City’s Interfaith Service Raises the Roof
St John the Evangelist Church is large and imposing. It’s an Edwardian church of great beauty with superb acoustics. The Annual Interfaith Service for 2024, which was held at the end of Interfaith Week involved two choirs – Vocal Explosion and The Tone Rangers – two very different choirs – who filled the space with their own beautiful harmonies and spectacular sound.
The service also included readings, poetry and prayers from The Mayor, Sian Berry MP, the Hon Peter Kyle MP, Deputy Lieutenant Roger French OBE, Imam Mustafa Hatipoglu, Caroline Kendall, Police Chaplain Frances Novello and Canon David Parameter. There were also contributions from the Buddhist, Baha’i, Jewish and Pagan Communities, and the entire event, which took place before a packed congregation, was both held and brought together by the Church’s vicar – Revd Emma Ham-Riche.
The friendly atmosphere was palpable, very appropriately, given that the theme of the service was ‘Friendship’. As usual the event was rounded off with a legendary tea, which included many cakes, savouries and Noah’s Pudding.
The service was streamed to the IFCG Facebook page. You can check out this year’s Annual Interfaith Service right here.
Mitzvah Day – An Interfaith Day of Sharing and Caring – Stronger with Tea
On Sunday November 24th the IFCG celebrated Mitzvah day in the Progressive Synagogue of Brighton and Hove. This special day, celebrating the idea of being ‘stronger together’ included the participation of children and adults, with cake-making and story telling for children in the morning. In the afternoon those attending were invited to donate food and other goods to Voices in Exile. The day, which was declared a great success by one and all, was rounded off with tea and cake and an opportunity to meet friends, both old and new.