FIND common ground with other people from different backgrounds at the third Redditch Faith Walk next Sunday (May 21).
This year the walk, for people of faith and no faith, marks the 500th anniversary of the start of the Reformation led by Martin Luther in the 16th Century.
It sets off from the 12th Century Bordesley Abbey (B98 8HY) at 3pm and heads for the Protestant St Stephens Church in the town centre where a debate between the leaders of four key religions will debate the contributions their faiths have made to peace in the last 500 years.
The debate will then been thrown open to the audience for a question and answer session.
Two of the main drivers behind the project have been Bill Hartnett and Nitin Sodha, and Mr Sodha said: “This is our third walk and the principle is that it’s for people of different faiths and no faith with the aim of getting together and creating a real sense of community.”
Cooks Chana a Sikh from the Redditch Gurdwara added: “As Sikhs we signed the Redditch Together Pledge and this is all about us working as one big community so it is crucial that we take part in this walk.
“We all belong to Redditch and this is all about us coming together as one.”
His comments were endorsed by the Rev John Marsh, retired minister from the United Reform Church: “By taking our start point as the Reformation we can see how religion has evolved and developed, and all being well how they converge.”
Mr Hartnett, who has been nominated for a national diversity award because of his work encouraging understanding between Redditch’s different communities said: “We’re inviting everyone from Redditch so we can find common ground and forge a way for us all to live together in harmony.”
Free parking is available at the Abbey Stadium and the walk is approximately one mile.
