Trinity Church in Abingdon celebrated Black History Month today with a programme of talks, storytelling, music and conversation.

The event featured a talk by Mr Bevan Powell MBE on the history of Black History Month.

This was followed by absorbing storytelling from Mr Joseph Kingsley Nyinah.

There was also a conversation with the Rt Hon Lord Boateng, who many people of my age will remember as Paul Boateng, a Labour Cabinet minister and Britain’s first Black Cabinet minister.

He made the point that no one political party has a monopoly on advancing racial justice.

One example is the repeal in 1981 of the so-called ‘sus’ law, a provision of the Vagrancy Act 1824 that gave police powers to arrest people suspected of intending to commit certain offences. It was used disproportionately against Black men and contributed to tensions between Black communities and the police.

The provision was repealed under Margaret Thatcher’s Conservative government, following a campaign involving Black community activists and politicians from across the political spectrum, including Lord Boateng himself.

Lord Boateng went on to argue that political campaigning is just as important as what politicians do once in office in bringing about positive change in society. Reflecting on the current political climate, in which many people have become disenchanted with politics, he said Christians should be campaigning for their core values: peace, justice and care for creation.

The programme also included a musical performance by three members of the Methodist Zimbabwe Fellowship Choir.

The event was introduced by the Revd Georgina Bondzi-Simpson, minister of Trinity and All Saints Church, with a short service led by the Revd Sonia Hicks.

Afterwards, many of those attending went through to the church hall to enjoy African and Caribbean food, including jerk chicken, fried plantain, salt fish fritters and sea bass in coconut cream. There were plenty of other dishes, too, many of which I was trying for the first time and couldn’t name.

Guests included the Mayor of Abingdon, Cllr Andrew Skinner, and his wife, along with Cllr Rawda Jehanli, last year’s Mayor.

Abingdon marked the 850th anniversary celebrations of St Edmund of Abingdon with a packed programme of activities across the Market Place, churches, and St Ethelwold’s House. The day began with prayers at Christ Church before a procession set off through the town.

The procession first stopped at Our Lady and St Edmund Church, where participants were welcomed by Father Jamie. There they sang St Edmund’s Hymn and shared a prayer dedicated to the town’s famous saint.

The procession then continued to St Nicolas Church.

Outside, they were greeted by a group of friendly Vikings who had set up on the Market Place for the day.

The early medieval re-enactors spent the day demonstrating crafts, sharing aspects of medieval life, and showing visitors examples of weapons and equipment.

There were talks throughout the day, including one on the life and legacy of St Edmund by Will Donaldson, former chaplain of St Edmund Hall, Oxford.

Guided walks also took place. This one was the Lost Abbey Walk, led by Dr Philip Kenrick.

Music could be heard throughout the town during the day on the Market Place, with performances by different groups, alongside a piano concert at St Michael’s Church given by Marcus Gabriel Ecsegby.

There was also a talk on medieval cakes, while cakes were on sale in the Market Place. In the museum undercroft there was a wonderful spread of food — including St Edmund’s Anniversary Ale brewed by Loose Cannon Brewery of Abingdon.

The Abingdon Traditional Morris Dancers also performed and appeared to be enjoying the food and St Edmund’s ale.

At St Helen’s Church there was gentler music through the day, art activities, and an exhibition of photographs by Martin Warnickier. There was a newly painted icon of St Edmund on display. That can also be seen tomorrow afternoon at St Helen’s from 12:00 – 4:00 pm.

Well done to Sally Mears and others for organising this day. There is still a ceilidh at St Michael’s Church this evening at 7 pm, and a Choral Evensong for St Edmund at St Helen’s Church at 5:30 pm on Sunday.

Members from churches across Abingdon came together this Good Friday for a walk of witness, following a cross from the Library to the Market Place.

There, they gathered to sing hymns — There is a Green Hill, When I Survey the Wondrous Cross, and Amazing Grace — and to hear a reading of the Crucifixion of Jesus from Matthew’s Gospel. The Salvation Army band played, and Revd Carol Hamilton-Foyn addressed the crowd.

This Easter Sunday, there is an invitation to celebrate with Christians across Abingdon. Services are taking place at the following churches which are members of the Church in Abingdon:

Abingdon Baptist Church (OX14 5AG)
10.30 am — Easter Sunday All-Age Service, including Communion

Abingdon Community Church (Northcourt Community Centre, OX14 1NS)
10.30 am — All-Age Interactive Service: activities, crafts, short talk, and sung worship

Abingdon Vineyard Church (Preston Road Community Centre, OX14 5NR)
10.30 am — Easter Service

All Saints Methodist Church (OX14 2AQ)
10.30 am — Morning Service and Communion

Christ Church (Northcourt Road / Long Furlong Primary School)
8.00 am — BCP Communion (Northcourt Road, OX14 1PL)
10.00 am — Holy Communion (Long Furlong, OX14 1XP)
10.30 am — Holy Communion (Northcourt Road)
6.30 pm — Evening Service with Baptisms (Northcourt Road)

Our Lady and St Edmund RC Church (OX14 3PL)
Mass: 8.00 am, 9.30 am, and 11.30 am

Peachcroft Christian Centre (OX14 2RT)
10.00 am — Easter Celebration for All

Pearly Gates Church (Fitzharrys School, OX14 1NP)
10.30 am — Resurrection Service, followed by refreshments

Salvation Army (OX14 5BL)
10.30 am — Easter Service

St Helen’s Church (OX14 5BS)
8.00 am — Holy Communion (Book of Common Prayer) with hymns
10.30 am — Festival Eucharist of the Resurrection with junior crafts and an Easter egg hunt

St Michael and All Angels’ Church (OX14 1DB)
9.30 am — Sung Mass of the Resurrection

St Nicolas’ Church (OX14 3NZ)
11.15 am — Holy Communion and Blessing of the Paschal Candle

Trinity Church (OX14 1DB)
10.30 am — Morning Service and Communion

Saint David’s Day was celebrated today, 1 March. In Abingdon, Helen and Douglas House marked the day with a red-and-white display and daffodils.

At Trinity Church there were displays of daffodils outside the building, inside the building, and some people wore daffodils.

Three Welsh hymn tunes were sung (with English words). The story was told of Saint David’s last sermon. People had heard that he was dying and came from far and wide, expecting something momentous. Tradition says that Saint David had a surprisingly simple message:

Brothers and sisters,
be joyful.
Keep your faith and your creed.
And do the little things
that you have seen and heard me do.