8th – 15th November 2020
Woking People of Faith (https://wpof.org.uk)have been promoting a “Buddy” programme for women throughout September and October culminating in Inter Faith Week.
The idea is that ladies partner with someone of a different faith or belief to exchange views and initiate conversations, using social media or telephone, whatever means are most comfortable for them. They will have an opportunity to contribute to a virtual event in Inter Faith Week to share what they have discovered through this contact.
Kawther Akhtar, Surrey Faith Links Adviser, has suggested some possible questions that the buddies might consider together.
How does your faith or non-religious belief shape your daily life – including at this time of COVID-19?
What, in your faith or non-religious belief, encourages service to others in society?
Has COVID-19 brought any lessons about common values and action?
(www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk)
The Covid 19 pandemic has challenged all of us in different ways, through illness, bereavement, loneliness, home schooling, home working, and furlough. In addition government restrictions have meant that people of faith have been unable to worship together in the mosque, the church building or other religious houses. Worship has moved online, via Zoom or pre recorded services, or printed material posted or hand delivered. Faith leaders have had to grapple with these new methods of delivering the message and in many cases this challenge has been met with enthusiasm and thankfulness by leaders and congregations alike. One of the main benefits of online worship has been its accessibility to those who who are unable to physically come to a service.
Places of worship are now opening gradually, practising Covid secure procedures. The latest Government rules announced today are warning of a ban on gatherings over 6 people. There are exemptions, but possibly churches, mosques and other sacred spaces will have to revise their practise again and revert to online delivery of worship.
Whatever the challenges, people of faith can be reassured that God is with us in these difficult times. In the Old Testament Psalm 103 has these comforting words :
v 8 ….the Lord is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in love.
Faith informs action, and we have witnessed many faithful people and others inspired to help during this difficult time.
It has been a positive and heartening aspect of the Covid 19 pandemic to see the way in which so many people have helped their neighbours, with shopping, checking on them daily, contacting people to have a chat, using their time and talents to help the NHS (Thank you, Knaphill Syrian refugees who made laundry bags for the NHS staff at St Peter’s), delivering food parcels and generally being more aware of each others’ needs. Kindness and compassion have been expressed between strangers as communities have worked together to deal with the issues raised by the pandemic.
So there is plenty to talk about and share with each other as we contemplate the uncertainty of the months to come and recall with thankfulness the many inspiring stories of human and godly love that have already resulted from the strange times in which we are living.
As people of faith and other beliefs take time to talk to each other, may grace and love be at the heart of all their conversations.
South East Methodist Refugee and Interfaith Work 