Spurgeon’s College, a leading theological institution, has launched its #FaithInCommunity campaign to reflect
on and record the contributions of the faith community during the COVID-19 crisis. The campaign seeks to
collate these contributions which will be submitted to the British Library as an official record – creating a piece
of history for future generations.
From food bank support to community leadership and volunteering, faith organisations and groups across
the country have provided much needed support to their local areas throughout the crisis. This campaign
calls on faith organisations to share these efforts using an online form hosted by Spurgeon’s College.
The campaign forms an exciting opportunity for the faith community to come together to document the
valuable contributions made during the crisis for future generations to remember and reflect on.
The campaign is supported by partners from across the country and different faiths – including the Faith and
Society APPG, the Baptist Union, Leo Baeck College and the Islamic Medical Association – and comes as
the country continues the work of recovery from the pandemic and seeks to recover from the societal and
economic impacts of COVID-19. Other organisations looking to get involved with the campaign and record
their stories can submit an entry here.Speaking about the campaign, Principal of Spurgeon’s College, Philip McCormack said:
“As we work to recover from the pandemic, now is the time to take a moment and reflect on the essential
contributions made by faith communities over the past two years. By recording these efforts, we will be
creating history for future generations to learn about. We want to encourage faith organisations and groups
from all denominations and religions to take part in this campaign and share their stories.”
Welcoming the campaign, Chair of the Faith and Society APPG, Rt Hon Stephen Timms MP said:
“The All-Party Group for Faith and Society welcomes Spurgeon College’s #FaithInCommunity campaign. It
aims to highlight the outstanding contributions to our communities made by faith organisations and groups
during the pandemic. This support has included, among other things, providing food banks, clothes, shelter,
hot meals, workshops and medical advice to those most in need.
“The campaign builds on the APPG’s work to develop the Faith Covenant and strengthen the relationships
between faith organisations and their local authorities. It is vital that the work of these organisations during
the pandemic is recognised.”
Quotes from partners of the #FaithInCommunities campaign
General Secretary of the Baptist Union, Lynn Green said:
“It was humbling and inspiring to see the huge variety of ways that churches dedicated themselves to serving
their communities during the Pandemic. Existing services and relationships came into their own and many
new initiatives sprang up in response to particular community needs. I believe that the service given and
relationships forged will prove to be a legacy of love and hope that will shine brightly for many years to
come.”
Founder and project Manager for British Asian Christian Association’s ‘Meals for the Homeless’
project, Hannah Chowdhry said:
“During the first COVID-19 lockdown BACA was thrust into a pivotal role in our borough of Redbridge serving
over 65 homeless and financially hard-up people a day (many of whom supported families). Though we only
started our meals for the homeless project in mid-Jan and our foodbank in mid-Feb, within weeks we had the
4th highest food acceptance rate in East London (174 collections). We were subscribed to Fareshare and
Neighbourly but often still could not meet the food needs of struggling families and the homeless. Eventually
we partnered with two local churches, an Islamic charity and a Sikh Gurdwara who heard of our work. Local
people began providing food, clothes and furniture as gifts for those in need. By the end of the lockdown, we
had collected the 44th highest weight collection in the country (3936kg) – a real lockdown success.”
Regional Minister of the Northern Baptist Association, Paul Revill said:
“We are a family of 50 churches spread across the Northeast of England. Many were involved in supporting
local community needs, for example through running food banks, community meals, mental health support
work (Renew wellbeing cafes), environmental initiatives, providing chaplaincy or counselling, as well as
sharing the hope and confidence which a faith in Jesus Christ can bring. During the lockdowns many churches found creative ways of continuing to support those in need in their local communities, often
adapting their social care to the restrictions of lockdowns. Some opened their buildings to offer food for
visitors to take away, even while the worship services were not taking place on the premises; others offered
their buildings as prayer spaces for reflection; many church people volunteered as part of the local authority
pandemic response; those in chaplaincy roles continued their pastoral work online; health service chaplains’
work became more focussed on supporting NHS staff as contact with patients was more restricted. Based
by the numbers of views registered, many churches’ acts of worship and prayer which were recorded or live
streamed on the web were appreciated widely beyond the Christian community.”
Chair of Leo Baeck College, Stephen Herman:
“Leo Baeck College took our daily morning service online almost immediately after we closed the College in
March 2020. There is no other daily morning service within the progressive Jewish community in the UK and
making it more widely available was hugely appreciated by those who felt the need to attend. The expertise
gained by our students has positively fed into their congregational work to everyone’s benefit.”
Assistant Secretary General of The Muslim Council of Britain, Dr Muhammad Wajid Akhter:
“Here at the Muslim Council of Britain, we brought unity to the fight against the pandemic by bringing together
various Muslim organisations with different specialities so we could provide Muslim communities clear,
consistent and consensus advice during this difficult time. The main public health lesson we learnt is that the
messenger is as important as the message.”
British Islamic Medical Association
“The British Islamic Medical Association (BIMA) is a voluntary organisation containing many of the healthcare
professionals who have been at the frontline of the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Working alongside
colleagues and members of the Muslim community, BIMA has produced and disseminated information
regarding a number of aspects of the pandemic, from medical advice to guidance regarding the rituals around
the time of dying and how to approach COVID-19 in the context of the fasting month of Ramadan. Following
the introduction of the COVID-19 vaccines, BIMA has played a role in helping to increase the uptake of the
vaccine within Muslim communities, producing slide shows and participating in webinars to help members of
the public and health professionals understand the medical and Islamic advice regarding the vaccines. We
hope the trust we have gained during the pandemic will help us to continue to promote positive health and
wellbeing in the communities we serve in the years to come.”
Croydon Churches Forum
“On behalf of the Croydon Churches Forum, I’m delighted to offer our full support to this very timely campaign,
from which I’m sure all our churches and communities will benefit. Over the years, we have seen with great
pleasure the extraordinary number of Church-related groups and other faith-based organisations, working for
the benefit of the wider community and particularly for those most in need. Generally, this takes place quietly,
out of sight of public attention — and does not always receive the recognition it deserves. The
#FaithInCommunity campaign will, I’m sure, go a considerable way to redress this situation and to give
encouragement to all those who are engaged in work of this sort.”
Hearts of England Baptist Association
‘Over the past 2 years we have worked closely with the 158 Baptist Churches across the West Midlands, to
walk with them and to encouraged them during a challenging time. In particular, we have sought to encourage
the churches to engage with their communities using their skills, gifts and passion to make a difference,
especially a difference for those who have found the restrictions difficult.”
Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC)
“Belfast Islamic Centre (BIC) is a charity organisation establish in 1978 to serve the Muslim community,
promote mutual understanding and help integrate the Muslim community in the wider society. Working with
the public sector as well as civil society BIC acted as one of the main hubs for the Muslim community during
Covid-19 Pandemic. BIC gathered the first-hand information in relation to staying safe and in turn
disseminated this information to the Muslim community through our social media platforms. BIC helped
members of the Muslim community especially those with language barrier to book Covid test and produced
information on Covid tests and vaccination Centres for non-English speakers. BIC has had a team to help
those who are self-isolated with their basic needs. Also, BIC initiated Baraka Kitchen for collecting and
distributing food for those affected by the pandemic, especially those who live in hostels with limited means
of support. Finally, BIC endeavoured to provide the community with virtual pastoral care for the community
to minimize contact on one hand, yet to stay connected on the other hand.”
North Western BA
“Despite the unexpected and dramatic arrival of unprecedented change, it has been encouraging to recognise
not only the resilience of many of our church communities, but their instinct to reach out in support of their
communities. In many cases, worship spaces became foodbanks, community hubs and the like, and by
working together to develop shared online gatherings, we also released many leaders and church members
to engage in gestures of practical support for those isolated in their local community. Alongside this, we
retained that ongoing pastoral responsibility to support those bereaved and troubled through Covid’s direct
impact. While local churches have limited resources and expertise, this is often compensated for by a
longstanding presence, understanding and commitment to local neighbourhoods.”
