This morning I had the pleasure of meeting Reverend Vida Foday, who has pastoral responsibility for the Harold Wood Methodist Church as well as churches in Gidea Park and South Ockendon.
These three churches form part of the eleven-strong Romford Methodist Circuit. The Circuit's team of five ministers work with all areas of the community to help residents with their faith in an ever-changing world.
Vida recently returned to her birth nation of Ghana as part of a three-month sabbatical where she worked with the Methodist Church on issues related to care for the elderly.
I am keen to build strong links to Havering's faith communities, and it was a joy to get to know Vida and hear about her work to build a stronger support network for people in Harold Wood and beyond.