A short reflection from our Executive Officer

Finding Common Ground: The Recent Unrest and Interchurch Families

During the unrest of recent days, communities have been torn apart by false narratives that enflame economic and social tensions, but after the riots we have begun to find the stories and actions of healing through collective efforts in the aftermath. Volunteers from various backgrounds have been showing up and coming together, united to rebuild, demonstrating that cooperation and compassion can overcome deep-seated differences. I’ve been struck by how this mirrors the experience of interchurch families who often have to navigate the complexities of belonging to multiple denominations. These families strive to honour their diverse faith traditions while fostering a harmonious household.

Interchurch families, much like the volunteers in the cleanup efforts, often act as bridges within their communities. They embody the potential for unity, showing that differences in doctrine or practice do not preclude mutual respect and shared purpose. Their experiences can teach us about compromise, understanding, and the strength found in diversity, even as sometimes this might be missed, misconstrued, or misunderstood by their individual denomination or churches

In both Britain's post-riot recovery actions and the lives of interchurch families, the common thread is the pursuit of reconciliation and the building of inclusive, supportive communities. By embracing our shared humanity and focusing on what unites us rather than what divides us, we can create spaces where everyone feels valued and understood... and this is essential within our churches if we all are to be one.

Though there is difference and turbulence, and yes sometimes even an air of rejection akin to the attitudes of some of the rioters, we as interchurch families remain committed just as the post-riot clean up volunteers are, to seeing our communities healed, whole and welcoming. We believe ecumenism is genuinely possible, we believe in the theology of love that overcomes all things, we believe that in Christ, and in time, we truly will all be one and received with love and acceptance that is healing and overcomes the hurts and divisions of the past in our faith communities.