Christians, Confidence and Christmas

Christmas comes but once a year and when it does someone starts daft stories about Christmas being banned. So lets get it straight, celebrating Christmas is not offensive to Muslims or any other faith. In fact blaming Muslims for a perceived need to be coy about celebrating Christmas is what's offensive.
This month the Christian Muslim Forum have issued a statement ‘Celebrating Christmas Confidently’. This reiterates and updates something which they first said in 2006 and again 2009. Namely, we do not have to ‘ban’ Christmas for fear of offending others.
At PEN we promote the development of a confident Christian identity. From this base Christians can engage with their neighbours of other faiths. In doing so they discover that rather than being a threat, other faiths can inspire us to go broader and deeper in to our own. They encourage us to be bold in celebrating what we believe.
In Southall, Christians have adopted a traditional Sikh style of celebrating, a street procession, to confidently declare the approach of Christmas and what that means to them. They call it Bethlehem Comes to Southall you can see a picture here.
Southwark Diocesan newspaper The Bridge has done a centre spread 'What Christmas means to me' which includes an interview with some Muslim staff from a Church of England primary school.
This year BBC 1 is screening four episodes of a new production The Nativity, by Tony Jordan, (creator of Life on Mars and writer of Eastenders) The half hour epsiodes will be screened mid-evening in the week leading up to Christmas. Not only is this a bold public celebrating of the Christmas story, Churches Together in England have declared it will be a major opportunity to engage as people come to churches on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, having watched the series and wanting to work out what it means for them.

Seek the Welfare talks online

"Inspirational"..."great"..."brain and soul food"... these were some of the responses to the Seek the Welfare of the City conference organised by PEN, King's College London and St Mellitus last week.  Many of the talks - including keynote addresses by Bishop Doug Miles and Bishop Richard Chartres, and sessions with Lucy Winkett, Giles Goddard and Russ Rook are online here.  Over 250 people attended the event, held at Holy Trinity Brompton and St Paul's Hammersmith, with presentations on the theology and practice of urban ministry.

You can follow the conference Twitter feed here.  Luke Bretherton's comments summed up the mood of the conference well: Something rather special emerged as people began to connect outside of stereotypes & listen afresh - together.

Cheapside Debates at St Mary le Bow

Tuesday 30th November, at 1.05pm
The question 'Can we afford “socially useless” banking?’ will be debated by Dr Alistair Milne (Reader in Banking at the Cass Business School) and Alderman Roger Gifford (Head of London, SEB). William Chapman (Private Secretary & Chief of Staff, Lord Mayor's Office) will chair.
For more details email Matthew Power matthewpower@stmarylebow.org.uk or visit www.stmarylebow.org.uk

New E-learning Courses from the Woolf Institute

The Woolf Institute is dedicated to teaching, research and dialogue in the encounter between Jews, Christians and Muslims. It is an umbrella organisation for the Centre for the Study of Jewish–Christian Relations (CJCR, founded in 1998) and the Centre for the Study of Muslim–Jewish Relations (CMJR, established in 2006).  It has just opened bookings for two e-learning courses commencing 10th January 2011

Muslims and Jews:the historical and contemporary encounter and
Jews, Christians and Muslims in Europe:modern challenges.

Both courses cost £300, bursaries are available. Bookings close 3rd Janaury 2011

For more information go to http://www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/ or download a pdf of each course by clicking on the titles above.

Inter Faith Week is almost here .........

November 21-27 is Inter Faith Week 2010

This is the second such national celebration of what faith communities have to offer to the wider community. This is a week to tell the positive stories of inter faith relations. Last year there were over 300 events in civic settings, campuses, schools and local communities.

There is a dedicated website at http://www.interfaithweek.org.uk/ Learn more about the aims of the week and links with other faith inspired events. Read up on highlights of the week in 2009. Discover what's happening in your area in 2010.

To help publicise the week you can download a flier here

Solidarity with Victims

The Al-Khoei Foundation in London, and the Christian Muslim Forum, are seeking solidarity with victims of the recent terrorist attacks throughout the world, in particular those massacred whilst they were worshipping at "Our Lady of Salvation Church" in Baghdad.
You are invited to attend the ceremony they are organising on Saturday 13 November 2010 from 7pm to 8:30pm at the Al-Khoei Foundation, Stone Hall, Chevening Road, London NW6 6TN
This commemoration is to mourn those who have tragically lost their lives and to condemn the attrocities committed by terrorists who are devoted to destroying all universal values of mercy, peace and compassion. Victims of the recent terrorist attacks in Baghdad, Najaf, Kerbala, Erbil, Basra, Sufi shrines in Pakistan, as well as all other victims of terror will be remembered.

Organisations participating: Imam Al-Khoei Foundation, Syriac Orthodox Church, Chaldean Catholic Church, Assyrian Church of the East, British Muslim Forum, Ancient Church of the East,
Assyrian General Conference, Greek Catholic Church Of Lebanon, Supreme Shi'ite Islamic Council of Lebanon - London office, Awareness Foundation, Christian Muslim Forum

See also the statement issued by The Christian Muslim Forum about the Bhagdad attack.

Two Recent Titles from Grove books

Church Schools in a Multi-faith Community - Birmingham Diocesan Schools' Support Officer, Peter French, ponders the theological questions and considers three examples from Bloxham, Sparkhill and Saltley, in the city. It illustrates well how different circumstances evoke different and yet equally appropriate and fruitful models. ISSN 2041 0964 in Grove's Education Series

Friendship and Exchange with People of Other Faiths - Celia Blackden suggests'friendship and exchange' as an alternative model for inter faith relations to that of 'presence and engagement'. This new title in Grove's evangelical series is perhaps considering a context for witness and dialogue at a more personal level. There are a number of interesting cross references including to Inderjit Bhogal, Richard Sudworth, Kenneth Cracknell and Ciara Lubich. ISSN 1367 0840

All Grove titles are £3.95 (less for pre publication subscriptions) see http://www.grovebooks.co.uk/

Jim Wallis to speak at PEN conference

The Revd Jim Wallis has just been confirmed as a speaker at the Seek The Welfare of the City conference on 25/6 November.  Wallis is best known as the founder and editor of Sojourners magazine, and of the Washington, D.C.-based Christian community of the same name.

Jim will be speaking on the second day of the conference, which also includes contributions from Richard Chartres, John Inge, David Ford and Maeve Sherlock.  It is being organised by PEN, St Mellitus College and Kings College London.

That day will also include panel discussion on Christian social & political engagement in multi-faith contexts with case studies from PEN and input from Richard Sudworth (author of Distinctly Welcoming).  The panel will be chaired by Dr David Muir (New Testament Church of God)

The event cost £25 for one day £45 for two. To book, and for more details, go to http://www.htb.org.uk/events/seek-welfare-city

Big Society - what does it mean for the church?

Does the Big Society offer churches new opportunities for practical action in our communities and neighbourhoods, for mission and transformation? Where does community organising fit? Will churches end up picking up the pieces?

Many feel it is still not clear how community groups can play an effective and valued part in the delivery of the Big Society vision. It is also not clear how it translates to a local level.

Meet with those at the forefront of the debate and action, to engage critically with the thinking behind the Government’s policies and actions relating to the ‘Big Society’, and use this chance to reflect together on the theological implications and action outcomes.

The London Churches Group, Mission in London’s Economy, and the Diocese of Southwark; invite you to a day conference on Wednesday 19th January 2011, 10.00 a.m. – 3.30 p.m. (buffet lunch provided) at Trinity House Conference Centre 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, Southwark, SE1 1HW

Speakers:

Andrew Stunell, OBE, MP, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at Communities and Local Government, whose responsibilities include community cohesion, faiths and Big Society

Jon Cruddas, MP for Dagenham and Rainham

Debra Allcock Tyler, Chief Executive of the Directory for Social Change, whose vision is of an independent voluntary sector at the heart of social change

Richard Farnell, Professor of Neighbourhood Regeneration at Coventry University and Canon Theologian of Coventry Cathedral


Download a booking form here

Faith in the Global Village

Islington Faiths Forum invites you to a lecture and debate:

‘Faith in the Global Village – connecting the Local and International in Inter Faith Relationships’
To be held on Wednesday, 24th November 2010, 6.15pm to 8.30pm at London Metropolitan University – In Room SHG-01, Stapleton House, 277 - 281 Holloway Road, London N7 8HN (opposite the Tower Building).

The Keynote Speaker is the Reverend Canon Guy Wilkinson, the National Inter Religious Affairs Adviser & Secretary for Inter Religious Affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Islington Faiths Forum is a community partnership of faith-based organisations working together to assist local community development and the delivery of community support services. They work to support inter faith initiatives & dialogue throughout the Borough and across London.

For more information including a list of the panelists go to www.islingtonfaithsforum.org.uk

To register please email Revd. Fiona Weaver at: f.weaver@londonmet.ac.uk
Registration is necessary as there are a limited number of places available

Inter Faith Week 2010

The second national Inter Faith Week runs from 21st to 27th November this year. The aim of the week is not to generate a flurry of special events or activities, rather to publicise and celebrate the year round work and contribution of faith groups.
Churches Together in England have produced a short video to illustrate the ethos of the week and the importance of conveying the positve news stories about faith groups and their interaction with each other and the communities they serve.

Obviously there will be some events timed to coincide with the week.

Take a look at the video but also check out the whole CTE website, details of events and wealth of resources.

PEN Update for October

PEN Coordinator, Susanne Mitchell is transfering monthly updates from email to blog.........
Autumn is certainly the conference season! A lot of PEN time this month has involved meetings and visits. The national Presence and Engagement task group met in Leicester to reflect, update, and plan ahead. Working in inter faith relations/presence and engagement can be a lonely arena at times and the existence of networks and opportunities to meet with colleagues (who remain 'virtual' most of the time) is greatly valued.
FbRN (Faith based Regeneration Network) took Faith Social Action and Big Society as the theme for its National Conference and afforded another opportunity to think outside of the London box and remember that there is more than one model for effecting change.
Conflict and Change celebrated its 25th birthday. This amazing grassroots, capacity building, life changing organisation is based in Newham but has a growing influence. Training in conflict resolution and mentoring, volunteers who do the mediation also pass on the skills - seeds and mustard trees. Might they be just what you are looking for in your patch?
Listening to individual's stories and visiting projects is always inspirational. I am constantly exploring how best to present them on the website so they become a resource for others.
To round off the month I am looking forward to the opening of the Prayer Space and base for the Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy. Another example of patience, collaboration and transformation.

Resources and Events
Look out for two new titles from Grove Books:- 'Friendship and Exchange with People of Other Faiths: A Context for Witness and Dialogue', by Celia Blackden, and 'Church Schools in a Multi-faith Community', by Peter French.
Also, from St Johns (Nottingham) Extension Studies, in the Faith for Life series of workbooks is 'The Cross Cultural Christian', by Stuart Buchanan

Three websites to check out:- Faith Matters, another organisation working towards conflict resolution and cohesion. It currently has available to download 'Our Faiths and Our Shared Futures' a resource from Derby to help develop a local narrative against extremism.
Also, keep up to date with opportunities for churches to make the most of the Olympics in 2012 in terms of outreach, hospitality and service with More than Gold,
Thirdly, New Philanthropy Capital offering a wealth of advice under the strapline 'Helping charities and funders do good, better.

On the subject of doing good better I have available a paper 'The Impact of Equality Leglisaltion on Faith Communities and Faith-based Organisations' which can be emailed (or even posted) on request to
pen@theology-centre.org

The British & Irish Association for Mission Studies, BIAMS, is holding a day conference at St Philip's Centre, 2a Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB on Wednesday 3rd November on Extremism/Mission: Responses to racist, religious and political zeal. See the BIAMS website for details of how to register and speakers etc.

Following on from 'Interfaith Encounter from an Evangelical Perspective', St Ethelburga's is hosting 'An Evangelical-Muslim Dialogue' on Tuesday 23rd November at 7.30pm. Dr Chawkat Moucarry and Rashad Ali will be in conversation. See the St Ethelburga's website for more details.

In Reading, Churches Together in Berkshire are hosting a Youth Inter-Faith Conference on Thursday 25th November from 5.30 until 9.00pm. Dr Eleanor Nesbitt is the keynote speaker at 'Who Am I? Religious Identity and Young People'. Venue is Friends Meeting House, 2 Church Street, Reading RG1 2SB. email ctberks@btconnect.com or call Richard Christopher 0118 966 850 for more details.

Lastly don't forget the PEN conference Seek the Welfare of the City at the end of November - see you there.

Making Money or Making a Difference - are they opposed?

FiLE (Faiths in London's Economy) is inviting responses ( of 25 words or less) to this question. They will be posted on a new blogspot http://renegotiatingvalue.blogspot.com . This is linked to the Renegotiating 'value' series of seminars exploring the benefit and challenge of faith traditions in leading sustainable business.
The second seminar is on Thursday 4th November at St Martins Hall, St Martins in the Fields (Trafalgar Square WC2N4JJ) between 4 - 6.30pm. Bonus vs Pro Bono seeks to explore the value of inspirational leadership in business with speakers Peter Hyson (Change Perspectives Ltd), Bruce Irvine (Grubb Institute) and Baroness Uddin.
For more details go to http://renegotiatingvalue.blogspot.com to submit a response to the question or to register for the seminar email jonathan.evens@btinternet.com (Registration fee £5)

The Changing Estate

Effective 'presence and engagement' requires Christians to understand our changing contexts.  The National Estates Churche Network invites you to an event on the changing shape of housing estates.  The event will be held on one such estate - Temple Hill, Dartford in the Thames Gateway.   The Changing Estate runs from 10am-3pm on Wednesday 13th October. 

Seek the Welfare of the City: hopeful imagination & prophetic practice in urban mission and ministry

Booking is now open for this two day event 25th - 26th November 2010.
Earthed in practice this is an oportunity to reflect on urban mission and ministry through a mix of case studies, keynote speaches and panel discussions.

The venue for the first day is Holy Trinity Brompton. The keynote speaker is Bishop Doug Miles, Koinonia Baptist Church, Baltimore. Panel topics are:- Missional church in practice; Christian Social enterprise - developing sustainable & resilient forms of social welfare provision; Urban spirituality and discipleship - beyond the rural and the monastic. The plenary with discussion will be chaired by Jane Williams.

The venue for day two is St Paul's Hammersmith. The keynote speaker is The Rt Revd John Inge. Panel topics are Christian social and political engagement in multi-faith contexts and a roundtable and plenary discussion of Christianity & Contemporary Politics: The Conditions and Possibilites of Faithful Witness by Luke Bretherton.
Worship leaders inlude Rt Revd & Rt Hon Richard Chartres.
A host of experienced practioners and speakers will be contributing including; Francis Davis, Russ Rook, John Hayes, David Ford, Nigel Biggar, Maeve Sherlock and Bernd Wannenwetsch.

The event cost £25 for one day £45 for two. To book, and for more details, go to www.htb.org.uk/events/seek-welfare-city

This event is organised jointly by PEN (as a project of The Contextual Theology Centre): the Faith & Public Policy Forum, King's College London and St Mellitus College (the diocese of London and Chelmsford's theological and ordination training institute) and continues a developing pattern of joint ventures which resource and equip the church across London through theological education.

Sharing the Gospel of Salvation

Following the General Synod debate in February 2009, the House of Bishops was asked to produce a report on their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain's multi-faith society. Sharing the Gospel of Salvation is that report.

On Thursday 2nd September, Dr John Azumah, Director if the Centre for Islamic Studies, London School of Theology will give a keynote address responding to the report. A guest panel; The Revd Jan Ainsworth, The Revd CAnon Dr Jane Freeman and The Revd Mark Poulson will share their reactions and all will repsond to questions from the floor. The event is chaired by The Revd Dr Toby Howarth who helped with the writing of the report.

The event takes palce in the Gary Weston Library, Southwark Cathedral at 6.30pm. There will be a nominal charge of £5 payable on the door. It is advisable to book via the PEN Coordinator pen@theology-centre.org or 020 7780 1600

Citizens of Two Kingdoms:Life in the Global Village

We have been singing the praises of the Awareness Foundation's materials for a while now. Here is an opportunity to sample the course for yourself (or encourage others to).
Over eight Wednesdays beginning Wednesday 15th September, Kings Cross Ecumenical Partnership will host the study course at 'Lumen' United Reformed Church (where Tavistock Place meets Regent Square - WC1H 9RS) from 10.30am until 12 noon. This first module introduces the issues that challenge Christian Faith Communities as citizens of a 21st Century 'global village'.

Participants are asked to commit to the whole course and will receive their course booklet at the first session.

Fr Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foudnation is to preach to local church and student groups on Monday 18th October at 7 pm at 'Lumen' as part of One World Week activities.

Two New Resources to check out

The Archbishop of Canterbury's Building Bridges Seminar for Christian and Muslim ScholarsThis annual gathering, hosted by the Archbishop has been running since 2002. Details of the participants, publications arising from the meetings and details of dates and venues are now all on a one stop website run by the Berkley Center, Georgetown University.

Sharing the Gospel of Salvation
Following a General Synod debate in February 2009, the House of Bishops was asked to produce a report on their understanding of the uniqueness of Christ in Britain's multi-faith society. Sharing the Gospel of Salvation is that report which is now freely available on the Church of England website
On Thursday 2nd September, Dr John Azumah, Director of the Centre for Islamic Studies, London School of Theology will give a keynote address responding to the report and a panel of guests including The Revd Mark Poulson and The Revd Canon Dr Jane Freeman will share their reactions and all will respond to questions from the floor. This PEN event will be held in the Gary Weston Library, Southwark Cathedral, at 6.30pm. There will be a nominal charge of £5. To reserve a place or for more information please contact the PEN Coordinator via pen@theology-centre.org or 020 7780 1600

Advance notice of major conference

As part of the Contextual Theology Centre, PEN is organising a major conference in November.  Seek the Welfare of the City: Hopeful imagination & prophetic practice for urban mission and ministry will be held on 25th and 26th November.  The first day will be at Holy Trinity Brompton, and the second day will include a keynote address by the Rt Revd John Inge (Bishop of Worcester) and a roundtable discussion on Luke Bretherton's new book on Christianity and Contemporary Politics involving David Ford and Nigel Biggar.

Full details of speakers, venues and how to book will be posted in the summer.

UPDATE: The venues have been confirmed as Holy Trinity Brompton for 25th and St Paul's, Hammersmith for 26th.  Bookings will open later in the summer.

New MA in Christian Muslim Relations

New for September/October 2010 at the Centre for Islamic Studies, London School of Theology. The programme aims at equipping students with the academic, theological, exegetical and practical tools to be active and confident participants in the field of Christian Muslim relations.

The MA can be studied full-time over 12 months or part-time over 24-36 months. Taught study is arranged in 2 semesters per academic year, each 15 weeks. The compulsory core module Engaging with the World of Islam will run throughout the year. (The over all cost of the MA is under £6,000)

The uniquness of this MA programme is a minimum 2 hours per week placement with a Muslim institution such as a mosque or college. Similarly students will undertake placement with selected Christian ministries and interfaith organisations to observe various approaches in Christian engagement.

For more details go to the LST website or contact Lisbet Diers lisbet.diers@lst.ac.uk

Two for June at St Mary-le-Bow

'Power to the People? A reflection on the general election in City and Nation'is the title of the next Cheapside Debate. Speakers will be Professor Peter Hennessey (Attlee Professor of Contemporary British History, Queen Mary, University of London) and Sir David Clementi (former Deputy Governor of the Bank of England, Chairman of the Prudential plc, Warden of Winchester College). Tuesday 22nd June at 1.05pm

The next JustShare Lecture on Christian Social & Political Thought will be given by the Revd Dr Paul Oestreicher (founding Chair of Amnesty International); his topic will be 'Is peace a delusion?' Wednesday 30th June at 6.05pm

Read all about it...

The Bridge, the newspaper of the Diocese of Southwark, has a centre spread on PEN this month - with examples of good practice from multi-religious contexts and suggested resources.  It's a great introduction to what 'Presence and Engagement' is all about - you can read it here.

Pilgrimage for Peace

The 25th Annual London Multi-faith Pilgrimage for Peace will be held this Saturday (5th June) - beginning at Westminster Cathedral at 9am.  You can download a leaflet with the full range of venues and events and a booking form (it is possible simply to turn up on the day, but booking in advance will help those organising - particularly if you wish to come to the lunch and/or afternoon tea).  The pilgrimage is sponsored by Westminster Interfaith, an agency of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Westminster.

Busting 10 Myths re Fundraising

Ensuring a level playing field:funding faith-based organisiations to provide publicly funded services

The Department for Communities and Local Government recently issued a myth busting document because, they say, "a number of myths surround the funding of faith-bases bodies to deliver publicly funded services and can obstruct the fair access of such bodies to public funding and tendering opportunities as part of the third sector.

As well as reassuring for those faith based organisations running projects it is a useful document to put before critics and obstructionists.

The document is downloadable at www.communities.gov.uk/documents/communities/pdf/15073411.pdf

South Asian Concern survey of Churches - Threat or opportunity?

This is the title on the press release sent out by South Asian Concern on publication of their survey results. The text continues...

Imigration was one of the key issues raised in this month's dramatic General Election. Its impact on British society has been significant, from food and fashion to business and politics. But what about the Church?

While some churches have been revitalised and new ones formed through the presence of ethnic minorities in their local areas, this does not generally apply to South Asians. The vast majority of the 2 million plus South Asisans in the UK regard the Church and Christianity as irrelvant to them*

How is the UK Church responding? Is it foing anything at all? This is what charity South Asian Concern, hoped to discover through its recent survey.

South Asian Concern will use the information from the survey to help churches reach out to South Asians. Ram Gidoomal, SAC Chairman, says "We have the opportunity to engage with the unreached here in out midst and - for some of us - at our doorstep!"

The survey confirms that while some churches are engaging with South Asians in a variety of ways, from Girls' Brigade to Bollywood nights, others are struggling to make inroads in their local South Asian communities.

A lask of understanding of Asian culture, apathy and a lack of resources were reasons given by churches for not being involved in specific outreach to South Asians. Cultural issues that hindered engagement included the common perception among South Asians that Christianity is the same as Western culture, the place of religion in South Asian identity, as well as family and community pressures.

But some churches are overcoming these challenges and seeing fruit. The importance of prayer was evident in the survey, both in motivating churches to reach out and in creating opportunitites. Churches involved in outreach to South Asians were more likely to pray for them. Those not involved were less likely to pray.

Taking time to build realtionships were also key. Visiting people at home was more common amongst churches actively engaging with South Asians than holding English classes or youth clubs. Relationships could help people make the transition from bridge building activities, like parent and toddler groups, to deeper engagement with the church, such as attending worship services and exploring the claims of Christ.

For the survey report including all the data from the returned surveys, please contact South Asian Concern: info@southasianconcer.org Also visit their website www.southasianconcern.org

*There are an estimated 75,000 Christians of South Asian origns in the UK, less than 4% of the total South Asian population.

Presence and Engagement in a Multi Faith World

St Philip's Centre, Leicester continues its quality training programme with this three day course.

28 - 30th September 2010

• How can we learn from other faiths but also be aware of our own distinctiveness?
• What is an appropriate approach to mission within a multi faith world?
• How do we account for the evident goodness and piety we see in people of other faiths?
• What of issues of Truth ... of Grace ... of Salvation?

The Course includes visits in Leicester and to the Islamic Foundation, Markfield.

The cost, including lunch and refreshments is £120 or £156 resident with local clergy (other accomodation at nearby hotel can be arranged by the centre). Contact admin@stphilipscentre.co.uk 0116 273 3459 for bookings and more details.

St Philip's Centre, 2A Stoughton Drive North, Leicester LE5 5UB
easy bus ride from Leicester station

InSpiRe:The Centre for Initiatives in Spirituality and Reconciliation

The Centre, based at St Mary's Univeristy College Twickenham, announces its inaugural conference 29th June - 3rd July 2010
In conjunction with St Ethelburga's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace, London; The Centre of Religions for Reconciliation and Peace at The University of Winchester and Pax Christi, UK.

The conference will explore the promise of spirituality in the service of reconciliation with special reference to contemporary issues. It will be a forum for those working in these areas and provide an opportunity for scholarly interchange.

Speakers include Profs Paul Clarke, Dan Cohn-Sherbok, Mary Grey, Lisa Isherwood, Nur Masalha, Rabbi Michael Lerner and Dr David Tombs.

For costs and booking contact InSpiRe Administrator, Dr Stephen Bullivant inspire@smuc.ac.uk and for more on the centre see www.smuc.ac.uk/inspire

Interfaith Encounter From An Evangelical Perspective

Thursday 8th July at St Ethelburgas's Centre for Reconciliation and Peace 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG

A stunning line up of speakers contribute to this day long (9.30 - 16.15) event which seeks to

• open up a space for discussing challenges, opportunities and concerns of engaging in interfaith dialogue
• understand Evangelical approaches to other faiths
• look at biblical and theological foundations for interfaith encounter
• get to know Evangelical interfaith activities
• support Evangelical parishes in building relationships with other faiths

Event fee: £7/£15 (incl. lunch, tea/coffee)
To register contact Christoph Kiworr christoph@stethelburgas.org 020 7496 1617
or online at http://stethelburgas.org/consultation

This event is being held in connection with Edinburgh 2010 a multi-denominatioal and international project set up to commemorate the 1910 World Missionary Conference. The centenary Conference takes place in Edinburgh 2 - 6 June. The St Ethelburga's event is part of the 2010.global initiative.

Space for Grace

Thursday 24th June

St Augustine's Church

117 Queen's Gate

London SW7 5LW

The speaker, Giles Goddard, is vicar of St John's Church Waterloo and chair of Inclusive Church. His overriding hope is that the gospel of God's generous welcome through Jesus can be heard loud and clear in London. He has written "Space for Grace - Creating Inclusive Churches" about his experience in an inner city parish near the Elephant and Castle. He formerly worked for housing associations, and he believes that faith should be lived out not just through church but through social action, living for justice, arts and politics.

6.30pm for 7.45pm. Entrance is £7 including supper

This is a Nested event. Contact Julian Whiting, Events Director, for more information julian@nested.org.uk 07899 723620

Urban Church Buildings as Liturgical and Community Space

Saturday 12th June 10.30am - 12.30 and lunch

What theological assumptions lie behind the different ways Anglican parishes order and maintain their buildings? How does the Holy - sacred, the numinous - relate to mission and community engagement? How do theology and the pastoral, liturgical, management and financial realities of parish experience bear on each other?

Four brief presentations from East London parishes:-

• St Luke's Great Ilford (early 20th century building, community centre of site)


• All Saints, West Ham (large Norman church, construction of community facilities in progress)


• St Barnabas Manor Park (large church designed by Sir Ninian Comper)


• St Michael & All Angels, Manor Park (1980s purpose-built church and community centre, replacing a large Victorian church)

will be followed by an overview of how church buildings have been adapted for community use in the Borough of Newham.

Common theological threads will be drawn from the ensuing discussion and may form the basis of future related events. Although the presenters are clergy it is hoped that lay people will also attend and contribute.

St Barnabas Church, Browning Road, London E12 6PB
( Tube - East Ham on the District line or Manor Park or Woodgrange Park mainline stations or 147 Ilford to Canning town bus.)

The event is free as part of St Barnabas' patronal celebrations.
Please contact James Ramsay ramsay.jas@gmail.com for further details or to express interest in attending (this will ensure adequate catering)

London Inter Faith Centre Open House

Sorry, this event has had to be cancelled due to insufficient take up.

For over ten years the London Inter Faith Centre has offered a two year certificate in inter faith relations. On Tuesday 8th June there is an opportunity to

• find out more about the course


• share experience of and insights in inter faith expereince


• enjoy music from Mo Nazaaam of 'Berakah'
  

To ensure there are enough refreshments to go around plese email Joe on info@londoninterfaith.org.uk if you are planning to attend.

The centre is at 125 Salusbury Road, London NW6 6RG

The One with the Rabbi, Priest and Imam(chaired by an Agnostic) .......

King's College London's Denmark Hill Chaplaincy presents Difference and Damnation:Why We Do NOT believe the Others are Bound for Hell.

A controversy-facing discussion with Rabbi Debbie Young-Somers (West London Synagogue), Imam Mamadou Bocoum (Muslim College) and the Revd. Patrick Morrow (campus chaplain) chaired by agnostice Philosopher Dr Mark Vernon.

Thursday 3rd June 5.30 - 7.00pm The Wolfson Lecture Theatre, Western Education Centre 10 Cutcombe Road London SE5 9RJ (by King's College Hospital) Vegetarian refreshements served from 5.15pm.

Congregations, Citizens and Politics

Churches involved in Citizens UK had an eventful General Election - working with mosques, synagogues and temples to advance a broad-based agenda of social and economic issues.  The alliance held a 2500-person assembly with the three main party leaders just days before the election.

The Jellicoe Blog contains video footage of the assembly - and ongoing coverage on the long-term work of holding the politicians to their promises.  There will be opportunities to reflect on the engagement of churches in citizen organising at two forthcoming talks.  Dr Luke Bretherton (who negotiated with David Cameron at the assembly) will give a lecture at Heythrop College on 20th May, while Revd Angus Ritchie (who presented the case for a Living Wage to Gordon Brown) will lead a seminar at the Royal Foundation of St Katharine on 21 June.

New book on Workplace Chaplaincy

Bridgebuiders: Workplace Chaplaincy – A History
Malcolm Torry (Canterbury Press, Pbk £19.99, ISBN 9781 848250369)

‘Workplace chaplaincy’ is the term that covers the church’s outreach to the economy. Today, it takes many forms and is supported by many local ecumenical partnerships. Chaplains can be found in supermarkets, at airports, in industry, among glittering tower blocks in business districts.

Malcolm Torry tells the stories of the movement’s origins, starting with the first record of priests in a place of work – on board naval ships in the reign of Henry VIII. He traces the established church’s often tenuous relationship with the working classes and the profound changes in that relationship that occurred during World War 1 and 2, the subsequent growth of industrial mission, and today’s challenge of an increasingly secularized society.

Published in partnership with the Industrial Mission Association, this is a theological handbook for all involved in contemporary mission among people at work, or in any way concerned about how faith impacts on the economy, workplace ethics, unemployment, recession and other key issues affecting peoples’ lives today.

Jewels in His Crown the National Event

Following the Day Conference in London in January there will be a Jewels in His Crown Weekend Conference: Which Way the UK Asian Church? at The Hayes, Swanwick 25-27 June 2010 This is an all-age conference for everyone engaged in ministry amongst British Asians and Asian Churches and it will look as different ways for worship, such as - Multicultural Church, Asian Fellowships, Youth Culture, Christ Followers, House Church, Satsang, Traditional Church, Yesubhaktas and Followers of Isa Al-Masih. Speakers Pastor G I Ebenezer, Kumar Rajagopalan, Clive Thorn. Details and postal booking http://www.jewelsinhiscrown.co.uk/ Online booking: www.globalconnections.co.uk/jihc

Election 2010

Archbishop Emeritus, Desmond Tutu once said "When people say the Bible and politics don't mix, I don't know which Bible they are referring to. It's not the one I've been reading." Which suggests that to ignore politics altogether on the grounds that we are far too busy (Bible reading) is not an option. How might we encourage ourselves and congregations to engage positively with the General Election in the face of media overkill? There are number of resources available:
Faith in Politics: Preparing Churches for the General Election 2010 (on the CTBI website) is a good place to start. From there you can download a guide to planning a hustings meeting or explore how to phrase questions to candidates on the doorstep.
King's College London's Faith & Public Policy Forum runs a series of seminars. The next is on Tuesday 13th April 2010, entitled Muslim Londoners:Tackling Terrorism and Islamaphobia with speaker Dr Robert Lambert MBE. Click link for more dates and details and transcripts of previous seminars.

If books are your thing there are a number of recently published topical titles:-

Richard Harries (former Bishop of Oxford, now Lord Harries of Pentregarth) offers Faith in Politics? Rediscovering the Christian Roots of our Political Values
(Darton Longman and Todd ISBN 978-0-232-52787-2)
From the same publishers comes
Faithful Citizens: A Practical Guide to Catholic Social Teaching
and Community Organising by Austen Ivereigh
(ISBN 978-0-232-52789-6)
Nick Spencer and Jonathan Chaplin's God and Government is published by SPCK, with foreword by the Archbishop of Canterbury (ISBN 978-0-281-06071-9)
Also from SPCK Votewise Now! - helping Christians Engage with the Issues, edited by Rose Lynas with foreward by Joel Edwards

For a shorter read visit the Diocese of St Alban's website and read Bishop Alan Smith's article Don't be apathetic:vote! which concludes with a topical prayer

Archbishop Rowan on uniqueness of Christ

In a lecture given in Guildford Diocese earlier this month, Archbishop Rowan reflected on, and reaffirmed, Christian belief in 'the uniqueness and finality of Jesus Christ':

We are very rightly suspicious of proselytism, of manipulative, bullying, insensitive approaches to people of other faith which treat them as if they knew nothing, as if we had nothing to learn and as if the tradition of their reflection and imagination were of no interest to us or God. God save us from that kind of approach. But God save us also from the nervousness about our own conviction which doesn't allow us to say that we speak about Jesus because we believe he matters. We believe he matters because we believe that in him human beings find their peace. Their destinies converge and their dignities are fully honoured. And all the work that we as Christians want to do for the sake of convergent human destiny and fullness of human dignity has its root in that conviction that there is no boundary around Jesus – that what he is and does and says and suffers is in principle liberatingly relevant to every human being; past, present and future.

The full lecture is here

Up and Coming in April & May

The Numbers Game: Britain's Changing Demographic and its Implications for Christian-Muslim Relations Saturday 24th April Centre for Islamic Studies, London School of Theology, Green Lane, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2UW. Speakers: Ben White - "Britain's Changing Demographics: Discerning Facts from Fears"; Dr Jenny Taylor - "The impact of Immigrant religious Activism and Government Policies on Interfaith Relations"; and Dr Jabal Muhammad Buaben "The Numbers Game: A Muslim perspective on Immigration and Integration. Registration at 9.30 and the conference finishes at 15.30. The cost is £20 to include cooked lunch (£10 for senior citizens or for groups fo 6 or more). The day will be chaired by The Rt Revd Michael Nazir-Ali. For further information or to book contact Lisbet Diers on 01923 456160 or lisbet.diers@lst.ac.uk

BOOK LAUNCH

Bridgebuilders: Workplace chaplaincy - a history, by Malcolm Torry. Monday 26th April 6.00pm at Trinity House, 4 Chapel Court, Borough High Street, London SE1. Published by Canterbury Press it will cost £20 but is available for £15 on the night.If you would like to attend contact Revd Malcolm Torry on 0208 858 3006 or malcolm@torry.org.uk

Test of Faith THE TOUR comes to London on Wednesday 19th May. Presented by Paternoster and the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion the Test of Faith explores the science-faith debate. Scientists and theologians unpack key issues. The London venue is the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity, St Peter's Vere Street, London W1G 0DQ. Tickets, £5 from www.faraday-institute.org/pentecost or 01223 741 281

Guidance on Far Right Political Parties

Drawing on experience from a wide range of contexts, the Church of England has published some very helpful guidance on Countering far right political parties, extremist groups and racist politics.    It includes practical advice on holding election hustings; dealing with elected representatives of extremist groups, and developing long-term strategies - as well as statements by the Church of England's leaders and governing bodies, and suggested reading.

Building up Believers from Different Faith Backgrounds

Global Connections - part of the Evangelical Missionary Alliance - is holding a conference in Wembley on 25th February on Crossing Frontiers: Growing in a New Faith.  Details are online here

Living with other faiths Training Morning

 





Thursday 11th February in the Chapter Room, Southwark Cathedral, close to London Bridge Station.A morning with The Revd Jonathan Evens, author of Living with other faiths, to explore ways of using the material. The session will begin prompt at 10.00am and end at 12 noon. Refreshments will be served mid morning. There will be a charge of £5 payable on the day.
Please advise PEN Co-ordinator, Susanne Mitchell if you plan to attend.
Email pen@theology-centre.org or telephone 0207 780 1600.
All are welcome especially if you are involved in preparing or leading bible and other Christian study groups.
We have recently mailed clergy in all four of our sponsoring Dioceses (Chelmsford, London, Rochester and Southwark) so that every parish should have access to at least one copy of these resources on a CD ROM. The CD contains other Presence & Engagement Resources. Further copies are available from Susanne, contact details above.

Engagements for January

The PEN Coordinator is continuing a programme of visits across Greater London collecting stories from parishes and chaplaincies to share via our website. We will publish details of some PEN events here in the next few days. Meanwhile we are happy to flag up the following from network members:-
Storytelling at London Inter Faith Centre
Sunday 17 January, 3-5 pm
Hanna Yaffe, the Israeli musician and storyteller, will be joined by a Christian colleague and by a Sufi colleague. They will share some of their exciting recent work at a storytelling session at the Centre. All welcome; no charge. For further information, please contact info@londoninterfaith.org.uk
and at the same venue
Healing Families – Healing Communities
Monday 18 January, 10 am – 2 pm
Workshop on whether our scriptures and faith traditions can offer constructive help or support to the troubles facing families in today’s world. Led by Shaykha Halima Krausen, Imam, German-speaking congregation at Hamburg Mosque and by the Revd Dr Ann Jeffers, Senior Lecturer, Heythrop College, University of London. All welcome; no charge. Organized by the Christian-Muslim Forum in connection with An-Nisa Society and the London Inter Faith Centre. To book a place, email info@christianmuslimforum.org or ring 020 7820 0444.
Two JustShare Events
Tuesday 26th January, 1.00pm, debate, ‘Could the Recession slow down climate change?’ at the church of All Hallows by the Tower, Byward Street, EC3R 5BJ. The speakers will be Greg Barker MP (Shadow Minister for Climate Change) and Mark Lynas (Environmentalist and author of High Tide, Fragile Earth, Carbon Counter and Six Degrees).
Wednesday 27th January, 6.05pm Lecture in the series - Christian Social & Political Thought, at St Mary-le-Bow. The Revd Canon Professor Nicholas Sagovsky (Canon Theologian at Westminster Abbey) will address the topic ‘The City of God and the City’.
All welcome at both events contact matthewpower@stmarylebow.org.uk for more information.