Sophie Banerji – Southwark Consultation and Involvement Officer – Faith Lead.
This Christmas season has been marked by a renewed sense of confidence, boldness, and joy among churches and Christian communities across Southwark. As Consultation and Involvement Officer with a faith remit, I have been deeply encouraged by the stories shared, the events hosted, and the collective energy that has been felt and witnessed across the borough. Even though it was not possible to attend every gathering, the consistent feedback from residents and colleagues across community engagement, neighbourhoods, and communications has painted a vivid picture of a borough alive with faith-inspired generosity, creativity, and public witness.
What stands out most strongly is not simply the volume of activity (though that alone has been remarkable) but the manner in which faith has been expressed: openly, respectfully, lovingly, and with an evident desire to serve and include. Across Southwark, churches and Christian organisations have stepped into the Christmas season with confidence in sharing the gospel, while meeting people where they are, across cultures, ages, and beliefs. There has been a tangible sense that faith is not retreating into private spaces but is instead engaging publicly, joyfully, and responsibly with the life of the borough.
A Borough Alive with Faith and Creativity
It would be impossible to name every event, initiative, or act of service that has taken place this Christmas, and any attempt to do so would inevitably fall short. Yet the sheer breadth of activity speaks volumes. From dinners for people experiencing homelessness, to Christmas fairs or even grand carol services at Southwark Cathedral, the message of hope at the heart of the Christian faith has been expressed in ways that are both accessible and celebratory.
Community fairs and gatherings have reflected the extraordinary diversity of Southwark itself. Latin American, African, Turkish, Swedish, and many other communities have come together in events that honour culture, language, and heritage while also sharing faith. These moments have shown to all the gospel is not confined to one expression or tradition, but is shared across nations, tribes, tongues, and stories. In this sense, Christmas in Southwark has felt like a living expression of the Great Commission – rooted locally, but expansive in vision.
Colleagues across the council have noted how many of these events were promoted through council channels, demonstrating a growing confidence and trust in working collaboratively with faith groups. This partnership has allowed faith communities to extend their reach and sharing values of inclusion, wellbeing, and community cohesion.
Faith Expressed Through Service and Generosity
Alongside worship and celebration, service has been a defining theme of this season. Warm spaces, joint events, shared invitations, increased street presence and outreach, and generous giving have characterised the approach of many churches and Christian organisations. From Christingle services to traditional carol services, from food provision to practical support, faith has been expressed not only in words but in tangible acts of kindness.
These initiatives have met real needs during a challenging winter period. They have also demonstrated how faith communities often operate as trusted, relational anchors within neighbourhoods. Churches are able to respond quickly, compassionately, and effectively. The sharing of space, resources, and time has reinforced the idea that churches are not simply venues for worship, but hubs of community life.
A particularly powerful example of this generosity has been Pecan’s Big Christmas Give. The achievement of raising £62,128 through match funding, is a significant milestone. Supported by match funders including The Childhood Trust, Jaguar Building Services, and TMT Finance, this extraordinary week of giving will have a lasting impact on Southwark Foodbank and its wider support work. Beyond the financial success, it is especially poignant post Pecan’s church gathering which reiterated a desire to return to Christian values at its core and to build a wider, more connected faith network. This speaks to a growing confidence among churches to articulate their motivations clearly while remaining outward-looking and collaborative.
Faith Within the Council: A Visible and Encouraging Presence
Internally, the presence of faith within the council itself has been a source of encouragement. The Southwark Christian Network’s hosting of carols for staff in the atrium created a moment of shared celebration within the civic space. This event, alongside two thoughtful and faithful talks by Joel Chia from Grace Church Greenwich (who have planted in Canada Water), provided opportunities for reflection and conversation among staff from across departments.
The participation of a choir drawn from the Christian network, the attendance of councillors, and the presence of senior staff all contributed to an atmosphere of openness and respect. Particularly notable was the Worshipful Mayor, Sunny Lambe, whose speech boldly yet graciously proclaimed faith, alongside Councillor Michael Situ and other senior leaders who made themselves known as Christians. Their willingness to read scripture, share poems, and sing publicly demonstrated that faith can be expressed authentically within professional settings when done with integrity and sensitivity.
One of the most moving moments came through the involvement of children. The Boutcher Primary School Choir and St James the Great Catholic Primary School Brass Band brought a joyful and unselfconscious proclamation of the Christian message. Their playful, confident engagement, challenging staff and children alike in their beliefs, was met not with resistance, but with warmth, curiosity, and genuine interest. It was deeply encouraging to witness children expressing a strong, simple faith that sees Jesus as a hopeful and meaningful answer.
Confidence Without Coercion: A Respectful Public Faith
Perhaps one of the most significant themes of this Christmas season has been the way in which faith has been expressed boldly without being coercive. Across Southwark, Christian communities have demonstrated that it is possible to share the gospel openly while remaining respectful, honest, and loving. People of all ages, stages, and beliefs have been welcomed. Conversations have been invitational rather than prescriptive, grounded in grace rather than pressure.
This approach has fostered trust and openness. It has allowed people to engage at their own pace, to ask questions, to participate in community life, and to experience hospitality without fear of exclusion. In a borough as diverse as Southwark, this way of being is not only appropriate but essential. It reflects a mature and confident faith, one that is secure enough to be generous, curious, and outward-facing.
Looking Ahead: Sustaining Momentum and Partnership
As we reflect on this Christmas season, there is much to celebrate and much to learn. The energy, commitment, and joy that have been evident across Southwark are not accidental; they are the fruit of long-term relationship-building, faithful service, and a willingness to collaborate across boundaries. The challenge and opportunity now is to sustain this momentum beyond Christmas.
For churches and Christian organisations, it means continuing to serve with humility, creativity, and openness, while holding firmly to the values and beliefs that motivate their work. For the council, this means continuing to recognise and engage with faith communities as vital partners in building strong, resilient neighbourhoods.
This Christmas has shown that faith, when expressed with confidence and compassion, can be a powerful force for good. It has brought warmth to cold spaces, hope to difficult circumstances, and joy to public and private places alike. Every corner of the borough has, in some way, been touched.
In a season often marked by division or fatigue, Southwark has instead experienced connection, generosity, and renewed confidence in faith lived out in public life. That is something worth celebrating and carrying forward into the year ahead!
