London: 'Coming Home' service at St Martin in the Fields

Choir With No Name Image ICN/JS

'Coming Home' - the annual Service of Commemoration for people who have been homeless, who have died in London in the past year, took place at a packed St Martin in the Fields, Trafalgar Square on Thursday. In this very touching service, the names of 129 people were carefully read out - another 64 people who died were not named. The congregation included friends and relatives of the deceased as well staff and volunteers of the various homeless charities.

Organised by St Martin in the Fields, The Connection at St Martin's, Housing Justice and the Museum of Homelessness, the service began with Simon and Garfunkel's song 'Homeward Bound, played by Alistair Murray, John Deacon and Chris Bluemel.

In his introduction, Rev Richard Carter pointed out that these people were originally not homeless. "They came to London looking for a home" he said.

Rev Carter pointed out that the average age of death for a homeless person in the UK now is 45 for men and 43 for women - compared to the national averages of 79 and 83, respectively.

Six London boroughs rank among the top 14 areas in the UK for homelessness-related deaths. One Londoner is forced into homelessness every eight and a half minutes.

After a rousing rendition of the hymn - Let us Build a House, Lenus Walker read the poem Search for Home (from Rev Richard Carter's book The City is My Monastery.) There followed a series of readings of names of the dead - in between verses of Homeward Bound.

Dr Dana Beale from Great Chapel Street Medical Centre read the first set of names. Dr Natalie Miller from the Centre, then gave a short tribute to John Campbell, a very forthright individual - "never one to make a fuss."

The second set was read by Gill Taylor from Museum of Homelessness. Rev Richard Carter then paid tribute to Don Pollard, whose artwork was on the cover of the service booklet: "a brilliant artist, loyal friend for the last 18 years ... he will be sorely missed."

Ros Brunwin, from the Connection at St Martins read the third set of names. Tilly Abu-Hableh paid tribute to Darren Haley - "a person who was always considerate and kind, always helped others."

The fourth set of names was read by Matt Turtle from the Museum of Homelessness. His colleague Gary Birdsall paid tribute to Andy Palfreymann, known as the 'Dapper Snapper.' "a photographer - full of amazing ideas...He had several exhibitions... When he eventually got a flat he decorated it beautifully."

The final set of names, read by Bonnie Williams, chief executive Housing Justice, was of people who had worked or volunteered with the homeless.

Rev Rob Wickham from the Church Urban Fund chair of House Justice, then gave a reflection on the importance of names...."a fundamental part of our identity and sense of self.. Its the first thing one remembers when they think of any person..."

We then took part in the Act of Remembrance, each person coming up one by one silently to receive a card with the name of a person who died homeless in the last year. We've been asked to keep that card and remember that person in our thoughts and prayers all year. As we filed up, Gavin Bryers and the Choir With No Name and Streetwise Opera sang the anthem 'Jesus' blood never failed me yet.'

We settled back in our places to the Choir with no Name singing 'Shallow from a Star is Born' by Lady Gaga.

Rev Dr Sam Wells Vicar of St Martin in the Fields led the final prayers. Streetwise Opera sang the Flower Duet by Delibe, and the congregation joined in the final hymn And Did those Feet in Ancient Times.

All present were invited to lunch and refreshments in the St Martin's Crypt.

Watch the service on Youtube: https://stmartins.digital/coming-home-a-service-of-commemoration-07-11/

and Facebook: www.facebook.com/stmartininthefields/videos/540890305461021

St Martin in the Fields is one of the most famous churches in London. Besides regular services, it has a wonderful programme of concerts, a Crypt Cafe, gift shop and lecture series. At its day centre, The Connection at St Martins, it offers advice and support for people who are rough sleeping, connecting each person with skilled staff who understand the complexity of their situation and who listen, then help. See: www.connection-at-stmartins.org.uk/