Lord, have mercy

The attack happened just outside St James's School (Alexis St site) and for several days the area was cordoned  off by the police.

Now we have heard the sad news from the Evening Standard that Joshua Boadu has died after his family have been keeping an 11 day vigil.

Our hearts go out to his family as we remember them in prayer.

Earlier this week I spoke to the children about this at assembly, with the attack having been so near to the school.

Poignantly our theme, in our cycle of readings for assembly, was 'Love One Another' and in particular  Jesus's New Commandment to 'love one another as I love you'.

On this sad day for Bermondsey, and for Joshua's family in particular, let's pray for that Commandment to be heard and heeded on the streets of our City and for this appalling epidemic of knife crime to come to an end. Lord, have mercy.

Tributes to Joshua at the Blue. Photo from Southwark News