A special Windrush 75 service at Southwark Cathedral, remembering the struggle, celebrating the contribution and flourishing for the future
Thursday, 22 June is the 75th anniversary since the MV Empire Windrush brought people from the Caribbean to these shores. To mark this significant occasion, a national service of reflection is taking place on the day at 2-3.30pm at Southwark Cathedral in London, entitled ‘Windrush 75 – Remembering the struggle, celebrating the contribution and flourishing for the future: A Service of Thanksgiving’. Titilola and I here at OPC are delighted to be on the planning committee for this special event.
Docking into Tilbury Docks, Windrush brought more than 500 Caribbean men and women who responded to an invitation to come to a country in recovery from World War II. The service will celebrate the significant role of the Windrush Generation in shaping the cultural landscape of Britain.
Dionne Gravesande, chair of the Windrush 75 planning committee, said: “This momentous occasion brings together diverse communities, faiths, and organisations in a spirit of collaboration and partnership. The service presents a unique opportunity for people of all backgrounds to unite, celebrate the Windrush generation’s profound contributions, and reaffirm our commitment to a shared society where all people can flourish.”
The service will involve worship, music, reflections, readings and prayers and will touch on the themes that are relevant, namely the invitation, the recognition of struggle following the invitation, and the creative, unique and significant contributions made by the citizens and their descendants since then.
The Service of Thanksgiving will also be livestreamed on the Churches Together in Britain and Ireland YouTube channel. I hope you will join us, in person or online, for this important event.
Source: Evangelical Alliance