Community togetherness can overcome COVID-19

Chairman of Chigwell Row Residents Association, Wilson Chowdhry, met with Reverend Paula Preston, of All Saints Church, Romford Road this morning to promote a community prayer and message wall.

The outer wall of the church has already been decorated with a number of prayers for our community, written by the congregation of the church.  Reverend Paula will today be adding further cloths pinned by a ribbon and is inviting people from the community to add their messages and prayer to the church wall for the duration of the current COVID-19 pandemic.

It is hoped that the wall will become a place for the community to share messages of solidarity, share condolences if required, to update people on local matters and much more.  We hope it will continue to sustain a sense of community once action against COVID-19 reaches it peak.

Please feel free to bring along sharpies and add messages to the empty cloths hanging from the community ribbon along the outer wall of All saints.  Alternatively you can attach messages via other means that does not damage church property.

Reverend Paula, said:

"Chigwell Row continues to be a caring neighbourhood.  

"If you would like to contact me for support or to ask me to pray about anything connected with Covid-19, or any other matter, please do get in touch.

All Saints Church will remain  open until told to shut by the Government after which an emergency plan will be put in place that will include: on-line services, connection by telephone and written sermons posted to those who want them.

All Saints church will also be partnering with Chigwell Row Residents Association on a telephone support group for +70 year olds who have chosen to go into self-isolation.  Volunteers associated with both groups will be DBS checked and reference checked as part of our safeguarding process.  The type of services people can expect will include; Shopping errands, posting, walking dogs, telephone support and counselling and any other non-contact support.  Although our priority group will be those over 70 years of age, we will of course offer help to others who are desperately in need after an assessment of their situation.

Wilson Chowdhry, Chairman of the CRRA, said:

"Whatever happens in the next few months, we must try and remember those around us.  

"There are many who will be vulnerable and with a little help we can make a big difference.

"Self-isolation is a necessary drastic measure and the prayer wall provides a chance for us to keep a sense of community through our personal struggles - so please do use it.

"The large number of volunteers we have been able to amass to support those most in need is remarkable.

"We give thanks to all those who have chosen to help."

With the help of the British Pakistani Christian Association, we have a 24 hour call centre number, which we share with you.

For assistance or help please call 020 8500 1192 (leave a message if busy a response will be returned within an hour, or text or whats app to 07854972343.