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Friday 20th March 2015<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

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Good morning. ÌýThere are events we remember forever, times that are seared into our memories. We needn’t necessarily have been present at them but they are of such significance as to leave a mark forever on our memory. So people ask - where were you when you heard President Kennedy had been shot or that Elvis had died?

Today is the anniversary of the Warrington bomb. On this day in 1993 two IRA bombs exploded. Many people will remember hearing the blast, others like me will remember precisely where they were when they heard the news. Still others will carry the scars of that experience for the rest of their lives. Three Ìýyear old Johnathan Ball and twelve year old Tim Parry were killed leaving their families in the grip of shock and loss.

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On this day there will be much remembering, much sorrow, much gratitude for work done to prevent terrorist violence causing havoc and distress, much courage celebrated in lives dedicated to reconciling old enemies and working to build communities and societies in which there will be no more Warringtons.

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(We give thanks for the courage so many have found to work for a different world. And as we remember we hear a call on all our lives to make peace and not suffering.

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Some of those who suffered most because of what happened in Warrington work to establish people together on the road to peace, and provide learning and healing support. In the words of Colin Parry, Tim’s Dad, who in August last year shared a Belfast stage with a former IRA commander.

‘out of a terribly dark deed has come something rather good.’

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We thank you Lord Ìýfor the many who have found it in them to turn a dark experience into something good to inspire us all to do the same. Amen