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NATIONAL WINDRUSH 75th ANNIVERSARY SERVICE

Segment 1 - Remembering: the Struggle:

Opening music – By the rivers of Babylon (Kudos Gospel Choir)

Bible Reading: Psalm 137, read by Mrs Shirley Campbell, High Cross United Reformed Church, Tottenham

By the waters of Babylon we sat down and wept,

when we remembered Zion.

As for our lyres, we hung them up

on the willows that grow in that land.

For there our captors asked for a song,

our tormentors called for mirth:

‘Sing us one of the songs of Zion.’

How shall we sing the Lord’s song

in a strange land?

If I forget you, O Jerusalem,

let my right hand forget its skill.

Remember, O Lord, against the people of Edom

the day of Jerusalem,

how they said, ‘Down with it,

down with it, even to the ground.’

O daughter of Babylon, doomed to destruction,

happy the one who repays you

for all you have done to us.

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Welcome: Bishop Rosemarie Mallett

Those who arrived in 1948 were ‘migrants’ only in the sense that they were travelling from one part of the British Empire to the Metropolis, and were doing so with a myriad of aims. For some, it was to rebuild a war-torn Britain – the Motherland – a country that a few had fought to defend during the Second World War. Some joined the newly established NHS and others found work on London Transport and in other areas of industries. However, it would be true to say that they didn’t all face a warm welcome. Yet, although most struggled due to the racism and prejudice in Britain at that time, many of these trailblazers thrived by the grace of God, sheer hard work, and their Caribbean resilience.

In this service, we pay homage to the Windrush Generation who responded to an invitation with hopes and dreams. We admire the faith, courage, and tenacity of this generation, which is also seen in their descendants, many of whom continue to experience struggles today.Ìý Our service begins with the hymn ‘Will your anchor hold’ after which we’ll hear words of welcome from The Right Rev’d Christopher Chessun Bishop of Southwark and The Most Rev’d Howard Gregory Archbishop of the Province of the West Indies

Testimony: Shane Bowes will reflect on the life story of his grandfather, Revd. Carmel Jones,

MUSIC – Thank You - Sharlene Monique with Noel Robinson

Reflection –The Rev’d Arlington W. Trotman, Former Secretary of the CTBI Churches’ Commission for Racial Justice

MUSIC – Total Praise – Kudos Gospel Choir

Prayer: The Rev’d Les Isaac OBE President of the Ascension Trust Honorary Ecumenical Canon of Southwark Cathedral

Most merciful God, We give you thanks that the Windrush generation has been such a blessing to Britain over successive years.

We consider their faith, and how this maintained so many in the face of the racism they encountered.

And we think of the Church, which too often failed to show the love of Christ to those from the Windrush generation who needed it.

We pray that this anniversary will be a moment for reflection, and see a real commitment to standing up for justice, equity and dignity, and against anything that denies the image of God in human beings. This we ask in Jesus’ name. All Amen.

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ÌýSegment 2 - Celebrating the contribution:

Bible Reading: Revelation 7:9-14 read byÌý Dr Dulcie Dixon-McKenzie, Centre for Black Theology, The Queen’s Foundation, Birmingham

After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could

count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages,

standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with

palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying,

‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the

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And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and

the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne

and worshipped God, singing,

‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom

and thanksgiving and honour

and power and might

be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’

Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed

in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are

the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have

come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made

them white in the blood of the Lamb.

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Reflection: Shaniqua Benjamin – Poet Laureate of Croydon

MUSIC: Count Your Blessings - Kudos Gospel choir

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Sermonette – Rt Revd Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon

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Prayer: The Rev’d Celia Apeagyei-Collins, National Church Leaders Forum

Boundless God,

In whom there are no limits,

We lift our voices to celebrate...

All that has been offered,

All that has been achieved,

And all that has been enabled

By the Windrush generation –

Through the sweat of their brows,

The inspiration of their minds,

And the strength of their spirit.

We celebrate and give thanks,

Praying your continued blessing -

Upon them,

And the footprints they leave behind.

All Amen.

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ÌýSegment 3 - Flourishing for the future

MUSIC – Cry Sometimes Still Shadey, MOBO Award winner

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Prayer: Noah Reddie, Undergraduate in Theology & Religion, The University of Durham

Father God, we give thanks for this opportunity to gather in your presence,

To look to the future of the Windrush generation and their offspring

who have toiled so hard over the last 75 years.

We pray that the future will hold better conditions, recognition,

and appreciation of their impact in this country than ever shown

before.

May you continue to guide them from this time forth and forever more.

All Amen.

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Blessing: The Right Rev’d Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon

The Lord be with you

All and also with you.

Journey from this place enfolded in the grace of God.

Be diligent in the works of the Living Lord Jesus.

Minister to the world with the power of the Holy Spirit.

Travel well with the light and hope of salvation.

Be secure in the promise of a joyful homecoming.

And the blessing of God Almighty

The Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

Be among you and remain with you always.

All AmenÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌýÌý

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CLOSING MUSIC – The Blessing – Kudos Gospel Choir

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