Festival of Faith and Music returns as one-day symposium at Southwark Cathedral
The Church Times Festival of Faith and Music will return in 2026 as a one-day symposium at Southwark Cathedral, London, presented in partnership with the Royal School of Church Music.
Taking place on Saturday 10 October, the event will explore the theme ‘Alleluia! – The power of music as mission’, with a programme designed to celebrate church music and offer practical inspiration for parish musicians, clergy, singers and worship leaders.
Festival directors Sarah Meyrick, of the Church Times, and Hugh Morris, of the RSCM, said the aim is to create ‘a day that celebrates church music in all its glory’ and sends participants home ‘encouraged, inspired and equipped with new, and practical ideas’ for their own parishes.
The day will open with registration from 08:45, followed by a Festival Eucharist sung by Southwark Cathedral Choir. Sessions include a panel discussion, Where words fail, music speaks, featuring Iain Farrington, Lucy Walker, Helen Smee and Matthew Owens, and an illustrated lecture from Hugh Morris titled All my hope on God is founded.
The afternoon programme includes Music as mission – Sing My Soul, led by the Diocese of Manchester Choral Scholars, and a keynote address from Peter Moger, Deeper into the heart of God: music’s engagement with the divine.
The symposium will conclude with Festival Evensong, sung by the Choir of St Mary Magdalene, Wandsworth Common.
Speakers and contributors include Lucy Walker, Helen Smee, Matthew Owens, Iain Farrington, Hugh Morris, Peter Moger, Southwark Cathedral Choir and Sing My Soul Diocese of Manchester Choral Scholars.
Tickets are now on sale, with prices ranging from £59 to £99.