Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends

It is difficult to describe the feeling of sadness and grief following the devastating warehouse fire at Atherston on Stour and the loss of four brave firefighters. It has touched the communities of Stratford and Alcester and surrounding area as the lives of these brave men touched so many. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families and friends as they grieve for their loss.

An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of their death, but that does not distract us from the fact that men and women of our emergency services are putting their lives on the line to serve us in the community. These men went into the burning warehouse to search for anyone trapped inside. There is no doubt that facing a raging inferno would test the mettle of anyone, and yet they continued in to save the lives of others.

Not many of us are faced with that decision, and certainly don't face it as often as some, so how would we respond to a similar situation? In the gospel of John, chapter 15 verse 13, Jesus reminds us of such a sacrifice as He foretells of His sacrifice for each one of us.

I pray that the joy and hope that we receive from following Christ and His teachings may eventually go someway to fill the void in the lives of the families and friends of these brave men.