Author Tony Fairweather – founder and curator of the Windrush Collection – brought his exhibition of artefacts to St Edmund’s this past week. This allowed the local community to step inside St Edmund’s Church to find a recreated Caribbean front room, and remember the items found in many Windrush generation homes. Throughout the week local residents and groups came to explore the exhibition cultimating in a whole-day celebration on Saturday 20 June.

Introducing the celebration, Churchwarden Catherine Greenidge recounted her own family’s story of leaving the familiarity of home, family and friends in order to travel to a war-torn country, with little more than a ‘grip’ (a single carboard suitcase) but full of hope. It is the courage and determination of the Windrush generation that we honour and their resilience that we celebrate in leading, inspiring and shaping our society today.

Tony Fairweather and Frank Sweeney explore and reminisce over the exhibition artefacts.

© 2026 St Edmund, Chingford

In the Sermon slot, Emma encouraged us to ‘waste time’ in fun exploration of faith through questions, such as: what we would like to ask God, what question about God do we need an answer to, finding more about the faith of others, and asking God a question about our own selves.

Left to right: Ruth, Yasmin, Emma, Ann

© 2026 St Edmund, Chingford

October 2025 saw the first ever Chingford Mount Black History Month programme. There were a range of events, workshops, pop-up markets, park events, exhibitions, walks, talks and plenty more. The programme was delivered in partnership with community leaders and local organisations, and included St Edmund’s own local Black History Month celebrations.

On the Saturday of the last weekend in October, St Edmund’s Halls were opened free to all to explore, celebrate and raise awareness of black heritage and culture. There was an opportunity to enjoy an Afternoon Tea with Kuchela, patties, ackee and puff puff, as well as browsing stalls selling craft, clothing and jewellery. Poet and storyteller Jane Grell enthralled those present with her poems and stories of Anansi, and with music from the Jenny La Touche choir.

The following day, the celebration continued in our morning service. Our guest preacher, The Revd Hilda Gilbert reminded us of the person and character of Nelson Mandela, highlighting his work in reconciliation and seeking peace and understanding. At the end of the service, we planted rose mint in the churchyard remembered Doris Albrecht, St Edmund’s first black Lay Minister of Communion, who died in April this year.

© 2025 St Edmund, Chingford

As we celebrated our Dedication Festival – the 86th Anniversary of the Consecration of our Church – today, Ruth focused our attention on the surprising fact that the first person recorded as ‘filled with the Spirit of God’ was not a priest nor a prophet but rather (as recounted in the Book of Exodus) an obscure craftsman Bezalel who constructs the Tabernacle. What we do today is built on the accomplishments of those from the past. Today, we commemorated two good friends who served St Edmund’s over a long period – Ken Smith (former Churchwarden, PCC Secretary & PCC Treasurer, and Halls Manager) and George Fletcher (former Churchwarden and PCC Secretary) who both died on the same day in September 2021. A new glass Roundel remembering Ken, and two Acolyte candlesticks remembering both Ken and George were dedicated. Both men had played an important role in the history and development of St Edmund’s, and it was good to also welcome our previous Vicars Christopher Owens and Lesley Goldsmith to celebrate Ken and George with us.

© 2025 St Edmund, Chingford

A new stained glass window in memory of former church treasurer and Sunday School teacher, Pat Fry, was dedicated on 8 December. Designed by artist Andrew Taylor, the window brings together ancient Christian motifs symbolic of resurrection, which also are also representative of Pat’s family.

The scene depicts a peacock lifting its head as it rises from sleep; while a cockerel crows, proclaiming the new day; and larks’ bird-song welcomes God’s gift of new beginnings and the ongoing cycle of life and renewal, as seen throughout the window in the transformative life cycle of butterflies.

© 2024 St Edmund, Chingford