Halifax Minster launches new Festival of Faith featuring film, live music, concerts and visiting preachers

The new festival will run from Ash Wednesday (February 14) through to Easter Day (March 31) and include a wide variety of genres including film, live music, concerts and visiting preachers in conversation and poetry as well as the traditional scripture, services and prayers.

Vicar of Halifax Minster, Rev Canon Hilary Barber said: “The festival is outward facing, as we are looking to draw people from outside the Minster, who may not usually think of visiting us to come and experience this common ground yet sacred meeting place with God.

“It will run throughout Lent and the idea is to reinforce the message that the Minster is a place for everyone, not just people of the Christian faith but people of other faiths and people on no faith as well.

"Our doors are open to everyone and we hope that this festival will have something for everyone to enjoy.”

Highlights include a screening of the 1998 film, The Truman Show, starring Jim Carrey, which explores the power of the media, relationships and what it means to be free.

There will also be a welcome return for Halifax Choral Society performing Music for Springtime, a creation-themed evening, and the Yorkshire String Quartet will perform during an afternoon of poetry.

Visiting pilgrims include Smitha Prasadam, born in South India to missionaries and consecrated as Bishop of Huddersfield last year.

The series of public conversations around faith will feature Zara Mohammed, Secretary General of the Muslim Council of Great Britain; Major General Zac Stenning, Commandant of the Royal Academy Sandhurst and Colonel of the Yorkshire Regiment; and the Hon Sir Stephen Timms MP, Chair of the All Parliamentary Group on Faith and Society.

Mindfulness, spirituality and mental health will also be topics to be explored during the conversations.

The festival gets underway on Ash Wednesday, February 14, with a Eucharist and Imposition of Ashes service with the preacher, The Ven Bill Braviner, Archdeacon of Halifax.

Throughout the festival, the Minster Choir will perform every Sunday morning and afternoon music to accompany the liturgy.

Canon Barber added: “The festival ends with the drama of Holy Week, recalling the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as we strive beyond the darkness of this present time, and look for hope in the future of God’s Kingdom.”

Halifax Minster is open daily. For the full programme of the Festival of Faith, please visit www.halifaxminster.org.uk