Launch of Love Your Neighbour in Middlesbrough
The launch of 'Love Your Neighbour' on Tuesday 15th November at Teesside University was a truly inspiring event. The invitation from Middlesbrough Interfaith Network attracted around 200 people from churches, faith groups, schools, community groups, charities, civic and business leaders to came together to take part in the event.
Love Your Neighbour is a movement that started in Birmingham following he EU referendum, encouraging people and communities to seek to live in harmony, mutual respect and care. The simple message of 'Love Your Neighbour' continues to spread and is now being embraced by the people of Middlesbrough.
The launch event celebrated some of the acts of kindness that churches and faith community groups are involved in every week to support people. There was a beautiful display of artwork inspired by the theme, created by both older and younger people, performances of dance, poetry and songs by students from Macmillian Academy and Trinity Catholic College, as well as information stands showcasing the work of local churches, faith groups and charities.
It was so inspiring to hear people of all ages, faiths and cultures sharing stories of how and why they seek to live out 'Love Your Neighbour' through acts of kindness that benefit others. The message was clear, that whoever we are we can make a difference in out communities by the way we live our lives, and it is often simple acts of humn kindness that can make such a difference.
Leaders and members of the local Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities joined civic leaders to sign a banner declaring their commitment to the cause. Bishop Paul Ferguson said:
"We've each got it in our power to change other peoples lives for the better. We can all make our town a better community if we show care ad understanding, and celebrate our rich and varied culture"
Middlesbrough welcomes large numbers of refugees and people seeking asylum into our communities, we want each person to feel that they belong and that we are all neighbours. But the beauty of 'Love Your Neighbour' is that it can include everybody. We aim to inspire everyone to care for others, whether that's an older person living in your street, someone who is going through a difficult time, or someone who has arrived fleeing form war. Simple acts of kindness can make a huge difference and build stronger and more caring communities.
People in Middlesbrough were asked to pledge to an act of kindness to help make our communities stronger, safer and happier places to live. Everyone has been encouraged to share stories of these acts of kindness on social media using #LoveYourNeighbour and #LYNboro. We want the town to be full of good news stories, showing how much we 'Love our Neighbour'.
One of these stories is the Club Together project, working the Methodist Asylum Project and Middlesbrough Football Club Foundation. Football has become an excellent way to build understanding between people and refugees who share a common joy for the game. Members of this project, alongside people from Trinity Youth & Children's Project, run by Holy Trinity Church, North Ormesby will be invited to parade the giant #LoveYourNeighbour banner at Middlesbrough home match on Sunday 20th November.
Heather Black
Development Officer, Together Middlesbrough & Cleveland, a joint venture between York Dioces and Church Urban Fund.