I was delighted when the Holy Trinity Church on Clapham Common agreed to hold the civic service for this years Mayor of Lambeth.
I was joined by nine Mayors from other London Boroughs, Councillors, family, friends and guests from across the borough.
Mayor of Lambeth with guests following the civic service
The service was led by the rector of Clapham, Canon David Isherwood with the sermon read by the Archdeacon of Lambeth the Venerable Christopher Skilton.
The focus of the service was my three charities Trinity Hospice, Clapham Youth Centre and Lambeth Women’s Aid.
Following a procession to the congregation singing ‘Praise, my soul, the King of Heaven’ we were welcomed by Canon David Isherwood.
The first reading was John 4:712 which was read by Rev Caroline Clarke who is lead spiritual care advisor at Trinity Hospice which was the first of my charities that was represented at the service.
Jessie Sirr, who is a student at Lambeth college, then sang I dreamed a dream by Alain Boublil and was followed by the leader of Lambeth Council Councillor Steve Reed who read an extract from Nelson Mandela’s The Long Road Home.
Past Mayor Councillor Andrew Gibson read Luke 18:15-17 and Charles Young talked about the work of Clapham Youth Centre.
Following the Archdeacon’s sermon which was focused on the importance of charity, we sang Jerusalem a Hymn taken from the words of a poem by William Blake who had lived in Lambeth.
Councillor Daniel Fitzpatrick read If by Rudyard Kipling followed by Councillor Mark Bennett who read Psalm 139:13-18 with Sukhi Jheeta talking about the work of Lambeth Women’s Aid.
I gave a short speech about my time as Mayor and how much I appreciation I have for those in our community who give their time selflessly for others.
Keith George then sang ‘This little light of Mine’ by Harry Dixon Loes, and was soon joined by the congregation.
I then led the visiting Mayors out of the church as the congregation sang ‘O Jesus, I have promised’. After the service it was great to meet everyone as we enjoyed refreshments which were kindly provided by Sun Star Group.
