This afternoon I welcomed a group of clergy to parliament from churches in Cranham, Upminster and Ardleigh Green in order to build a stronger link between our office and the local faith community, enabling them to highlight to us any problems brought to them by parishioners.
We talked about the services that their churches offer, including a debt advice centre at St Luke's Cranham, the SOS dining club at All Saints' Cranham for lonely older people, and special church services for the learning disabled at Cranham Baptist Church.
It was wonderful to learn more about the excellent community work being carried out by faith leaders in our constituency, and my team ensured they were able to attend a special service held in St Mary Undercroft held by the Archbishop of Westminster.
I was grateful to be presented with a bible at the meeting, and hope to continue building strong relationships with those of all faiths and none across the constituency.