The first ever national Virtual Community Service from Batley took place on Saturday 20th June with the aim of bringing together people of different faiths and beliefs through songs, poetry, artwork, conversations and prayers.

The service concluded with a special inter-faith Act of Commitment featuring voices from all over the country echoing words from Jo's maiden speech. This included contributions from Bishops Nick Baines (Leeds) and Helen-Ann Hartley (Ripon), alongside Andrew Copson (CEO Humanist Society), Imam Mohammed Mahmoud OBE (Senior Imam at East London Mosque), and Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner (Senior Rabbi Reform Movement).

“It will be really special in this time of pandemic with many feeling excluded or isolated, to be able to ‘join together’ in this way as part of the Great Get Together weekend. People of difference joining together and sharing across the country.” - Revd Canon Mark Umpleby, Associate Priest in the United Benefice of Batley