Interfaith Week offers a valuable opportunity to focus on the diversity of faith communities within our society and to build relationships based on mutual respect, understanding, and peace. As Christians, we are called to love our neighbours and to recognise the dignity and worth of every person as someone created in the image of God.
Jesus consistently reached across social, cultural, and religious boundaries. Through encounters such as those with the Samaritan woman and the Good Samaritan, he demonstrated that compassion and love should not be limited by difference. Interfaith engagement therefore provides an opportunity to follow Christ’s example by listening carefully, learning humbly, and seeking common ground while remaining rooted in our own faith.
In a world often marked by division, misunderstanding, and fear, opportunities for dialogue are increasingly important. Meeting people of other faiths can challenge stereotypes and help us appreciate the values we share, such as a commitment to justice, peace, care for the vulnerable, and stewardship of creation. Such conversations can deepen our understanding of others and, at times, even strengthen our own faith by encouraging us to reflect more intentionally on what we believe.
Interfaith Week is not about being aware there are differences or compromising deeply held convictions. Rather, it is about creating space where differences can be explored respectfully and where relationships can flourish. Genuine dialogue requires both confidence in one’s own beliefs and openness to hearing the experiences of others.
As Christians, we believe that God calls us to be peacemakers and ambassadors of reconciliation. During Interfaith Week, we can contribute to this calling by extending friendship, showing hospitality, and working alongside people of other faiths for the common good. Through these acts of encounter and cooperation, we bear witness to Christ’s love and help build stronger, more compassionate communities where everyone can belong and thrive.
Find out more about Interfaith on our website Interfaith – The Diocese of Southwark.
An Interfaith Week Prayer from Bishop Martin Gainsborough- Bishop of Kingston
Looking to Jesus, the pioneer and perfector of our faith,
Help us Lord, this interfaith week, to draw closer to people of all faiths,
Sharing the gifts you have given us,
Giving thanks for all that we receive through dialogue.
Help us to be people of reconciliation,
Building up our communities,
Putting the needs of others before our own.
Where there is discrimination, fear or hurt,
We pray for healing and repair,
Trusting in the One who for the sake of the joy set before Him endured the cross
Taking his seat at the right of the throne of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit.
Amen.
There are various Interfaith Week resources available:
Interfaith Week 2026 website
For Churches: Resources – Inter Faith Week
For Schools Home | Inter Faith Week 4 Schools
Churches Together England and CTBI
Inter Faith Week 2026 – 8 to 15 November – Churches Together in England
Reaching Out in Love – Interreligious Dialogue toolkit – CTBI
The Feast
Events
- Croydon Annual Inter Faith Remembrance Event Thursday 5th November 6.30pm at Croydon Town Hall.
- Kingston Inter Faith walk Thursday 12th November beginning at Kingston United Reform Church KT1 1HZ at 1pm.
- Southwark Inter Faith walk Sunday 15th November meeting at 3pm at Red Cross Garden SE1 1HA.
- Southwark Inter Faith meeting Thursday 12th November 6.30pm at the Walworth Living Room SE17 2JU. ‘What does my faith teach me about being a good neighbour?’.
- Inter Faith Dialogue Book Club, Wednesday 11th November 16.00 – 18.00 AT All Rotherhithe Community Centre, 30 Plough Way, London SE16 2LJ.
With people reading less and less these days, this is an opportunity to buck the trend and enjoy the joys of interfaith dialogue through reading.
- Royal Greenwich Multifaith Forum, 17th November 2026 – in-person event at Woolwich Town Hall for the Interfaith Week Celebration
Followed by an event on 9 December 2026, 6:45pm to 8:45pm – in-person Celebration of Light, their end of year multifaith celebration.
