Easter during the Clergy Vacancy could have been daunting but today’s celebration was exuberant and a real culmination of Holy Week 2024. Bishop Lynne enthusiastically joined us in celebrating the good news of hope and new life, as we look forward to welcoming our new Vicar later this year. As we stood in the churchyard around the new fire, the breeze seemed it would frustrate the lighting of the Easter candle but hope and trust won out. The Easter joy continued with the children helping Bishop Lynne to distribute knitted chicks concealing chocolate eggs to all … and to much excitement even the dogs present received their own festive treats.

© 2024 St Edmund, Chingford

There was music and food, craft activities, sideshows and stalls, popcorn and candyfloss, and of course not forgetting Father Christmas in his grotto on our new stage, at our annual Christmas Market. This annual two-day event is our way of providing something fun and festive for the local community in the lead-up to Christmas. The carols and Christmassy songs played by Waltham Forest Brass band wafted out of the halls and across the road enticing people in, and they greeted by the tempting smell of mulled wine as they entered. It was a great event, with people spending time to chat and make new friends while being serenaded by Guy Davids on the saxophone before the event concluded.

© 2023 St Edmund, Chingford

Opening our Black History Month Celebration on 28 October, The Revd Eileen Rose spoke of her Jamaican Maroon heritage, and throughout the day people had the opportunity to hear the real life experiences of black pioneers within our own community, from the harsh realities of apartheid, and to their struggles and achievements in the UK. There was poetry, crafts, music and song, food, dance and chat, with opportunities to learn and share. The keynote talk by Aletha Saunders highlighted the enormous impacts that the black people have made on every area of life: remembering those who have gone before, celebrating how far we have come, but honouring those who continue the struggle against injustice today which is still far from over.

© 2023 St Edmund, Chingford

On his first major organ tour of Britain, Jan Liebermann performed at St Edmund’s on Sunday 30 July. The young organist from Frankfurt is seen as the likely next ‘big name’ in the organ world, and he didn’t disappoint. In a programme of works by Bach, Pachelbel, Mendelssohn, Widor and Duruflé, the audience sat enthralled, amazed at his skill and versatility. Not many were aware that he had only been playing the organ for the past 4½ years, and only Chris our organist knew that the organ had developed a fault just before the recital started. Yet Jan performed the pieces brilliantly, working around the fault, so that no one twigged that one B note was missing throughout the recital. As the final piece – Duruflé’s Prélude et fugue sur le nom d’Alain – finished, the audience erupted into applause; we had experienced something very special.

© 2023 St Edmund, Chingford

People packed into the Church for Lesley’s final service as our Vicar on Sunday 30 April. Members of the local community, and old friends from far away, joined the church family to worship and celebrate all Lesley had brought and achieved during her time with us, and in a huge show of love for just being her. At the end of the service, she handed back symbols of her office and her ministry among us, before we handed to her a massive card and various gifts to remind her of the affection in which she is held. A drinks and buffet reception followed where people reminisced and laughed, while also wishing a sad farewell to Lesley on her retirement.

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© 2023 St Edmund, Chingford