Interfaith Visit to Midnight Mass: A Night of Reflection and Unity

Interfaith Visit to Midnight Mass: A Night of Reflection and Unity

On Christmas Eve, St Paul’s Church, New Southgate, hosted the Barnet Multi Faith Forum interfaith visit to their Midnight Mass service. The evening, led by Reverend Matthew Harbage, was a profound celebration of hope, solidarity, and shared humanity in the face of global and local challenges.

Reverend Harbage’s sermon was a thoughtful reflection on the resilience and universal relevance of the Christ Child. He invited attendees to consider the Child of Bethlehem as a symbol of hope born into adversity, reminding the congregation of the turbulent circumstances surrounding Jesus’ birth.

“Had He been born in Bethlehem today, inside the West Bank, He would be born both Jew and Palestinian,” Reverend Harbage reflected. “He would be born into the heart of a land marked by conflict and tension.”

He spoke of the first Christmas, a time of political unrest and suffering, where Jesus’ family fled as refugees, escaping violence and oppression. The Reverend urged the congregation to remember the often-overlooked darker aspects of the Christmas story, including the massacre of children by King Herod.

“This child shook Herod’s throne. While some trust in power, wealth, or even violence, we Christians sing of a child born to refugees escaping a massacre,” he said. “In this resilient child and His family, we find hope.”

Reverend Harbage then called attention to contemporary issues, asking, “Where might we find the Christ Child today?” He challenged the audience to see Christ in those who suffer—“buried under the rubble of Gaza” or in the grieving families of hostages in Palestine and Israel. He reminded everyone of the ongoing conflict in the region and renewed his prayer for a ceasefire, urging both action and prayer for peace.

Locally, Reverend Harbage highlighted the diverse makeup of St Paul’s Parish, which spans Barnet, Enfield, and even includes a portion of Haringey. He praised the Barnet Multi Faith Forum for its tireless efforts in promoting unity across faiths, particularly in the face of growing polarization, populism, and hate.

“I am moved by the work I’ve seen across the borough of Barnet bringing people together of different faiths. From Jews to Muslims, Christians to Sikhs – the Barnet Multi Faith Forum has stood out as a voice for peace and reconciliation,” he noted.

He also reflected on BMFF’s solidarity during moments of crisis, citing the Forum’s condemnation of violence during the summer riots and its efforts to support marginalized communities. Reverend Harbage shared a deeply personal moment, saying, “Alongside others, I spoke at the London Finchley Mosque and was moved by the appreciation of the men, to the solidarity we showed.”

“We all need solidarity when our back is up against the wall,” he continued, likening the work of BMFF to the spirit of Christ standing with the oppressed and marginalized.

Reverend Harbage concluded his sermon with a resounding message of hope and resilience:

“The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it. It’s God standing with the poor and oppressed, declaring that no matter how dark the night, it is the love of God that is eternal.”

This interfaith visit was a testament to the strength of community, and all attendees were deeply moved by the service, not only by the Reverend’s eloquent sermon but also by the warm hospitality of St Paul’s Church. Inspired by the message of Christmas, the Barnet Multi Faith Forum reaffirmed its commitment to building bridges across faiths and encouraging hope and understanding in these challenging times.

Seeking Volunteer Opportunities for Christmas 2024 – JVN

As the festive season approaches, Jewish Volunteering Network (JVN) is seeking potential volunteering opportunities to support local communities. They are looking for organisations or initiatives in the Barnet area that are seeking volunteers for Christmas-related projects.

Some potential areas of focus include:
•⁠ ⁠Food bank support
•⁠ ⁠Gift wrapping or distribution
•⁠ ⁠Homelessness outreach
•⁠ ⁠Senior citizen support
•⁠ ⁠Other relevant causes

If you have any information about such opportunities, please share them with them via Angie info@jvn.org.uk. or 07919 566394 Your input will help us connect volunteers with meaningful projects and make a positive impact on our community.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Religion Media Centre – Faith pavilion at Cop 29

More than 70 organisations are running a “Faith Pavilion” at the climate change summit Cop29 in Azerbaijan. A number of workshops, presentations, speeches and discussions will be held from 12 – 22 November under the title "Bringing Faith to the Climate Frontlines,"  offering insights into faith, justice, and environmental stewardship.

The programme includes aid organisations and global faith groups who will engage in  interfaith dialogue with an emphasis on spiritual and ethical values in response to the climate crisis. The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, and the Catholic Bishop of Salford, John Arnold, have written a joint letter urging the government to ensure large polluters contribute more towards climate finance at COP29. They are calling for higher taxes on fossil fuel companies to help support countries most affected by the climate crisis.
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