St John the Baptist Church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, will open a book of remembrance for the late Jade Goody tomorrow, March 26. Jade’s funeral service will be held on Saturday, April 4 at the church.
Visitors to the church will be able to leave a message in the book and will have an opportunity for quiet reflection and prayer, and the lighting of a candle. Floral tributes can be left inside the church.
The Revd Corinne Brixton, Associate Minister at St John’s Church, who will take the funeral service, baptised Jade and her sons, Bobby and Freddie, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea on March 7.
Corinne Brixton has said: “The Christian baptism that Jade and the boys received is a declaration that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he died and rose again, not just for the whole world but for each one of us personally, so that we can be forgiven and receive new life.
“Jade wanted her sons to know Jesus for themselves, and we certainly hope and pray that not only the boys, but all who are grieving the loss of Jade will find comfort in Jesus and his words to us.
“Jade’s step of being baptised prompts us to see God’s amazing love for each one of us. It is never too late for anyone to turn to Jesus and to reach out to him as the one who is able to save us.
“Jade and her family are in the prayers not only of the church family at St John’s, but many others throughout the country who have been touched by her illness and death. We pray that the funeral service will bring comfort and hope.”
The funeral will be held at St John the Baptist Church, Buckhurst Hill, on April 4 at 12 noon.
The church will be open to the public between 9 am and 6 pm every day before and after the funeral for messages to be written in the book of remembrance. The book will be presented to Jade’s family.
Floral tributes may be left in a specially designated area within the church. These will be transferred later to a place set aside in the churchyard.
The address of St John the Baptist Church is High Road, Buckhurst Hill, Essex IG9 5RX
Visit the church website: www.sjbh.org.uk
Contact Press Office – 01245 294424