Dalgarno Way, West London
This 1930′s housing estate is located in a neglected little corner of North Kensington – north of the A40 Westway, near Wormwood Scrubs park, ‘trapped’ between two busy railway lines. The local community is densely populated and ethnically diverse. Local housing is provided by Housing Associations rather than the council. An excellent youth centre is present in the community but they could do with an influx of new volunteers.
A number of social challenges are faced in Dalgarno Way:
- Unemployment, worklessness and long-term dependency on benefits
- The estate also suffers a sense of isolation being somewhat cut off from the wider community
- There are very few community facilities on the estate – not even a basic local shop
- The homes have no gardens and there is little public open space in which ‘kids can be kids’
As of the summer of 2010 St Francis was a small neighbourhood church with a big history! With support from the Diocese of London to secure the future of the church, Holy Trinity Brompton assumed responsibility for St Francis, in order to re-invigorate the small but committed worshipping community through the ministry of a new leader and an Eden team.
As a church St Francis has grown steadily from 10 adults to an average of 35 adults and 10 youth and children. Most of those who come are from the local area. The church is playful, it takes mission seriously but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. It is hospitable, because ‘until everyone is at home no one is at home’ and responsible, we have the response-ability to make a difference in God’s world. The church is committed to local partnerships. St Francis congregation have done a whole church Art project with a local community arts project, made up a 1/3 of the cast of the local pantomime, as well as having a strong relationship with the community centre and local school. The church is a place of shelter from the harsh realities many of the members face day by day and it’s a place of empowerment supporting its members in growing in confidence to tackle interviews, find their voice, and grow in their faith.
Leading the church is Rev. Azariah France-Williams who has moved to the area with his wife Anna and young daughter Eliana.
Azariah, grew up in a difficult area of Leeds where he saw the church reach out to him and his mum creating family where there was none. He has a performing arts background and has broad missional experience including co- leading and managing a Creative Arts Team with Youth for Christ; discipling teenagers in South West Wales, mentoring disaffected youth in North Liverpool, plus Church consultation and training in mission and evangelism.
Anna’s background is in social justice, campaigning, highlighting global poverty and the ways we can respond. Anna has recently co-authored her first book on motherhood and hopes to use this resource to equip mums on and off the estate in developing their parenting skills.
Together they have a daughter Eliana and expect a second child soon.They are relishing the challenge and excited about those God will call to St Francis and Eden to develop outreach where a little support, makes a big difference.
Graham Stevenson is the Team Leader of Eden Dalgarno having moved to the estate with his wife June. Also on the Eden team are Chris, Lizzie, Steve and Rachel. Are you being called to join them?
As you will already have gathered Eden is called to the tough places, moving into the neighbourhood where others seek to move out, which is why we’ve included an outline of the needs of the estate.
But we’ve focussed mainly on our Partner church here because we firmly believe that the local church is the hope of the world and a key expression of God’s plan as he reveals his love to us.
However, there is a great deal more to say about the work of the Eden team, the people involved there, and the mission to the estate through the program / activity that has developed.
For further info contact either: dalgarno@eden-network.org
or, Regional Director, Daniel Haigh: london@eden-network.org
