Representatives from the United Reformed Church (URC) were among church leaders who visited the UK Parliament on 1 November to explore the contribution of faith to politics.
The event was organised by Baptists Together, the Methodist Church, Quakers in Britain, The Salvation Army and the URC, in conjunction with the cross-party group Christians in Parliament.
Invited senior and emerging church leaders had the opportunity to meet MPs and Peers and discuss how government, parliamentarians and churches can work more closely together.
Briefings were offered by church policy specialists on issues of current concern to Churches, including the importance of addressing loss and damage as part of climate negotiations, and asylum and refugee policy.
The URC was represented by the Revd Dr John Bradbury, General Secretary, Karen Campbell, Secretary for Global and Intercultural Ministries, Simeon Mitchell, Secretary for Church and Society and JPIT Team leader, Jo Harris, URC Youth Moderator, and Philippa Osei, Youth Moderator-Elect.
Attendees also shared in worship in the historic Chapel of St Mary Undercroft, led by the Speaker’s Chaplain, and had the opportunity to tour parliament and watch a debate in the House of Commons.
Reflecting on the day, Simeon commented: “The worlds of faith and politics can often view each other with some suspicion, but this event helped bridge this gap and build mutual understanding.
“Like it or not, politics matters, as it’s how and where the big decisions about how we organise our society are made – or, to express this in theological terms, how the implications of our Christian commitment to loving our neighbour and to justice are worked through in the public sphere.
“The day affirmed how vital it is, locally and nationally, to have faith voices speaking up and being part of conversations about the issues that matter.