Finding Beauty in Community: Interfaith gathering in Bath

People from across Bath’s faith communities came together at Christ Church in Bath to celebrate Interfaith Week. The team at the church worked with Spirit of Peace using their Arts at the Intersection approach (Arts at the Intersection). 

The invent featured music from Sikh, Jewish, Christian and Caribbean traditions with the Rainbow Steel Band . It also included input from the Hindu tradition and from Narinder Tegally, Bath and Wells Interfaith Adviser. The Bath at Work Museum, which is close to the church, facilitated creative arts activities, inviting attendees to design flags for an upcoming Faith in Bath exhibition and to share their thoughts on ‘What faith in Bath means to me’.The evening concluded with a shared meal, offering an opportunity for people to enjoy excellent food and conversation together. 

The event was planned collaboratively with the Spirit of Peace, Narinder, William Heath, Chair of the Bath Interfaith Group and Revd Heather Smith Priest-in-Charge at Christ Church.

Speaking after the event, one of those who attended said, “The music was exceptional—not just the talented church choir, but also Rainbow Steel Band, bansuri, tabla, harp, and Jewish East European violin. The food was delicious, and the fellowship heartwarming.

“We heard moving stories of faith journeys and practices from different traditions. The atmosphere was one of mutual respect and curiosity—no pressure, no comparisons, just listening and learning.

“There was a genuine openness, free from prejudice or superiority. It was a space where friendships were formed across faith and cultural lines, and where understanding grew.

“Events like this remind us that building bridges through dialogue and shared experience is a powerful path to social cohesion. It’s far more enriching than living in isolation or fear of difference.”

Other Interfaith events taking place in Bath and Wells this month:

• Interfaith- Dialogue Peace Building – led by the Reverend Prebendary Narinder Tegally, Ammerdown on Thursday, November 27th from at 12 noon -5pm.
• Plumbing the Depths, talk by Nesrine Malik FRSL in Christ Church, Julian Road on Thursday November 27 at 7pm..
• Jewish Film Festival Bath.Thursday, 27 November, 6:30pm, Little Theatre Cinema, Bath. 

For more information on these events and others please visit the Events Calendar on the Bath and Wells website.