On 18 March, St Edmund’s in line with all other churches across England suspended all services and activities in the light of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our main act of worship transferred online using Zoom conferencing, with most of the congregation continuing to come together on video and by phone with an average attendance of 56. Our online worship and fellowship was included by the Diocese of Chelmsford, when it reported on good news stories of how churches were finding new ways to bless their communities. Now five months later, on 23 August, our main act of worship will resume in church, as we move towards finding a ‘new normal’. We are intentionally keeping to our ‘Eucharistic Fast’ for another month, with our first Communion since lockdown on 27 September. This will be the day after James our curate is priested and the service will be a celebration of new beginnings and new ministry, with James presiding.

© 2020 St Edmund, Chingford

St Edmund’s – together with our Anglican partners at Chingford Hatch and Higham Hill – are committed to working to reduce our carbon footprint and to take positive action to care for our environment, acknowledging that the world is not ours but God’s. On Saturday 15 February, we met at St Anne’s to hear from The Revd Canon Imogen Nay, who when Rector in Rugby last year led her church to becoming one of just five in the UK to receive an award for its eco-friendly work. We are seeking to learning from her experiences and achieving something similar here in Waltham Forest. Watch this space!

© 2020 St Edmund, Chingford

St Edmund’s Annual Christmas Market was held at the end of November, and proved a great celebration for the local community. There was food and stalls and entertainment. Waltham Forest Brass got all into the festive mood with Carols, and Guy Davids played Sax as residents and staff of local care homes danced around the floor. Father Christmas came to bring some magic for the children.

© 2019 St Edmund, Chingford

The Bishop of Barking (The Right Reverend Peter Hill) commissioned a new Mission and Ministry Unit comprising ourselves, St Anne’s Chingford, and St Andrew’s Walthamstow. With members of South Chingford Methodist Church and Higham Hill Baptists, the three parishes came together at St Edmund’s on Sunday morning 13 October. The youth choir from Higham Hill sang during Communion, and Bishop Peter invited the kids to join him in the blessing the congregation. After the service, all joined in a bun fight of sandwiches and cakes, with lots of opportunities to make relationships together with our new partners in mission and ministry.

© 2019 St Edmund, Chingford

St Edmund’s turned up to the Cathedral on Saturday 14 September to cheer on our new Curate James Gilder who was ordained as deacon. Following the service, his friends, family, former colleagues and new congregation carried on the celebration at The Transition Gallery for prosecco and cake. The following day at our 10 o’clock Sunday Service, James made his Declaration of Assent in front of the congregation, before everyone once again joined in cake and wine continuing the celebration.

© 2019 St Edmund, Chingford