Saturday 23 March at the New Testament Assembly, Tooting, 7 to 9pm
The National Day of Reflection service is held yearly to support and uplift Black communities (African and Caribbean diaspora here in the UK) affected by Covid-19, highlighting the disproportionate effect of the pandemic. It is a time to remember and reflect on the lives of the people who have died.
The service will be held on the fourth anniversary of the first lockdown on Saturday 23 March at the New Testament Assembly, 7 Beechcroft Road, Tooting, SW17 7BU. It will be hosted by Pastor Andrew Wignall and will feature music by Godalming Community Gospel Choir.
One of the organisers, Rev Cassius Francis, from the Wesleyan Holiness Church said “For many, the deep trauma of losing loved ones during Covid is still very real. We need to come together, in our communities and as a nation, to acknowledge the lasting pain and create a legacy of compassion.”
The service will be an intergenerational event. There is an emphasis on the inclusion of children and young people in recognition that they are also still grieving many losses. The evening will feature activities to support people to reflect, including a roll call of names of those who have died during the pandemic.
CTE’s Principal Officer for Pentecostal, Charismatic and Multi-cultural Relations Min Shermara Fletcher-Hoyte is helping to plan the event and will be speaking at the service.
Alongside the Wesleyan Holiness Church and the New Testament Assembly, who are both Member Churches of CTE, the service is supported by key partners:
- Majonzi Fund
- The Ubele Initiative
- One People Commission – Evangelical Alliance
- Living Loss
- Churches Together in England
- Churches Together in Britain & Ireland
- JWB Virtual Ministry Assistance
- National Church Leaders Forum
- Marie Curie’s National Day of Reflection team
All are welcome – whatever their background, but this will be a Christian service with a specific focus on Black communities that have been disproportionately affected.
If you or a loved one are looking for support around bereavement, support will be provided on the evening by Living Loss, and we will provide information on where you can get help or support following the service.
Book a (free) ticket for the service.
If you are not able to attend in person this service will also be live-streamed on Wesleyan Church UK YouTube channel and on the church’s Facebook page.
The National Day of Reflection for 2024, which is coordinated by the Marie Curie charity, is being held on Sunday 3 March.