Self-discipline

27th February 2026

Thank you for all your efforts upon our return from the short February break – if you got one! It’s that time of year when we can literally see the light. Each and every day, it’s noticeably lighter, morning and evening. That does make us all feel that much belter and upbeat – Spring is nearly with us.

I recognise that whether you have a faith or, if you do follow a faith, whichever faith that might be, this is a very important time of year. Two of our largest community faiths are in their holy months. For our friends and colleagues who are Christians, we are in the month of Lent (well 40 days, so just over a month), starting last Wednesday (Ash Wednesday) and concluding on Easter Sunday.  For our friends and colleagues who are Muslims, we are in the month of Ramadan (a lunar month of around 28 days), starting last Tuesday. As the month of Ramadan shifts back around 10 days every year this convergence is remarkably rare.

Christians and Muslims will observe the tenements of their faith independently but in parallel. I know that Lent and Ramadan are not the same, but the motives and intentions have a significant degree of similarity and intent.

At the heart of this next month or so will be the concept of abstinence or fasting. This takes differing forms across Christianity and Islam but at the heart of the physical actions are very convergent intentions. We could summarise these as self-discipline, spiritual growth, community and giving, empathy and gratitude.

Over the next few weeks many Christians and Muslims will be using the concept of fasting, and the challenges that brings, to remind themselves of the key tenements of the faith. Some of that will be about oneself and one’s relationship with faith. Some of that will be about reminding ourselves that we are part of something bigger, something greater. That does include how we reach out into and speak to our communities. There will be many Christians and Muslims who find mutual support when facing the challenges of the periods of Lent and Ramadan. There will be many Christians and Muslims who will be giving or sharing, in support of their immediate and wider community.

You all have my best wishes and my admiration, if you are fasting or giving something up for Lent or Ramadan. Reach out for support if you need to. A chunk of the hard work is under your belt right now. There will be some tough days ahead and I hope that we can all share in supporting you along the way, as you would do for us all.

‘Nothing great is ever achieved without much enduring’. St Catherine of Siena

‘Fasting is not about starving yourself; it’s about appreciating what you have through the hunger you go through, learning the essence of gratitude along the way.’ … hadith