Posted: 5 December 2024
North Lincolnshire recently came together to celebrate a vibrant and impactful Interfaith Week, centred on the theme: ‘Love of God, Love of Neighbour.’ The event, organised by the University Campus North Lincolnshire Interfaith Group ‘United: Strength in Diversity’, brought together faith leaders, schools, local councillors, the North Lincolnshire Mayor, community members, and partners, such as Humberside Police, showcased the power of unity, dialogue, and understanding in fostering community cohesion.
The week began with a Civic Prayer Breakfast led by Pastor Tom MacDonald, Vice-Chair of the North Lincolnshire Multi-Faith Forum. Faith leaders, including Imam Naveed, Humberside Police Inspector Tom Stevens, and Council Leader Cllr Rob Waltham MBE, shared inspiring messages on unity and compassion.
A pivotal moment followed as the Faith Covenant was signed by Cllr Rob Waltham MBE, Chief Executive Alison Barker, and Abid Khan, Chairperson of the North Lincolnshire Multi-Faith Forum. This reaffirmed the council’s commitment to welcoming the contributions of faith-based organizations in community services.
Tuesday saw an Interfaith Walk that visited four places of worship – St George’s Church Crosby, the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple, Holy Souls Catholic Church, and Scunthorpe Central Mosque. At each stop, faith leaders shared insights on their beliefs and the universal theme of loving one’s neighbour.
Reflections from young participants underscored the walk’s success:
- “I learned that most religions believe in the same God, but just see God in different ways.”
- “All religions are actually quite together, even though we might sometimes only see their differences.”
- “I loved seeing the amazing stained-glass windows.”
- “The food at the mosque and Sikh Gurdwara was amazing!”
Wednesday was a day of connection and creativity at St Lawrence’s Academy. The Interfaith Cafe welcomed visitors with art displays created by children from local schools, showcasing the theme of the week. Rev. Julie Miles and students from the academy facilitated a warm, engaging atmosphere.
The day concluded with an Interfaith Football Match, emphasising the unifying power of teamwork and sportsmanship.
On Friday, over 47 students gathered at the UCNL Chambers for a youth-led debate exploring the week’s theme. Schools represented included Sir John Nelthorpe School, The St Lawrence Academy, and several local primary schools.
Jeanette Taylor, Lead Officer for SACRE, praised the insightful contributions from students:
“One pupil said it means love of family, friends, and people we know and don’t know”. Another said, “it’s a smile—small actions make the biggest impact.”
The debate featured thoughtful questions about prayer, the nature of God, and the essence of goodness, sparking meaningful dialogue among youth and faith leaders. Each participant pledged to commit an act of kindness, reinforcing the week’s message of compassion.
The week concluded on Sunday with the North Lincolnshire Mayor and local officials attending Guru Nanak’s Birthday Celebration at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe. This event highlighted the spirit of unity and diversity at the heart of Interfaith Week.
Interfaith Week was a resounding success, celebrating North Lincolnshire’s rich diversity and fostering stronger bonds within the community. It was a powerful reminder that, despite differences, shared values like love, kindness, and respect unite us all.
As the week closed, participants left with a renewed commitment to building bridges of understanding and compassion – one act of kindness at a time.