A message of hope and solidarity for Inter-Faith Week

At the start of Inter Faith Week, the Revd Sonia Hicks and Barbara Easton, President and Vice-President of the Methodist Conference,  send a letter of greetings to faith communities through the Inter-Faith Network on behalf of the Methodist Church:

Warm greetings to you on behalf of the Methodist Church in this 2021 Inter-Faith Week.

May this Inter-Faith Week be an opportunity for all to share their message of hope and solidarity against the background of the Covid-19 pandemic, the sadness of the loss of dear ones, the struggles to cope with the economic consequences of repeated lockdowns, and in more medium and long terms, the threat of environmental crisis.

At the core of every religious experience, there is a flame of hope in God and in humanity. In this Inter-faith Week, we celebrate the varieties of ways in which this flame is kindled and maintained by the means of our religious practices. It is significant that we take time to meet each other and to offer friendship and solidarity to one another. Inter-Faith Week offers an opportunity for us to get to know and appreciate each other’s spiritual practices. Our varied forms of spirituality enable God’s light, that is the source of all solidarity and love, to shine in the world.

We pray that God’s light will shine in each of our encounters this Inter-Faith Week and beyond, that hope will be proclaimed and heard even in times of sorrow and despair such as these. Let God’s light, shining through us, be a blessing to those in most need of it, those in the throes of famine for food and for spiritual nourishment. Let the table be plentiful and wide enough for all to be welcomed. Let hope overcome despair and divine light shine in times of need and gloom.

If to kindle hope takes silence, then silence should be kept in the presence of each other. If it takes conversation and sharing, then interaction with one another. If it takes prayer, then a time of prayer. If it takes solidarity and celebrating, then let us together, set a table where all are welcome.

Our prayers are with you for a blessed Inter-Faith Week 2021.

With warmest wishes,

The Revd Sonia Hicks, President of the Methodist Conference 2021/2022

Mrs Barbara Easton,  Vice - President of the Methodist Conference 2021/2022