We Remember, and We Refuse to Forget
A Meditation by Rev. Cameron Trimble
“For the dead and the living, we must bear witness.” — Elie Wiesel
Today is Yom HaShoah—Holocaust Remembrance Day.
On this day, we remember what humanity is capable of when fear becomes doctrine and power is left unchecked. We remember the six million Jews—mothers, fathers, children—killed by the Nazi regime. We remember the Roma, the disabled, the queer, the political dissidents. We remember the silence of bystanders. We remember the way whole communities disappeared while the world looked away.
Remembering is not a passive act. It is resistance.
When we say “Never again,” we do not mean only for one people, in one time. We mean never again to the politics of scapegoating. Never again to the targeting of people because of race, religion, sexuality, gender, or difference. Never again to the twisting of truth and the manipulation of fear. Never again to genocide in any form.
And yet here we are—in a world where migrants are caged and demonized, where antisemitism is rising again, where LGBTQ people are legislated out of existence, where black and brown people are erased from history, where women are denied equal rights, where authoritarian leaders are elected and cheered.
Yom HaShoah reminds us that history does not just repeat—it is repeated by us, when we do not remember rightly.
In Jewish tradition, to remember is to embody the story, to live in a way that bears witness to the God who heard the cries of the oppressed and acted—not with neutrality, but with liberating fire.
Elie Wiesel once said, “Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented.”
We are not called to be neutral in the face of evil. We are called to be faithful.
So today, we embody the story. We grieve. We pray. And we recommit ourselves to memory that moves us, to truth that demands something of us, and to a justice that does not grow weary.
May we be repairers of the breach. May we be the generation that remembers, and refuses to forget.
We are in this together,
Cameron
Reflection Questions
What does faithful remembrance look like in this moment of political crisis?
Where is God calling you to interrupt cycles of fear, hate, or violence—however quietly or boldly?
What part of your life bears witness to “Never again”?
A Prayer for the Day
A Prayer for the Ones We Lost—and the Ones We Are Becoming
God of memory and mercy,
We remember the lives lost to hatred.
We grieve the cruelty that humans can inflict upon one another.
May we never grow numb to suffering.
Grant us courage to resist the rise of tyranny,
Wisdom to speak when it is easier to stay silent,
And love that burns fierce for the dignity of every soul.
Let us be the generation that remembers—and prevents.
Amen.
Spiritual Practice
In Remembrance…
Today, light a candle in remembrance of the six million Jews and all others who were murdered during the Holocaust. As you strike the match, speak aloud: “I remember you.” If you know names—names of survivors, of loved ones, or of those whose stories have stayed with you—speak them aloud as a sacred act of witness.
Sit with the flame for at least ten minutes. Let yourself feel whatever arises—grief, anger, numbness, love. Don’t rush it. Memory takes time.
Then, choose one act of resistance as a way of honoring the memory. It might be speaking up when someone tells a joke rooted in hate. It might be writing to your elected officials about rising antisemitism, transphobia, or the treatment of immigrants. It might be donating to an organization that teaches Holocaust history or combats modern-day fascism.
Let the remembering move you—not just today, but as a rhythm of your life. May you be someone who remembers with your whole being.
Upcoming Events That Might Be of Interest…
May 19-22, 2025 - Preaching and Worship FREE Online Summit: From war to genocide to a global climate crisis to a nation that perpetuates racism, misogyny, transphobia, and more from the highest office in the land, how do we prepare a sermon, a liturgy, a song, a prayer? Learn from some of our best preachers. REGISTER HERE.
June 4, 2025, 12pm ET - Jeff Chu has written a new book on a topic close to my heart: Soil! The title is “Good Soil: The Education of an Accidental Farmhand.” I am so pleased to be interviewing him. Together, we’ll explore what it means to cultivate “good soil” in our lives, our communities, and our spiritual practices. I hope you will register. Your registration includes a copy of his new book.
July 20-25, 2025 - The Art of Wilding: A 5-Day Expedition in Wyoming for Women Leaders. Click here to learn more. Only one spot left!
August 11, 2025, 2pm ET - Dr. Andrew Root and I will be hosting a 6 part series on Spirituality in the Secular Age based on his research. The dates are August 11, 18, September 8, 15, and October 6, 13. Mark your calendars! More on this soon.
September 4, 4:30pm ET - I will be collaborating with the Anderson Forum for Progressive Theology to host a conversation with Thomas Jay Oord on Open and Relational theology. It’s a FREE event. Register here.
October 15-18, 2025 - Converging 2025: Sing Truth Conference (all musicians invited!) at Northwest Christian Church in Columbus, OH. Register here!
I drafted a Strategic Framework for Congregations as we move into the coming years of increased authoritarianism around the world. If interested, you can download it here.
We must remember! Thank you for this poignant reminder on such a critical day in our world history
Am remembering teens murdered by the Nazis, especially Walter Klingenbeck (our granddaughter's school named for him) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Klingenbeck. Their courage should inspire us!