Lincolnshire’s Inter Faith Week 2026 concluded with a meaningful Walk for Peace through the historic heart of Lincoln, bringing together people of different faiths, beliefs and backgrounds in a shared commitment to understanding, friendship and a more peaceful future.
Organised by The Centre for Reconciliation (TCfR) and the Lincolnshire Faith Council, the walk formed part of this year’s theme, “Lighting the Way for a Shared Future.”
Following an exceptionally busy and inspiring week of community gatherings, educational activities, conversations, shared meals and opportunities for connection, the Walk for Peace provided a fitting opportunity to reflect on what had been achieved and, more importantly, what comes next.
A Journey Through Lincoln’s Faith Communities
The Walk for Peace began at Faizan-e-Madina Masjid & Islamic Centre in Lincoln, where Imam Habeeb Minhas warmly welcomed participants and offered wonderful hospitality. Visitors enjoyed a tour of the mosque, followed by an engaging question-and-answer session that provided opportunities to learn more about Islamic faith, worship and community life. It was a wonderful beginning to the walk, reflecting the spirit of openness, friendship and mutual understanding at the heart of Inter Faith Week.
From there, participants continued to Lincoln’s iconic Cathedral, where they received a warm welcome from The Revd Dr Kevin Walton, Canon Chancellor of Lincoln Cathedral. A time of reflection in the chapel provided a moment of stillness and contemplation.
After leaving the Cathedral, and before continuing towards the historic Jews’ Court, Rachael Philips, Chair of the Lincolnshire Jewish Community, offered a Hebrew prayer for peace outside the Cathedral. This meaningful moment brought the Jewish faith tradition into the shared journey and reminded participants of the importance of peace, understanding and our common humanity.
The group then continued to the historic Jews’ Court, recognising the longstanding Jewish heritage of Lincoln and its place in the city’s religious and cultural history.
The next stop was St Hugh of Lincoln Roman Catholic Church, where participants received a warm welcome from members of the congregation. Although Canon Edward Jarosz VG, Parish Priest, was busy conducting a service at the time, the group was able to enter the church and appreciate its peaceful atmosphere. Sincere thanks go to the parish community for their hospitality and to Canon Edward Jarosz for his support in making the visit possible.
The journey continued to the Quaker Meeting House, reflecting the Quaker tradition of peace, before moving to the Salvation Army, where Lieutenant Amanda Whitcombe, Corps Leader of The Salvation Army, warmly welcomed the walkers and offered a short reflection and prayer.
Participants then visited Lincoln’s historic 301-year-old Unitarian Chapel, where Katie Tesha led a prayer for peace, reminding everyone of the importance of compassion, mutual respect and our shared humanity.
The walk concluded at Central Methodist Church, home to the TCfR Interfaith Centre, where participants gathered for a final reflection on the day’s experiences and the wider message of Inter Faith Week.
At each stop, participants were reminded that while traditions, practices and beliefs may differ, the desire for peace, dignity, belonging and a better future is something we can share.
The walk was not simply a journey between places of worship. It was an opportunity to encounter one another, listen, ask questions, experience hospitality and recognise the rich diversity of faith and belief that contributes to life in Lincolnshire.
A Week of Meaningful Encounters and Community Action
The Walk for Peace marked the culmination of an exceptionally busy Inter Faith Week, during which TCfR and its partners created opportunities for people to meet, learn, reflect and work together.
The celebrations began with lantern-making activities at Lincoln Unitarian Chapel and opportunities to experience different faith traditions, including Diwali and Bandi Chhor Diwas celebrations at the Guru Nanak Sikh Temple in Scunthorpe. These activities reflected the theme of lighting the way towards a shared future.
Throughout Inter Faith Week, TCfR continued its commitment to community wellbeing through its regular Hygiene Bank and Coffee & Chat initiatives. These programmes demonstrate how practical support, hospitality and opportunities for conversation can help strengthen relationships, promote dignity and bring communities together.
An interfaith library initiative at the Peter Hodgkinson Centre brought together faith representatives and healthcare partners to strengthen spiritual and pastoral support for people accessing mental health services. The initiative also demonstrated the importance of ensuring that people from different faith and belief backgrounds feel recognised, respected and supported within healthcare settings.
The special Taste of Unity gathering brought 78 people together around a shared meal, while a further 60 takeaway meals were provided for people experiencing homelessness. It was a powerful reminder that hospitality, generosity and practical care are essential expressions of community cohesion.
Children and young people were also central to the week’s ambitions. At St Peter at Gowts Church of England Primary School, pupils had opportunities to meet people from different faith backgrounds, ask questions and explore identity, friendship and belonging through personal stories.
A visit by Lincolnshire Faith Council representatives to Lincs & Notts Air Ambulance provided another valuable opportunity to explore how faith communities can build lasting relationships with organisations serving the wider community. Together, these activities showed that interfaith engagement is not limited to conversations about religion. It also involves responding to shared challenges, supporting vulnerable people, strengthening community relationships and recognising the contributions that people of different faiths and beliefs make to society.
Listening to Young People: An Important Lesson for the Future
One of the ambitions of this year’s Inter Faith Week was to create space for younger generations to share their perspectives, experiences and hopes for the future.
The Youth Takeover Spoken Word Event, hosted by Archie Cameron Fluck, was intended to provide a platform for local young people to express themselves and contribute to conversations about faith, identity, community and belonging.
Although the event did not attract the hoped-for participation from young people, it created an important opportunity for those present to reflect on how organisations and communities can become more intentional about listening to younger generations.
Reflecting on the experience, Archie Cameron Fluck said: “I was in charge of hosting the Youth Takeover Spoken Word Event for Inter Faith Week in Lincoln this year. Though I was sad that we didn’t get the chance to hear the voices of local young people, I am grateful that there were some adults who attended with the genuine intention of wanting to hear the voices of younger generations. We were able to ask ourselves some introspective questions about how we might cultivate a space where young people feel more motivated to show up, where we can begin to create more intentional spaces for young people in other areas of society, and how we can take greater accountability for how we show up to listen to and acknowledge the inner wisdom that is already living vibrantly in the young people of today.
Thank you to The Centre for Reconciliation for trusting me to host this space and event. I appreciate the opportunity to learn and reflect so that I can better show up for the people in this community.”
Archie’s reflections highlight an important lesson emerging from this year’s programme: creating opportunities for young people is not simply about inviting them to participate, but about building relationships, understanding the barriers to engagement and ensuring that their voices genuinely influence the spaces and communities around them.
For TCfR, this learning will be an important part of shaping future youth engagement and developing more meaningful opportunities for younger generations to participate in interfaith and community life.
A Week Made Possible Through Generosity, Commitment and Partnership
Reflecting on the week, Subash Chellaiah, Founder and Executive Director of The Centre for Reconciliation, said: “Inter Faith Week has been an incredibly busy, inspiring and meaningful experience. None of what we have achieved would have been possible without the extraordinary generosity, dedication and commitment of our Board of Directors, core staff and wonderful volunteers. I am deeply grateful for the time, energy, skills and encouragement they have so generously given, often working behind the scenes and going above and beyond to make things happen. Their willingness to give their time, support one another and respond to challenges has been the foundation of everything we have achieved this week.
We were able to bring people together, open doors, create opportunities for learning and understanding, and reach out to those in need because of this collective effort. I also want to express my sincere appreciation to our faith communities, partner organisations and everyone who welcomed us, supported our activities and helped make this week possible. What has encouraged me most is not simply the number of events we organised, but the relationships we have strengthened, the conversations we have started and the willingness of people to work together despite our differences. There are also important lessons for us to learn, particularly around engaging younger generations and ensuring that the opportunities we create are genuinely welcoming and accessible to everyone.
As our Chair, Revd Steve Holt, reminded us, this is not the end. Inter Faith Week may have concluded, but our responsibility to build bridges, challenge prejudice, nurture friendships and work towards a more peaceful and inclusive society continues. My hope is that we carry the spirit of this week into our everyday lives and continue building on the relationships and partnerships we have developed.
Reconciliation is not something we celebrate for just one week of the year. It is something we must continue to practise together, every day.” Inter Faith Week Is Ending, but the Journey Continues Reflecting on the week, Revd Steve Holt, Chair of The Centre for Reconciliation, emphasised that the conclusion of Inter Faith Week should not be seen as the end of the journey. His message was a reminder that the conversations, friendships and understanding developed during the week must continue in our everyday lives, neighbourhoods, schools, workplaces and communities. The experiences of Inter Faith Week 2026 have offered important lessons about the value of listening, creating welcoming spaces and providing opportunities for people to encounter one another beyond assumptions and stereotypes.
For The Centre for Reconciliation, the week has been about much more than organising events. It has been about strengthening relationships, encouraging participation and building a foundation for sustained cooperation.
The theme, “Lighting the Way for a Shared Future,” has been reflected not only in the lanterns and celebrations, but in the kindness of those who opened their doors, the willingness of participants to listen and learn, and the practical acts of care shown throughout the week. The challenge now is to ensure that the connections established during the week continue to grow, that conversations lead to action and that the spirit of mutual respect and understanding becomes part of everyday community life.
Gratitude and a Shared Commitment
The Centre for Reconciliation extends its heartfelt thanks to the Board of Directors, core staff, volunteers, Lincolnshire Faith Council members, faith leaders, places of worship, community organisations, schools, healthcare partners and everyone who contributed to making Inter Faith Week 2026 possible.
Special thanks go to all the places of worship that opened their doors during the Walk for Peace, offering hospitality, reflections, prayers and opportunities for learning.
The contributions of volunteers and those working quietly behind the scenes were particularly important. From planning and preparing venues to welcoming visitors, coordinating activities, preparing food, supporting participants and responding to unexpected challenges, their generosity made the week’s programme possible.
The week has demonstrated what can be achieved when people are willing to give their time, share their experiences and work together for the benefit of their communities. It has also shown that building a more peaceful and inclusive society requires more than occasional gatherings. It requires continued commitment, honest conversations, mutual respect and the courage to challenge prejudice and misunderstanding wherever they arise.
Inter Faith Week 2026 may be coming to an end, but the work of reconciliation, friendship and peace continues. The challenge now is to carry the light forward, transforming the conversations and connections of this week into lasting relationships and meaningful action.
Because a shared future is not something we simply hope for. It is something we build together, every day.
