by Rev'd Canon Alan Griggs, CCJ Derbyshire

On Monday 30 March, St Barnabas Church in Derby hosted an interfaith Seder learning evening with friends from the Derbyshire Jewish Community, supported by the Council of Christians and Jews. Forty‑five people attended, including many young people who encountered a Seder for the first time and took an active role in preparing for the evening and participating. The evening reflected CCJ’s commitment to encounter, learning, and respectful dialogue. It was also an opportunity for participants to discover how meeting another tradition can enrich and deepen one’s own.

As vicar, Alan is very keen for the members of St Barnabas church, and Christians more broadly, to carefully engage with the Jewish context of Jesus’ life and ministry, while also recognising the challenges for both traditions to bridge the distance created by nearly two thousand years of history. The Seder was shared as a learning experience, with lots of room for questions, and we were mindful throughout that despite the church hosting, we were guests receiving a living Jewish tradition. The evening showed how attentive listening and shared hospitality can deepen understanding and foster genuine relationships. The food was pretty good too!

Eve, who led the seder, was so pleased that the small Derbyshire Jewish community was able to come together with the congregation of St Barnabas to share our traditions and learn together.  Jewish attendees really appreciated the warmth of the welcome and enjoyed their conversations. New memories were made, and there is a real interest in the Jewish community for further events together with local Christians.

The evening was marked by warmth, honesty, and mutual respect. Shared food and conversation helped to build trust, while the younger participants from the church community offered particular encouragement for the future. We are grateful to all who contributed and look forward to further opportunities to strengthen Christian–Jewish friendship through learning and encounter in Derbyshire.