Chief Rabbi: Celebrate the King’s coronation by volunteering

Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis is amongst British faith leaders urging their communities to take part in volunteering activities on Coronation Bank Holiday 8 May.

Alongside faith representatives including the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, the Chief Rabbi encouraged the nation to take part in the Big Help Out initiative whilst visiting The Passage homelessness charity in central London.

The multi-faith statements of support, from all major UK faith communities (Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist, Bahá’í, Jain, Zoroastrian) are a rare occurrence in the run-up to the Coronation Weekend of HM King Charles and HM The Queen Consort.

Jewish community leaders including Marie van der Zyl OBE, President of the Board of Deputies of British Jews and Laura Marks OBE, Founder and Chair of Mitzvah Day, the international day of faith-based volunteering. are encouraging their members and communities to celebrate the Coronation by volunteering as part of The Big Help Out.

As well as the Archbishop of Canterbury, other supportive statements have been issued by the Dean of Westminster Abbey David Hoyle, the Archbishop of Westminster Cardinal Vincent Nichols and Government Minister for Faith Communities Baroness Scott of Bybrook.

The Big Help Out is one of the official projects of the forthcoming Coronation Weekend and is an initiative aiming to promote, champion and showcase volunteering. Building on the volunteer phenomenon seen during the pandemic, it aims to inspire a new generation of volunteers by making it easy for everyone to recognise opportunities and get involved.

Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations of the Commonwealth, said: “By taking part in The Big Help Out campaign, volunteering our time and energy, we can make a positive impact on our communities, help those in need, and promote social cohesion. I urge everyone, regardless of their faith or background, to embrace this opportunity and take part in this day of national volunteering. May The Big Help Out be a source of inspiration and hope, and may it strengthen the bonds that unite us as a people.”

The Most Revd and Rt Hon Justin Welby, the Archbishop of Canterbury, said: “During the Coronation, His Majesty The King will be anointed to serve others, and we’ll be giving thanks for the King’s example of service. That’s why helping others is a key theme of the Coronation weekend – and why I’m so delighted to support the Big Help Out. As we celebrate the Coronation, I joyfully encourage everyone to help out in all kinds of creative ways. I pray we take this opportunity to come together, support those around us and unite our communities. Let’s build a legacy of love for one another.”

Brendan Cox, co-founder of the Together Coalition, which is organising the Big Help Out, said: “The support from over thirty leaders of faith and belief groups, representing millions of people all over the UK, reflects the huge backing for the Big Help Out. The UK’s faith communities excel at volunteering and bringing people together. That’s why are excited about what they can contribute to the Big Help Out. Today’s intervention from senior leaders from the UK’s faith and belief groups, spanning the four nations, is a call to action for the faith communities to build the next generation of volunteers.”