An initiative led by a Church of England vicar to bring faith communities together in Bexleyheath, has won a prestigious faith award.
The Bexley Interfaith Forum was nominated for the London Faith and Community Awards - an annual event organised by the Faith and Belief Forum for London.
It's aim is to celebrate and shine a light, on the creative, generous and vital work of London’s faith and belief communities.
The Rev Trevor Wyatt, vicar of Christ Church Bexleyheath, was delighted to receive the award on behalf of Bexley Interfaith Forum, in the Promoting Interfaith Dialogue category:
"For about the last three years I have taken a lead on bringing together representatives and leaders of the different religions and faith groups in Bexley Borough.
"The aim has been to create a space where we can have dialogue and engage in discussion together about matters of religious faith. It is so important, particular at this unsettled time in our society, that we take the time to build healthy relationships with our brothers and sisters in other faiths and denominations, as together we can really be a force for good, for peace and for understanding."
As well as informal conversations between the various religious leaders in Bexley, the forum meets four times a year in different worships centres around the Borough.
This provide an opportunity to talk together about important subjects of interest to everyone, and provide a context where relationships and understanding between people of different religious beliefs can be built.
Members of the Forum include Sikhs, Muslims, Hindus, Bahias, Jews, Sant Nirankari Mission, plus various Christian churches including Roman Catholics, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists, United Reformed Church and Redeemed Church of God.
The award was presented by the Lord Lieutenant of London. As part of the award the Forum also received a sum of £500 to help continue their work.
If you are interested in developing interfaith work in your own area, please visit the Interfaith pages of the Diocesan website: www.rochester.anglican.org/mission/interfaith/