In a world often marked by division, distraction, and doubt, the quiet but persistent presence of faith in the Liverpool City Region is a testament to God’s enduring love, and our love for each other.

 

Though the headlines may speak of challenges – economic pressures, social change, or the loss of religious identity - beneath the surface, acts of kindness and charitable networks within the faith communities continue to grow.

 

Churches Together in the Merseyside Region (CTMR), in partnership with Together Liverpool, are delivering an anniversary project across the Liverpool City Region to mark forty years since the landmark Faith in the City report was published in 1985.

 

We have found faith in the city,” was the title of the final chapter of the groundbreaking 1985 Faith in the City report, published by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Commission on Urban Priority Areas. It highlighted the urgent needs of people living in inner-city communities and called on both the Church and the Government to take action. The report was a landmark moment, recognising the role of faith in tackling poverty and inequality.

 

Four decades on, faith is just as visible now as it was then in churches, community centres, schools, streets, and in the hearts of its people. In the Liverpool City Region, signs of faith are woven into the fabric of everyday life. From early morning Masses and services, to collective worship in schools, to foodbanks and food pantries run by dedicated volunteers, faith is ever present.

 

This anniversary year provides an opportunity for reflection and renewal. It’s a chance to celebrate the report’s impact, highlight stories of change, and acknowledge how faith-led social action has supported communities over generations. It’s also a call to action to address ongoing needs and build stronger partnerships with civic leaders.

 

This anniversary year is not just about looking back, it’s about moving forward. One of the key ways we are doing this is by creating the “Vision for the City” manifesto. This manifesto will present a clear picture to civic leaders and faith communities, calling for meaningful, impactful, lasting change, and will be launched at the anniversary celebration event on Tuesday 25 November.

 

As Pope Leo XIV emphasises the importance of charity and love, he has also highlighted the need to offer new signs of hope that reflect Christian charity. This anniversary year provides an opportunity for church leaders, faith groups and civic leaders to come together in unity to continue to show our love for others through purposeful acts of kindness.

 

“We are facing a time of unprecedented uncertainty in our world, plunging many people towards despair. Faith is a human quality, which although defining of our Christian identity, is a necessary element in any healthy society. There has never been a more important time for churches to come together to rekindle faith across our communities, and through this initiative we can not only remind of how much we have achieved through working together across our communities, but re-kindle a belief in what can yet be accomplished.” (Revd Phil Jump - Regional Minister for the North West Baptist Association and Chair of CTMR).