St Giles Church in Whittington recently hosted an evening of discussion between the Bishop of Lichfield, the Right Revd Dr Michael Ipgrave, and Rabbi Mark Solomon, of Leicester and Edinburgh Progressive Synagogues.
Father Jason Phillips, Vicar of Whittington and a member of The Council of Christians and Jews (CCJ), writes:
The building was alive with enthusiasm and anticipation as over 90 people gathered to hear Rabbi Mark and Bishop Michael speak on the imperative of interfaith engagement and with one another on topical issues of life and faith. The event was skilfully facilitated on the night by the Revd Julia Baldwin, the local chaplain to The Archbishop of Canterbury.
The aim of the event was to raise the profile of The CCJ which St Giles Church supports. People from across the Diocese of Lichfield gathered along with members from across the diverse Christian traditions: Catholics, Methodist, Pentecostal and Baptists joining Jewish friends from across the region.
The event commenced with quick fire personal questions to each of the panellists giving a personal edge to the encounter and allowing both the joy and zeal of the speakers to flood out. This led into an engaging presentation by Bishop Michael on the significance and need of Jewish-Christian dialogue and the benefits not only to these two great world faiths in so doing but in modelling and developing understanding in our society at large. The inspirational Rabbi Mark followed using his recent experience of modelling a Seder meal to a Christian community. He continued the theme of respect and understanding, opening up where the faiths diverge as well as highlighting themes that are central to each such as liberation, justice and trust.
Revd Julia took questions from the floor on a range of topics from those gathered including biblical interpretation, the need for honouring and protecting the Sabbath, peace and the Nation of Israel, the salvation imperative in each faith and human sexuality. Each speaker brought both personal and faith perspectives to each area of exploration and illustrated nuances that showed at the core of each faith was a love for humanity in all its diversity.
Following the evening Bishop Michael, national CCJ Chair, said: This was a good and engaging conversation, reminding me of how much Jews and Christians have in common with one another. We have been particularly aware of that this year, when Passover and Easter so close to one another.
Pictured: From left, Rabbi Mark Solomon, Revd Julia Baldwin, Bishop Michael and Father Jason Phillips.