the homeless, the refugee,
Father Forgive.
The lust which dishonours the bodies of men, women and children,
Father Forgive.
The pride which leads us to trust in ourselves and not in God,
Father Forgive.
Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, as God in
Christ forgave you.
After the bombing of Coventry in 1940 the Provost viewed the destruction of the once beautiful
Cathedral. He paused and picked up a piece of charcoal from the rubble and walked to what was
left of the wall behind the High Altar and wrote “Father Forgive.” These words have become the
central part of the now world famous Coventry Litany of Reconciliation prayed by millions of
visitors to Coventry Cathedral and now prayed worldwide.
The candles, apart from the central candle, are relit
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.5
Hymn: O God, our help in ages past
Text:Isaac Watts 1674-1748 based on Psalm 90
Tune: St. Anne
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
our shelter from the stormy blast,
and our eternal home:
A thousand ages in thy sight
are like an evening gone:
short as the watch that ends the night
before the rising sun.
Under the shadow of thy throne
thy saints have dwelt secure:
sufficient is thine arm alone,
and our defence is sure.
Time, like an ever-rolling stream
bears all its sons away:
they fly forgotten as a dream
dies at the opening day.
Before the hills in order stood,
or earth received her frame,
from everlasting thou art God
to endless years the same.
O God, our help in ages past,
our hope for years to come,
be thou our guard while troubles last,
and our eternal home.
First Reading: Micah 4:1-5
Read by Mr Guy Barnett MP, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier
In the last days the mountain of the LORD’s temple will be established as chief
among the mountains; it will be raised above the hills, and peoples will stream to it.
Many nations will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD,
to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in
his paths.” The law will go out from Zion, the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
He will judge between many peoples and will settle disputes for strong nations far
and wide. They will beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning
hooks. Nation will not take up sword against nation, nor will they train for war
anymore. Every man will sit under his own vine and under his own fig tree, and no
one will make them afraid, for the LORD Almighty has spoken.
All the nations may walk in the name of their gods; we will walk in the name of the
LORD our God for ever and ever.
Anthem: Lead Me Lord
Samuel Sebastian Wesley
Second Reading: Romans 12:9-12
Read by Brigadier John Withers, Senior Australian Defence Force Officer
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another
with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be
ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in suffering, persevere in
prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints; extend hospitality to strangers.
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.6
Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them. Rejoice with those who
rejoice, weep with those who weep. Live in harmony with one another; do not be
haughty, but associate with the lowly; do not claim to be wiser than you are. Do not
repay anyone evil for evil, but take thought for what is noble in the sight of all. If it is
possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave room for the wrath of God; for it is
written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” No, “if your enemies are
hungry, feed them; if they are thirsty, give them something to drink; for by doing this
you will heap burning coals on their heads.” Do not be overcome by evil, but
overcome evil with good.
This is the word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God
The Address
The Right Rev’d Chris Jones
Anthem: The Lord’s Prayer
Albert Hay Malotte
Prayers
Please sit or kneel
A Prayer for Peace. Led by Sarah Humphrey, St. Michael’s Collegiate School.
God of the nations, whose sovereign rule brings justice and peace, have
mercy on our broken and divided world. Shed abroad your peace in the
hearts of all and banish from them the spirit that makes for war, that all races
may learn to live as members of one family and hasten the day when nation
shall not lift up sword against nation neither learn war any more. This we
pray in the name of Jesus who gave his life for the sake of the world. Amen.
A Prayer for Australia. Led by David McQuillan, The Hutchins School.
God of love and liberty, we bring our thanks today for the peace and security
that we enjoy and may we be generous with this blessing with all who come
to our shores. We give thanks for all who have served our nation and pray
for those who now serve in the defence forces of this land. Give them
courage and comfort in danger, patience in waiting, and discipline in the just
use of force. Teach us all to serve each other in compassion and peace
following in the ways of Jesus. Amen.
Praying for those who continue to bear the cost of war. Led by Jenni Bond, Tasmania Quakers.
In silence we pray for and seek peace through reconciliation, and the
removal of fear, hatred and greed, the seeds of war which reap an ongoing
harvest of death and destruction. As hostilities continue we remember all
victims of current conflicts and those who bear the cost of war.
Lighting a candle, lighting hope.
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.7
The centre candle is lit.
A prayer for comfort and strength. led by Major Michael Wright, The Salvation Army
Loving Father, we pray for those who continue to suffer because of war and
those who bear scars and griefs from conflict. Be to them the source of all
comfort, and their refuge and strength in sorrow. For us all may we know the
hope of Jesus’ resurrection and the coming of your kingdom where we will be
united with all your people when every tear will be wiped away. Amen
Hymn
Words: Frederik Herman Kaan 1929 Music: Eventide – Henry Francis Lyte 1793-1847
God! As with silent hearts we bring to mind
How hate and war diminish humankind,
We pause, and seek in worship to increase
Our knowledge of the things that make for peace.
Hallow our will as humbly we recall
The lives of those who gave and give their all.
We thank you, God, for Women, children, men
Who seek to serve in love, today as then.
Give us deep faith to comfort those who mourn,
High hope to share with all the newly born,
Strong love in our pursuit of human worth:
‘lest we forget’ the future of this earth.
So, God of Peace, disarm our trust in power,
Teach us to coax the plant of peace to flower.
May we, impassioned by your living word,
Remember forward to a world restored.
The Blessing
Bishop Chris Jones
“All our remembrances and honours are meaningless, unless we also vow to
become resolute about peace because that is what those whom we
remember and honour … thought they were dying for.”
Hon Peter Underwood. Anzac Day 2013.
Go forth into the world in peace; be of good courage; hold fast to what is
good; render to no man evil for evil; strengthen the fainthearted; support the
weak; help the afflicted; honour all people love and serve the Lord, rejoicing
in power of the Holy Spirit. And the blessing of God Almighty, the Father,
the Son and the Holy Spirit, be upon you and remain with you always. Amen.
Centenary of the Declaration of The Great War p.8