Some 70 people gathered at St Richard’s Seacroft recently to have meaningful conversations about the topic of migration.
The event, ‘Migration: What’s Next?’, brought together political representatives from all political parties, as well as Christian and Muslim leaders, to speak together about the challenges and opportunities that migration brings to the city of Leeds.
The event was organised by the Revd Heston Groenewald, vicar of All Hallows Leeds, and hosted by the Revd Anne Russell, Team Rector of the Seacroft Parish, and was attended by Qari Assim, Iman at the Makkah Mosque in Leeds.
The Rt Revd Arun Arora, Bishop of Kirkstall and co-lead bishop on Racial Justice 
for the Church of England, said: “Providing a space for people to both be heard and to hear is a crucial part of our Gospel mission to enable to the common good.
“Building community and enabling a space for people to disagree well, to live as neighbours and to see the image of God in one another - regardless of our politics - underscores the role of the Church not only as a key player in community cohesion, moving beyond placards and protests in seeking to bring peace and blessing to the parishes we serve."
Of the event, Revd Heston said: “We didn’t solve any issues, but we have paid attention to complexity and parted as friends.
“It's a start, and hopefully we can build on this, learning to collaborate and end arguments rather than just trying to win them.”