Names of the homeless and formerly homeless people who have died over the last year in London were read out at the Annual Service of Commemoration at St Martin’s in the Fields last Thursday. This year there were over 200 names, including many from Eastern Europe.
The service is organised by the Connection at St Martins and Housing Justice annually during remembrance week. It brings together the agencies and churches working to assist people who are homeless and vulnerable, as well as homeless people themselves, to remember those who have died over the year, whether still on the streets, in hostels or in their own accommodation. Volunteers and staff who have died are also commemorated.
Rev Richard Carter, of St Martin’s in the Fields, led the service and read out the first set of names. Also reading out names were Jo Nurse of the Simon Community, Bandi Mbubi of the Manna Centre and Kaz Mayes of the Connection at St Martins. Following the names each reader gave a short personal reflection on the life of someone they knew who had died, remembering and paying respect to people with often troubled and shortened lives.
All who were present were then invited to write a name on leaves to attach to a hand painted vine, representing the Scripture “I am the vine you are the branches”. The vine with all the names was then lifted up in front of the altar.
The vine was painted by artistic director Rosemary Cockayne and a team of volunteers from her art group at Chelsea Methodist Church
Musical contributions were made by The Choir with No Name and Streetwise Opera, including the hymn “Dear Lord and Father of mankind”, “Bridge over Troubled Water” and “There’s a place for us” from Westside story. Other music was provided by a trio leading the congregation in Taize singing, and during the symbolic lifting up of the vine.
Poems, prayers and the gospel reading were given by people representing many of the different churches and agencies working to help homeless people in London, including Major Valerie Mercer of The Salvation Army.
