South Chingford Methodist Church’s friends from St Edmund’s, North Chingford Methodist Church and the ChEWS Dog Club, all came together to celebrate their annual Covenant Service on 22 January. The service was also joined by a number of doggy friends from St Edmund’s and CHeWS. The service was taken by Sue Creighton (Methodist Minister at Loughton), and our own vicar Lesley Goldsmith preached. (Her sermon can be read here.) The Church of England and the Methodist Church entered into a Covenant with each other back in November 2003, since which time the two churches here in South Chingford have partnered each other and supported each other’s services and events.

© 2023 St Edmund, Chingford

Bishop Guli, with some of those who worked on creating our mosaic.

In January 2020, work began on a new artwork for the church created by members of the church. Lead by James Gilder our then curate, it was completed just before he started his secondment at Wanstead at the beginning of this year. We were pleased to welcome the Bishop of Chelmsford (The Right Reverend Guli Frances-Dehqani), who blessed the mosaic during our service, and were glad that James could also be with us.

The mosaic was created in the experience of isolation following the outbreak of COVID, as lockdown restrictions eased and as we turned to face a new tomorrow that was similar to what we had known before but changed.

It helps us to remember those who suffered and died during the Coronavirus Pandemic, and to recall the repeating message from scripture that we should not be afraid nor to let ourselves to be held back by our fear.

© 2022 St Edmund, Chingford

A Book of Condolence has been opened at St Edmund’s for all who wish to record their tribute to Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who sadly died on 8 September.

You are invited to come along during the open hours of the Church (on Saturday mornings and at the times of services) to sign the Book. The Book will remain open until Her Late Majesty’s funeral.

You may also submit a message to the Church on England’s online book of condolence here.

© 2022 St Edmund, Chingford

The Common Cup returned to St Edmund’s this morning, two years since it was suspended at the first lockdown. The Church family came together to celebrate again the Resurrection, filling the church. It was good to welcome back some for whom this was their first venture back to the church and also a number of dogs who had accompanied their owners. At the end of the service, a brood of coloured chicks in a basket were taken around the church, as Lesley distributed one to each person present. Tucked inside, a chocolatey eggy surprise was concealed.

© 2022 St Edmund, Chingford

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When James Gilder first came to St Edmund’s to be our Assistant Curate, few could have imaged what the ensuing 2½ years would bring. The COVID pandemic brought a different kind of curacy, responding to the challenges of being an open church during lockdowns even when our buildings were shut. Never short of ideas, and a determination to reach out to the local community and particularly those isolated during these strange times, he was the driving force behind successful events such as our 2019 Pancake Party and helping the parish to achieve its Eco Church accreditation. The online social ‘More Tea, Vicar?’ was his brainchild, and he channelled members’ creativity to make a new mosaic for the church. On Sunday, we said a sad farewell before he took up his new post at Wanstead parish. We will long remember his many achievements in building up strong friendships and making a real impact on our church life.

© 2022 St Edmund, Chingford

An Ode to Auld Sooth Chingford – Burns Night and Valedictory 2022

Amidst a glen of thirties houses
Lies a place my heart espouses:
South Chingford, where my angels rolled the dice,
Has been a curate’s paradise.

From up the Mount to the old dog track,
I’ve biked these streets and walked them back.
I’ve delivered magazines, had cups of tea,
I’ve trespassed whilst angry householders shout at me.

I’ve helped you make a big mosaic,
And posted sermons in a letterbox by mistake,
And though we’ve endured a pandemic,
You’ve put up with all of my polemic.

Now, South Chingford may not be that pretty
But it’s my favourite part of this city.
St Peter and Paul may have a steeple
But you see, St Edmund’s has the best of people.

For you bade me welcome, you took me to heart,
You bought me drinks, fed me treacle tart.
And you taught me so much about the art
Of loving.

© 2022, James Gilder
Used with permission