On Good Friday the CCF and Zac Goldsmith attended a family service at All Souls Langham Place, went on a Walk of Witness in Westminster, and visited The Salvation Army’s No.10 Homeless drop-in centre.
The CCF’s Executive Director Gareth Wallace said:
“I was delighted to accompany Zac to church on Good Friday. It was fantastic to see such lively examples of Christian community on one of the most important days in the Christian calendar. All Souls excelled itself with a clear Good Friday message, accompanied by outstanding musical worship. The sun shone favourably on our Westminster Walk of Witness where we worshipped together with Methodists, Anglicans and Catholics."
The day out with Zac began with an uplifting time of worship and prayer at All Souls Church, where Trevor Pearce delivered a clever and thought-provoking sermon, centering on the theme of repetance by analysing the different reactions of the witneses to Jesus's crucifixion.
In an interview with Premier Christian Radio’s Aaron James after the service at All Souls, Zac said:
“The day is special, and the celebration and reflection on what today means is special, not just for Christians but for people across the board. It marks something enormously symbolic, world-changing. It's a day of remembering, it's a day of hope, it's a day of forgiveness. It really could not be more important as a symbol for people across all our various communities. The story of Jesus is not a story that is relevant only to Christians. I think anyone, no matter where they come from, no matter their background, has to recognise the lessons and the life that Jesus led - it's sort of unavoidable."
We then accompanied Zac on a Walk of Witness organised by Churches Together in Westminster. We joined hundreds of Christians in a procession from Methodist Central Hall, to Westminster Cathedral, concluding at Westminster Abbey. At each stop we sang hymns, prayed and listened to Bible readings on the Passion of Christ. Powerful reflections on the meaning of the crucifixion were given by the Venerable Andrew Tremlett, Sub-Dean of Westminster Abbey-, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, and the Reverend Tony Miles, Deputy Superintendent Minister of Method Central Hall.
Following the procession Zac spoke to Ruth Gledhill of Christian Today:
He said the big society is alive and well: "One of its strongest expressions is in the Christian organisations across the capital. I see it in my constituency. Some of the best work is being done by Christian organisations."
The final stop of the day was the No.10 drop-in centre behind The Salvation Army’s Regent Hall on Oxford Street. The drop-in runs throughout the week – providing a warm meal, support and a safe space for vulnerable people and rough sleepers in Central London.
Zac acknowledged that Christians contributes "immeasurably" to London by helping the homeless and the vulnerable. He said:
"Salvation Army is a really valuable, really extraordinary organisation. In my own constituency, Richmond Park and North Kingston, all the most valuable, all the most important and meaningful work that I'm involved in, relating to the homeless for example, relating to addiction, is conducted by people associated with the Christian church. I work very closely with an organisation called the Vineyard, which is so successful it draws people in from other boroughs! If I'm elected mayor, I will regard it as my duty to make sure people aren't left behind."
Commenting on the issue of homelessness in London, he said:
"London is a very prosperous and very wealthy city, one of the most successful cities in the world, probably the most important city in the world. It is offensive and wrong that there are so many people sleeping rough in London. It's just not something that sits easily with anyone."
As we left Oxford Circus amidst the bank holiday bustle, we felt both uplifted and encouraged that Churches and the Christian community have such a positive and faithful witness this and on every Good Friday.