From Terri Bond
Sir, - I was very surprised to read of criticism from clergy of
Sainsbury's Christmas Truce ad (News, 21 November).
I still have my grandfather's First World War brass cigarette tin,
complete with greetings card from the King and Queen, which will be
used in various talks and sermons this year.
He was one of the many soldiers who took part in these truces,
and when I saw this ad I knew how moved he would have been to see
it recognised and marked. Yes, of course it's an ad; but there are
three minutes of trenches, and just a few seconds of the
Sainsbury's logo, plus support for the Royal British Legion.
Do those who object to this thoughtful ad really imagine that
the noisy Christmas ads featuring penguins, food, or new sofas
better capture the "spirit of Christmas"? Let's not be too
cynical.
TERRI BOND
The Rectory, La Marquanderie
St Brelade, Jersey JE3 8EP
The Northumbria and Newcastle Universities Martin Luther
King Peace Committee has produced a set of resources to help
churches remember the truces, and has also released materials for
schools. All are free to download from www.mlkpc.org. The Revd
Andii Bowsher, Chaplaincy and Faith Advice, Northumbria University,
Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8ST, would be happy to hear from readers
about using them.