A new Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday has been unveiled yesterday. The existing Remembrance Day Order of Service has traditionally been in a use for a long time and now, 60 years after the end of World War II, a new service for today’s generation has been prepared by the Churches and The Royal British Legion.

As today’s generation carries the torch of Remembrance, it will also bring along with it a greater awareness of new terrors and dangers.

The new Order of Service for Remembrance Sunday is published by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and prepared with the Joint Liturgical Group of Great Britain and The Royal British Legion.

“Standing together in silence, remembering those who have died in war is an act that brings the people of this and many nations together” said Revd Canon Lucy Winkett of St Paul's Cathedral Precentor. “The silence is more important than any words. This new Service enables people of all faiths and none to stand together in profound silence and penitence and in commitment to work together for peace and justice.”

As Precentor, Rev Winkett has overseen the liturgy for commemorations of the war in Iraq and the tsunami tragedy at St Paul’s. Currently, the Cathedral is preparing to host the memorial service for the victims of the recent bombings in London.

After the two minutes silence, a familiar hymn and comforting words are read from the Old Testament. The Kohima Ephtaph is read: “When you go home tell them of us and say, for your tomorrow we gave our today.”

Afterwards, an act of commitment that does not mention God is held. This was a decision made deliberately to make the Service inclusive for people of all faiths or none.

Those gathered for the Remembrance commit themselves to make every effort for all that makes peace, seek to heal the wounds of war and work for a just future. Afterwards, there is a Christian blessing.

Laurence Binyon’s words ‘From the Fallen’ are retained but in a new move it is suggested that a young person completes the phrase ‘At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.’

According to Mr Bill Clark, The Royal British Legion Director of Administration, the new Service was designed to hand the torch of Remembrance on to the next generation. “The act of Remembrance is as significant as ever in recalling the debt owed to the war-time generation,” he said.

Prayers recognise that many non-combatants die in modern warfare and conflict and go out to “all who in bereavement, disability and pain continue to suffer the consequences of fighting and terror.” There are also prayers for peace-makers and peace-keepers.