Tradition and worship style

St Edmund’s is generally Liberal Catholic in outlook, with a central style of worship.

Our emphasis is on proclaiming the saving victory of God’s love for all without condition.

We seek to be an open, welcoming and inclusive church. We allow divorced persons to be married in church, and do not impose conditions on those who come seeking to have their children baptised. The Chingford Anglican Churches are supportive of those in gay and lesbian relationships and specifically join together for a service once a year to celebrate them.

Admission to Holy Communion

You may receive communion at St Edmund's, if

you are a member of the Church of England and have been confirmed by a bishop (or receive communion in your own church)

you are a baptised member of another church (which subscribes to the doctrine of the Holy Trinity) and would normally receive communion in your church

Links with other churches and faith communities

The four parishes covering the E4 postcode are part of an informal group – retaining their separate identities but sharing resources and working together as appropriate; in addition to us, they are

The Parish of Chingford – with separate congregations at Chingford Parish Church (St Peter and Paul) and Chingford Old Church 

The Parish of Saint Anne, Chingford

The Parish of All Saints, Highams  Park, Hale End

On a quarterly basis, clergy and readers in the group swap churches for one Sunday service, and also the clergy and churchwardens from all four parishes meet. We also join together for our annual confirmation service, summer pilgrimage, and occasional social events. The clergy also meet together in chapter for prayer and support.

We are also part of the group Churches Together in South Chingford and Chapel End; in addition to us, the other members of this group are

South Chingford Methodist Church

South Chingford Congregational Church 

Church of Christ the King, Walthamstow and South Chingford (Roman Catholic) 

The Parish Church of Saint John, Walthamstow (Anglican)

Joint services are held during the year, particularly during the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, on Women’s World Day of Prayer, and during One World Week.

Among our Christian neighbours, St Edmund’s works closest with South Chingford Methodist Church, particularly following the Anglican-Methodist Covenant. Once a quarter, each church takes it in turn to join the other’s congregation at the main act of worship on Sunday morning – cancelling its own service.