A special one-off event hosted by St Frideswide’s Church, Water Eaton, brought together near neighbours from the local mosque and friends who are Muslim with church members for a morning of faith reflection, food and friendship-building.
For the first time in 33 years, the holy month of Ramadan and the season of Lent began on the same day. St Frideswide’s hosted a Weaving Trust gathering to create intentional space for conversation, hospitality and shared reflection.
Nudrat Hopper, Congregational Development and Community Organiser at St Frideswide, said:
“In an increasingly atomised society, many of us gravitate towards those who share our beliefs and background. Opportunities to build genuine relationships across faith lines can feel rare — perhaps even like a ‘blue moon’.”
In a society where many people naturally gravitate towards those who share similar beliefs and backgrounds, opportunities to build genuine relationships across faiths can feel rare. The Weaving Trust initiative recognises that trust grows as people talk, conversation leads to understanding, and understanding allows barriers to fall. The Weaving Trust methodology, developed through Citizens UK's "Organising Together across Difference" project, consists of short local workshops designed to build meaningful relationships across social divides. It fosters community cohesion through structured, intentional interaction to combat polarization.
Invitations were extended through friendships, workplaces, sports teams and neighbourhood connections. And when the day arrived, people came.
The morning was marked by warm hospitality, thoughtful discussion and open-hearted listening. A simple question, “What is fasting?”, opened into rich and respectful conversations about faith, discipline, community and relationship with God during both Ramadan and Lent.
Small group discussions gave everyone a space to speak and be heard. Participants shared personal experiences of faith and belonging, modelling a hopeful alternative to the isolation that can characterise modern life.
One attendee reflected: “Thank you for organising this morning’s get together. I didn’t know what to expect. The questions were well considered, the discussions informative and everyone there took part… the timing was perfect… the refreshments were delicious… and the goody bag was scrumptious. Looking forward to the next one.”
Revd Dr Paul Smith, Area Interfaith Advisor for the Buckingham Archdeaconry, said:
“I was greatly heartened by this imaginative event which grows out of St Frideswide’s vision and helps build cohesive local community. It challenges the voices that try and sow division and foster suspicion. Blessed are the peacemakers!”
Initiatives like this demonstrate how local churches can build bridges of trust and understanding in their communities. By creating space for honest conversation and shared hospitality, St Frideswide’s is living out a commitment to serve its neighbours and work for the common good.
Encouraged by the warmth and openness of the gathering, the church is now exploring further opportunities to continue strengthening relationships across faith communities, including possible shared initiatives during future seasons such as Advent and Ramadan.
St Frideswide’s Water Eaton is an Anglican church in the Milton Keynes Deanery. Its vision is to “have fun, make friends, and grow disciples of Jesus,” and it is actively exploring how community organising can help it grow in faith, serve neighbours and build partnerships for the flourishing of the wider community.