'Honouring the legacy of the Windrush generation' 

A series of events to mark the 75th anniversary of the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks have been organised, including a service and walk of witness

 
The 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.
 
A Service of Thanksgiving will take place in Southwark Cathedral at 2pm on Thursday 22 June.
 
The service will celebrate the significant role of the Windrush generation in shaping the cultural landscape of Britain.
 
A “Windrush 75: Walk of Witness” precedes the service. The walk starts at 12 noon in Waterloo Station, London and ends at Southwark Cathedral.
 
The walkers will make their way through south London, an area synonymous with the Windrush generation.
 
Several of the walkers will be carrying a floral replica of the Windrush ship’s anchor as a further way of remembering those original Caribbean passengers. The walk will also be filmed, and participants encouraged to talk about their reasons for being on the walk, and how the Windrush anniversary resonates with them.
 
The events are organised by a Windrush 75 planning committee, which brings together several denominations and para-church organisations, including Baptists Together, the Racial Justice Advocacy Forum, Churches Together in England, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, the Evangelical Alliance, the Methodists, URC, Quakers and the Church of England. 
 
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 Rt Rev Dr Rosemarie Mallett, Bishop of Croydon, said, ‘This anniversary offers a unique moment in the life of our nation when we can honour the legacy of the Windrush generation and hear how younger voices are building on their extraordinary heritage.

'We will be celebrating their achievements and expressing our deep gratitude – as well as acknowledging the struggles that they have faced.’
 

For more details about the service, and to register to attend, visit this Eventbrite link:
 
Baptists are welcome to participate in the Walk of Witness - if you wish to do so, contact Richard Reddie of Churches Together In England 

Image | Spirit of Windrush: a national service held at Westminster Abbey on 22 June, 2018 | Churches Together in England | ©  Dean & Chapter of Westminster