Christ Church Thurnby Lodge was the venue on Saturday afternoon for a beautiful, moving and inspiring event celebrating the arrival of the SS Windrush in Tilbury Docks on 22 June 1948. The service brought together congregations from the Ascension Team of Churches and St Matthew's Seventh Day Adventist church and they were joined by Bishop Saju.
It was an evening of poetry, worship, testimony from children and adults followed. Hearing the testimony of those who made the journey after Windrush. One of the children recited "Windush child" and Pastor Jonathan shared a poignant word reminding us all that Britain today is what it is because of the Windrush and all those who have immigrated since.
A unity choir was formed between the churches as we sang together, which ended with Bishop Saju's closing words about the search of all people to find home. Finally the congregation ate Caribbean food together.
Revd Paul Savage, Priest in Charge of the Ascension group of Parishes, commented that “the event gave us a chance to celebrate the rich heritage we have as churches and communities and to give thanks for the contribution of those from the Caribbean in our communities and to acknowledge that in the past we haven’t always acknowledged the gift that they are.”
The churches of the Ascension Parish also held a Zoom service on Windrush Day (22 June) and plan to hold similar events next year.