Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Light a light for victims of virus
Marking lock down anniversary
An Airdrie minister is leading a campaign which asks people to light a candle in memory of all those who have died of coronavirus on the first anniversary of the national lockdown.
Reverend Robbie Hamilton is inviting residents to support the Light for Lives initiative at 7pm on March 23.
It also encourages pipers to play a lament at that time and asks if church bells can be rung, while the New Wellwynd minister has also written a special prayer to be shared for the occasion, which aims to “remember those who have died during the last difficult and challenging year and let those who have been bereaved know they have been remembered”.
He has gained the support of a number of faith congregations across Lanarkshire and further afield, while a Facebook page set up to promote the moment of remembrance has gained 1400 followers.
Rev Hamilton told the Advertiser: “March 23 is significant as it’s when both the First Minister and Prime Minister announced that we were going into lockdown, so it was a significant moment for the nation.
“We’re asking people to light a candle at 7pm to remember those who have died and those who are left; and people could either say a prayer or remember in their own way – it’s for everybody, of all faiths and none.
“Our reason for choosing 7pm is that we want people to be able to be at home with family, and also it’s going to be just after dark so the effect of the candles will be obvious.
“The timing represents that the past year has been a dark time, and the candle represents hope in the darkness.”
Rev Hamilton has prepared for the poignant tribute by writing a special prayer and composing a lament based on a psalm and set to a traditional melody; while video messages have also been contributed by Church of Scotland moderator Martin Fair, SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford and national clinical director Jason Leitch, who is originally from Airdrie.
They will be incorporated into a special virtual service for the New Wellwynd congregation on the Sunday preceding the anniversary, as well as being made available to other clergy members and online.
Rev Hamilton said: “The project has really taken off and is being communicated beyond the area, which is what we want – this is for everybody. I first started last year trying to get as many people as possible to remember those who have died and been bereaved during lockdown and in recent months I felt we should be doing something for the anniversary.
“Light for Lives started as I wrote to different people suggesting that we encourage all congregations to do something on that date; the local presbytery has been supportive and other denominations have also spread the message as far as possible.”
He added: “It’s hard to believe it’s been nearly a year since lockdown was first announced; like a lot of people, I’d quite naively thought that by September or October we’d be back to normal.
“I think the second lockdown has been harder because of things like the time of year – it seems there’s been more difficulty and this is trying to instil some hope.”
The Airdrie minister first began observing a weekly moment of silence early in the pandemic and first began campaigning last summer for a national day of remembrance.
He also noted that the Marie Curie charity is similarly observing a national day of reflection on March 23, which includes a moment’s silence at 12 noon.
Meanwhile, a support group for Scots who been bereaved by Covid is asking councils and businesses to illuminate landmarks across the country in yellow to mark the anniversary date, saying: “It is a colour which has become a link among families affected by Covid-19 and this will be a lovely way to remember our lost loved ones one year on since lockdown.”