Interfaith Observance 2025
“Meeting people from all backgrounds and talking to them.” This was one of many such quotes from the gathering at the annual Interfaith event held in the Garrison Church on Sunday 20th July.
A rich mix of the religious, civic and the interested formed an intimate audience to hear speaker after speaker offer an interpretation on the theme of Wisdom, Worship and Service in Troubling Times. Commander Lawry of the Met Police highlighted how important was the value of community leaders in tackling this contextual conundrum. Mayor Linda Bird focused on the celebration of our differences through the articulation of their representation within a Garden of Beliefs. This analogy of action, learning and reconciliation through healing, within an environment that allows us all to blossom. Other speakers used anecdotes on friendship and learning through the painful lessons of social tragedies.
The speakers were interspersed with musical performances by Cantor David Rome, one of the Trustees of Woolwich Garrison Church Trust.
How the benefits that can accrue from such occasions, can become manifest in the community of Greenwich and Woolwich, from the diverse and stimulating views offered, were perhaps best summed up by Councillor Shabana Dhedhi from Waltham Forest, who articulated service as being action with dignity.
The attendance was tight knit, those present heard much through the themes the speakers adopted to help all of us reflect on how we can transform our best instincts and beliefs into actions that deliver tangible benefits for the whole of society.
The weather had threatened torrential rain throughout the afternoon, but the instead the sun shone for the event, welcome refreshments were served afterwards with those in attendance enjoying the company of others over cake and tea.
