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British church opens Book of Remembrance for Jade Goody

British reality-TV star Jade Goody's funeral will take place at a church near her home in Essex, southeast England. Goody died March 22 after a battle with cervical cancer, reports Michael Ireland, chief correspondent, ASSIST News Service.

The funeral for Jade Goody will take place at St John the Baptist Church in Buckhurst Hill, Essex, on April 4. The church where Jade Goody's funeral is to be held has opened a book of remembrance for the late reality TV star, according to Charles Boyd writing for www.christiantoday.com.

The book of remembrance will be opened Thursday for visitors to leave messages. The church is also opening its doors to visitors who wish to spend time in quiet reflection or prayer, and leave flowers or light a candle in Goody's memory.

The funeral will be led by the Rev Corinne Brixton, Associate Minister at St John’s Church, the same priest who baptized Goody and her two sons, five-year-old Bobby and four-year-old Freddie, at the Royal Marsden Hospital in Chelsea earlier in the month.

Goody made the decision to be baptized along with her sons soon after she was told by doctors that her cancer was terminal. She said she wanted her sons to know that she would be looking down on them from Heaven.

Rev Brixton has said: "The Christian baptism that Jade and the boys received is a declaration that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that He died and rose again, not just for the whole world but for each one of us personally, so that we can be forgiven and receive new life.

"Jade wanted her sons to know Jesus for themselves, and we certainly hope and pray that not only the boys, but all who are grieving the loss of Jade will find comfort in Jesus and His words to us.

"Jade’s step of being baptized prompts us to see God’s amazing love for each one of us. It is never too late for anyone to turn to Jesus and to reach out to him as the one who is able to save us."

Rev Brixton said that Goody and her family were in the prayers of the church family at St John’s as well as "many others throughout the country who have been touched by her illness and death."

"We pray that the funeral service will bring comfort and hope,” she said.

The church will be open every day between 9am and 6pm prior to the funeral and in the days following for members of the public to write their messages in the book of remembrance. The book will later be presented to Goody's family.

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TAGS: United Kingdom Book of Remembrance Jade Goody cervical cancer Christian baptism

[03/27/2009]

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