Retirement of Br Edwin Quildan

Br Edwin Quildan retired from congregation ministry in September after many years of service.

Br Edwin was an active member of the Hornsey congregation for several years, and after attending a lay training course in the Eastern District, he started leading worship and felt a call to ordained ministry.

Br Edwin worked for London Underground at that time, so he trained part-time for the ministry at Oakhill College between 1999 and 2002 and became a non-stipendiary minister, initially assisting at Bedford Queen's Park and Woodford Halse before being ordained by Br Geoffrey Birtill in 2003. He then served as assistant minister in Harlesden, where Sr Beth Torkington consecrated him as presbyter in 2007. In 2011, he was called to Fetter Lane.

Following retirement from his management role with London Underground in 2018, Br Edwin became a stipendiary minister, serving the Harlesden and Bedford Queen’s Park congregations. In 2024, after a reorganisation of the ministers in the Eastern District, including his sisters Sr Christine Emanuel and Sr Susan Quildan-Foreman, he remained at Harlesden but swapped Bedford Queen’s Park for Fetter Lane, where he works as part of a team ministry with Br Michael Newman.

In 2022, Br Edwin was elected to serve as a part-time Provincial Board member. His composed demeanour and systematic approach have been highly valued by fellow Board members. Additionally, in 2023, he represented the British Province as a delegate at the Unity Synod held in South Africa. He has also served on the committee of the Provincial Men’s Fellowship.

Although Br Edwin is retiring from his congregation ministry, he will maintain his role as a part-time Provincial Board member, having been elected until the Synod in 2026. He will also continue to support the Eastern District and occasionally lead services. The entire province extends its gratitude to Br Edwin for his 23 years of dedicated ministerial service and conveys best wishes for his retirement.

Br Michael Newman

Provincial Board

Revd Edwin Quildan has been with us at Harlesden full-time since 2018, and during these years, he has made a profound and lasting impact on our congregation in many ways.

He has served as a faithful and dedicated Minister, never hesitating to go above and beyond the call of duty. There was nothing he wouldn’t help with – whether it was a spiritual matter or something as practical as fixing a leaking toilet. If he couldn’t solve the problem himself, he would find someone who could. His willingness to roll up his sleeves and get involved in every aspect of church life made him our jack of all trades.

Br Edwin never complained. He was a true shepherd to his flock, always looking out for every member and ensuring that no one was left behind. Even when members were unable to attend services, he made sure they received a recording of the month’s message – demonstrating his care and commitment to keeping everyone spiritually connected.

We are reminded of Galatians 5:22-23, which tells us: ‘But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.’ These words beautifully reflect the character and ministry of Revd Edwin Quildan.

Harlesden will miss him dearly. Yet, as the Bible teaches us, to everything there is a season. This season of Br Edwin’s journey with us is drawing to a close, and we are filled with both gratitude and sadness as we say goodbye.

With full hearts, we say: Well, done, good and faithful servant.

Sr Heather Anderson

Harlesden