The church celebrated today (in a socially-distanced, non-party way) with James, as he presided for the first time among us following his ordination as priest. Joined by his friend Julia Sheffield (from his sending church) who preached, and his parents, church members came together in person and online to thank James for all he had brought to the life of our church. He was presented with a card and present from his friends and folk at St Edmund’s. James acknowledged that it had been a lovely yet strange year, but highlighted that his ordination as priest wasn’t an ending – nor even a beginning – but rather a day of moving along, as we recover from these days of lockdown and find new ways of being with Christ.

© 2020 St Edmund, Chingford