Presence and Engagement titles from Grove Books

Grove books recently issued the following list of titles issued in recent years which are relevant to those in  multi fatih contexts or thinking through some of the issues and opportunities that arise in such contexts.

All titles are £3.95, are post free within the UK and can be purchased online or by email sales@grovebooks.co.uk

Y14 My Friend Imran: Christian-Muslim Friendship by Andrew Smith
By exploring how having Muslim friends can influence Christians Andrew Smith opens up a discussion which seeks to find biblical resources to inform and shape encounters between Christian and Muslim young people.  ISBN: 9781851747160
P122 Multiethnic Church: A Case Study of an Anglican Diocese by Delbert Sandiford
As church attendance by white people has fallen, attendance by black and minority ethnic groups (BME) has increased, and they now make up 17% of church attendance in England. Alongside the New Testament's vision of ethnic inclusion, this makes the issue of BME representation in the church's structures and leadership impossible to ignore. This study shows how one Anglican diocese addressed the issues, the successes and challenges, and the lessons learnt. ISBN: 9781851747603
eD4 Church Schools in a Multi-faith Community by Peter French
This study considers the theological issues concerning multi-faith schools and then looks at the example of three schools in contrasting situations, drawing out conclusions from examples of good practice.
ISBN: 9781851747634
P85 The Churches and 'Race': A Pastoral Approach by David Haslam
The issue of racism is as much an issue for the churches as for society. Drawing on his long involvement in discussions about racism, the author engages with some of the key questions involved and sets out the scale of the challenge to the churches. ISBN: 1851744584
P48 Better Will Come: A Pastoral Response to Institutional Racism in British Churches by Maurice Hobbs
ISBN: 1851741992
B47 The Bible Through Muslim Eyes—and a Christian Response by Colin Chapman
This fascinating study looks at Muslim expectations concerning scripture, and explains why Christians view the Bible differently from how Muslims view the Qur'an. As such it is a powerful aid to opening dialogue.
ISBN: 9781851746811
S99 Learning from How Muslims See Christianity by David Marshall
This intriguing booklet offers us a challenge. Will we dare to 'see ourselves as others see us' and learn from it? Are we prepared to be taught by Muslims how to be better Christians? ISBN: 1851746404
W117 Interfaith Worship and Christian Truth by David Bookless
Are there occasions when Christians should worship with those of other faiths? This booklet looks at the variety of situations where the issue may be raised, from national tragedy, through school assemblies, to local pastoral and evangelistic encounters. ISBN: 1851741828

December Update

NEWS

The Office for National Statistics today released data for religious populations from 2011 Census.The statistics will be adjusted for parish boundaries over the next two months but you will be able to gain a basic impression of your local area from the numbers for your local authority. More stats details.The Director of the Contextual Theology Centre has posted a comment and Andy Mathews, an intern at St Peter's Bethnal Green, offers an example of how this information can be put to good Presence and Engagement use. All of which points towards a seminar afternoon,  Making Sense of the Census, which  PEN is arranging for Monday February 18th,  at Trinity House, Chapel Court, Borough High Street, SE1 1HW. Exact times and programme will be published early in the new year.

In other news..........RESOURCES AND COURSES 

The Anglican Communion has commissioned a report  'Land of Promise' which explores Christian Zionism and  attitudes to Israel in general. It is available to download from the Forum for Discussion on Israel and Palestine (Fodip)

The Christian Muslim Forum launched two new resources this month; When Two Faiths meet - pastoral and practical support for couples from differing faiths and The Edge Report see our earlier blog 

The latest meeting between a delegation from the Anglican Communion and from Al Azhar Al Sharif, Egypt, known as the Al Azhar dialogue, took place last month and the communique has been published. The 10th meeting, in Cairo, was the first since the revolution - the last meeting (in London) having been curtailed by the need for the Grand Imam to be in Egypt. The dialogue committee praised the al-Azhar Declaration on the Future of Egypt which promotes the need to guarantee the rights and responsibilities of all citizens. The document outlines that in accepting the rights of citizenship, the citizen also accepts the responsibility to share in the development of society and to work for peace and the welfare of all.

The Cambridge Inter Faith Programme have just launched a new Scriptural Reasoning website and opened applications for their 2013 Summer School (applications by 1st February)

The University of Cardiff's Centre for the Study of Islam in the UK (CSI-UK) has announced the jameel scholarship programme for 2013/14

Paideia The European Institute for Jewish Studies in Sweden advises that The applications for the One Year Jewish Studies Program 2013/2014 is now open but the deadline for applications is 15th January.

Theos has three new reports out Post Religious Britain?The faith of the faithless; From Goodness to God: Why Religion Makes Sense of our Moral Commitments and Religion and Law The middle title is by our own Canon Dr Angus Ritchie and the debate at the LSE which launched it is available

The Building Bridges Christian-Muslim Seminars series has a new volume published, Science and Religion: Christian and Muslim perspectives, use the link for details.

Check the blog in early January for news of up coming events.

The PEN Lecture



Two New Resources Launched by the Christian Muslim Forum

The Christian Muslim Forum recently launched two important new resources the use of which extends beyond bilateral faith relationships.

When Two Faiths Meet; Marriage, Children and Pastoral care - Ethical Principles
This is a ten commandments for good practice along the lines of their previous Ethical Witness Guidelines and then some. For over fifteen years the Inter Faith Marriage Network and the Muslim-Christian Marriage Support Group have worked to address some of the pastoral and practical issues that arise when couples come together from different faith backgrounds. This new resource offers reflections on the Ethical Principles and guidance on how they might be implemented locally. It can be downloaded or
if you would like a hard copy please contact the Christian Muslim Forum know. Copies are £5 each and for each copy sold theywill give £1 to the Inter Faith Marriage Network. Read what the Independent had to say about the launch 'How Christians and Muslims can marry – the official guide'.

The Edge Report 2012  Explores Christian and Muslim Women's Perspectives as illustrated in a number of projects and conversations happing through 2012 in seven towns and cities where Near Neighbours operates. Their expiences show that "though we might fear coming to the edge of our comfort zone, our knowledge, our expereince, if we push out we can indeed fly." These women found that the co-operations powerful friendships formed could be transformational to their communities. Download the report or contact the Christian Muslim Forum for a hard copy.

November Update

New Initiatives & updates on existing ones

Nothing Holy about Hatred A forum inviting faith and community leaders and members  to sign a pledge decrying homophobia and the harm it causes.

Campus  Lokahi Grew out of the project Campusalam which began in 2008. Promoting understanding by building stronger bridges between student societies and university administration around issues of values and belief it is set to launch an online campus resource in 2013.

A Year of Service This weekend some tree and hedge planting events in St Albans related to Mitzvah Day. See the Year of Service Events Page or email info@ayearofservice.org.uk

I have been reminded that Chelmsford is one of the few Cathedrals to have a worked out and published policy on inter faith work.

PEN works within the umbrella of the Contextual Theology Centre . CTC produces a weekly blog on the forthcoming Sunday Gospel reading In a recent blog on Advent events and news you will find resources on faith and social action, details of a debate on the religious foundations of morality and the Rt Revd Dr Justin Welby's support for the Living Wage. CTC also has the latest on Near Neighbours projects in London.

Events

Friday 16th November at SOAS, Russell Square: College Buildings Rm 4418; 5.00-7.00pm The Sufi Factor in Pakistan Islamism - Dr Alix Philppon. Contact centres@soas.ac.uk or 0207 898 4893/2 9 Also see their series of music events latest email musicevents@soas.ac.uk or 0207 898 4500

Tuesday 20th November Roman Catholic Diocese of Westminster's Faith Matters, last in the  Autumn series Finding God in other Cultrures and Religions 7.00 - 8.30pm in Westminister Cathedral Hall. Thisis an open event but to be sure of a place email faithmatters@rcdow.org.uk or 0207 931 6078 or online Free but suggested donation £3

Thursday 22nd November 5pm Woolf Institute Centre for Muslim-Jewish Relations lecture for Inter Faith Week, Westminster College Cambridge  Bridging the Great Divide:Teaching the Abrahamic Faiths Prof Akbar Ahmed, see details

Thursday 22nd November 6 - 11pm, The Red Gallery, 3 Rivington Street, EC2A 3DT, Festival Night from the Three Faiths Forum part of their Urban Dialogues 2012 series which runs 2st November - 1st December. Follow the Urban Dialogues link, above, for full details.

Tuesday 27th November  10.00am - 6.00pm (registration 9.15am) Day Conference  at the Centre for Eastern Christianity, Heythrop College. The Life and Thought of Louis Massignon (1883-1962): Comparative political and theological perspectives,  £20, book through j.flannery@heythrop.ac.uk or  see details

Tuesday 27th November 7pm Balham and Tooting Community Association (BATCA) a social get together with food for those of different faiths and cultures to celebrate Eid, Diwali and Christmas (sponsored by local traders)  at Jasmin's Banqueting Suite, 202 Upper Tooting Road SW17 7EW Free but  contact Kate Allan allanraallan@aol.com so they know how many to cater for.

Tuesday 27th November 6.30 - 9.00pm (for Christian and Muslim women) Christian Muslim Forum  launches the Come to the Edge Report at St Ethelburga's 78 Bishopsgate, London EC2N 4AG Contact Siriol Davies, siriol.davies@southwark.anglican.org or Tasneem Husain, tasneem.husain@southwark.gov.uk

Tuesday 4th - Saturday 8th December Wimbledon Library Gallery, 1st floor, Wimbledon Library, Wimbledon Hill Road, London SW19 7NB Commission4Mission exhibition to launch itself in South Lnndon. The gallery is accessed via the Library, open 9.30am-7.00pm (2pm on Saturday)

Courses

Tuesday 27th November at St Philips Centre, 2A Stoughton Drive North, Leicester, LE5 5UB (Only an hour and a half from London)  Christian- Jewish Faith Study Day 11.00am - 4.15pm with Fiona Hulbert and Rabbi Mark Solomon. Contact the Centre for more details  Tel: 0116 273 3459

The Woolf Institute has published details of its e-learning programme which runs February to June 2013 Jews,Christians and Muslims in Europe:modern challenges. The course costs £350 and applications close on 1st February see details 

Resources

Jonathan Evens has two new books available:- The Secret Chord is a study of the role of music in cultural life, written through the prism of Christian belief. Covering a range of musical styles and influences, from gospel music to X Factor, the book seeks to draw the reader into a place of appreciation for what makes a moment in a 'performance' timeless and special. 

The Secret Chord is available from: Lul, ATF, Kindle UK, or Kindle US and, with Henry Shelton a second collection of images and meditations on the Passion of Christ. Their first collection - Mark of the Cross - is available as a download from 12baskets  while this second collection is available initially as a doubled-sided A3 sheet containing all 14 images, meditations and prayers see here The aim of this collection is to pare down the images and words to their emotional and theological core. The A3 format is designed for ease of devotional use. Copies of this collection, price is £3.50 plus p&p, can be ordered from jonathan.evens@btinternet.com.

Archbishop of Canterbury sends Diwali Greetings

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, has sent Diwali greetings to 'friends and co workers for peace in the Hindu communities'

The Archbishop reflects on the fourth ashrama or stage of life within Hinduism and the opportunities that older people in both Hinduism and Christianity have to deepen their spiritual commitment as worldly responsibilities are renounced or reduce.

Dr Williams mentions as one of the highlights of his dialogue with Hindu communities over the last ten years a visit to  the Sri Vallabha Nidhi temple in Leytonstone to meet those involved in the local Near Neighbours project.

The full text is on the Archbishop's website.

'Prison' - the play

Initiatives of Change present a showing of 'Prison' the one man play by Charlie Ryder
at The Initiatives of Change centre 24 Greencoat Place, Victoria, London SW1P 1RD
Date: Tuesday 20 November, 6.30 for 7pm (evening ends at 9pm)
Preceded by refreshments and followed by a Talkback panel discussion featuring:-
Charlie Ryder,
Micheal Kavanagh, Acting Head of Prison Chaplaincy
and Andrew Hillas, Assistant Chief Officer for Restorative Justice, London Probation Trust.
The Forum will be chaired by Anita Amendra, Sustainable Communities Project Manager, IofC UK.
RSVP to: reception@london.iofc.org  Tel: 020 7798 6000

Charlie Ryder is a Director, Producer, Filmmaker and Puppeteer. He currently works as an Outreach Worker at HMP Wormwood Scrubs Community Chaplaincy providing mentoring to support prisoners
on their release from prison.

The play is a true story told using puppetry, masks, physical theatre and dance to shine a light on his
eight months in prison after being involved in a violent protest against racism in October 1993. A moving performance depicting one man's traumatic story of prison.

October Update

Another busy month........so first some reminders about events already blogged:-

13th October - commission4mission Exhibition  the correct link this time!
17th October - Sharing Eden - Westminister Cathedral Inter Faith
23rd October - Why the Middle East Should Matter to Christians
24th October - 'A Common Word' five years on
September - November - His Story, Our Story: Jesus and the Storyteller's Art
26th - 27th October Non-Stop Turmoil or Global Spring
26th - 28th October 'The Spirituality of Dialogue' Retreat

Other Events 
Monday 15th October  Dr Iyad Zahalka - Qadi (Shari’a Judge) of the Shari’a Court, Jerusalem
In the Brunei Gallery (Room B202)at the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London
Thornhaugh Street, Russell Square, London, Greater London WC1H 0XG 6.00 – 7.30 pm
Qadi Zahalka will speak about his work as a judge of one of Israel’s Sharia courts and some of the challenges it involves. This is important for anyone who is interested in matters of law, Sharia law, Israeli society and its Arab citizens.
Thursday 18th October  Southwark Cathedral The Word in Dialogue: Inter-faith dialogue with Shaykh Ibrahim Mogra, Rabbi Natan Levy and Bishop Michael Ipgrave (part of a series bulding on last year's King Jame's bible celebrations) 7.30 - 9.00pm

Tuesday 23rd October Cheapside Debate at St Mary-le-Bow  Can We Afford Trident? with John Woodcock MP and Quentin Letts 1.05pm

Wednesday 24th October JustShare Lecture at St Mary-le-Bow  Prosperity Lost? -  A Christian perspective on the financial crisis and responsible capitalism with David McNair from Christian Aid 6.05pm

Issues
In a few weeks now elections will be held for Police Comissioners in some areas. The elected candidate will be responsible for running the police force in their locality. The Deputy Leader of the EDL is standing in Bedfordshire and Hope Not Hate is asking folk to be proactive with their Autumn Action Plan

NewsThe Theos Annual Lecture given by Archbishop Rowan Williams on 1st October is now available as a transcript or audio recording.

The Contextual Theology Centre has launched bi-monthly Community Bible studies for people interested in discussing theology, community and the struggle for justice in east London. Venues tbc next meeting Monday 3rd December 12 noon - 1pm in Departure

Lapido media have a new book out on Tablighi Jamaat , available from Amazon
Reports on the launch event at Frontline, to which the TJ came in numbers, are here and there’s a free sample of the book on the lapido website 

Vacancies
London Church Leaders are looking for a new Executive Officer from January (Elizabeth Simon has announced her retirement) Part-time post (28 hours) to sustain and develop work on behalf of senior church leaders in London working ecumenically on civic and social issues. Applications by 26 October. Interview mid/late November. Further information and application form available online from the London Churches Group website

Reminder
Inter faith Week and the final events in A Year of Service rapidly approach - check out the details.

Sharing Eden - Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group

Sharing Eden: Green teachings from Jews, Christians and Muslims, is the title of a handbook written by Natan Levy, David Shreeve and Harfiyah Haleem. The book ‘sets out to show how respect for the environment is at the heart of the Jewish, Christian and Muslim faiths’. It combines practical action points and ideas with reflections on key texts from sacred texts and from the wider writings of each tradition. Further information is available from www.sharingeden.org

The Westminster Cathedral interfaith group will be considering Green teachings from Jews, Christians and Muslims in a new series on “Faiths and the environment”. The group has been meeting for 6 years and the meetings will be held on the third Wednesday of the month from 4p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace on the right of the main entrance to Westminster Cathedral.  All are welcome and it would be helpful if you could read the book beforehand. Copies are available at £4.99 from http://www.sharingeden.org/  bookshops or Amazon.co.uk. The authors will be attending some of the sessions. Dates are October 17, November 21, January 16, February 20 and April 17. All are welcome Contact John Woodhouse 0790 8888 586 preferably by text for more details.

The Spirituality of Dialogue

Friday 26th October - Sunday 28th October 2012

A weekend retreat following in the footsteps of Bede Griffiths, Thomas Merton, and other Christians as they cross culturally traditional thresholds. We will explore themes of Christian hospitality, deep friendship, expressions of prayer and worship over the weekend.

Led by the Rev. Bonnie Evans-Hills, Anglican Priest & Inter Faith Adviser to the Bishop of Leicester, and Mary-Jane Burkett, a practicing Catholic who is Co-Director of St. Cuthman’s Retreat Centre and Inter Faith Advisor for the Diocese of Chichester.

The cost for the retreat is £170 full board. To book please call 01403 741220 or email: stcuthmans@dabnet.org.  For more information about St. Cuthman’s visit

St Martin in the Fields Autumn Education Series

All lectures take place at St-Martin-in-the-Fields Church from 7.00pm to 8.30pm. They are free and no booking is required. There will be a retiring collection to cover some of the costs of the programme. For more information go to www.smitf.org


Image is copyright The Estate of Stanley Spencer 2012 . All rights reserved DACS.

Awareness Foundation Special Lecture

Seminar Day at Centre for Christianity and Interreligious Dialogue

Centre for Christianity and Interreligious Dialogue

'A Common Word' five years on:

Leading Christians and Muslims consider the impact of this groundbreaking
document on Muslim-Christian relations.

24th October 2012 10.00am - 4.30pm

Loyola Hall
Heythrop College,
University of London,
Kensington Square,

London W8 5HQ.

Speakers:

Rev Dr Toby Howarth, Secretary for Inter-religious affairs to the Archbishop of Canterbury

Rev Dr David Marshall, Academic Director of the Building Bridges Seminar and Research Fellow of Georgetown's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace & World Affairs

Most Reverend Archbishop Kevin McDonald, Archbishop Emeritus of Southwark and Chairman of the Catholic Bishops' Conference Committee for Other Faiths and of the Committee for Catholic-Jewish relations

Dr Chris Hewer, Former Fellow in Christian-Muslim Relations, St Ethelburga, London.

Professor Tariq Ramadan, Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at Oxford University (Oriental Institute, St Antony's College), Visiting Professor at the Faculty of Islamic Studies, (Qatar), Senior Research Fellow at Doshisha University (Kyoto, Japan) and Director of the Research Centre of Islamic Legislation and Ethics (CILE) (Doha, Qatar).

Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad (Tim Winter), Shaykh Zayed Lecturer in Islamic Studies in the Faculty of Divinity at Cambridge University, Director of Studies in Theology at Wolfson College.

This study day is open to all. There is a charge of £15 to cover refreshments and a vegetarian lunch. Please pay on the day or send a cheque made out to ‘Heythrop College.’Current staff and students of Heythrop College may come free of charge.To book a place contact Dr Martin Ganeri, Director of CCID by email:

m.ganeri@heythrop.ac.uk



Archbishop of Canterbury sends Rosh Hashanah Greetings

The Archbishop of Canterbury has sent his traditional Rosh Hashanah greetings to Jewish friends and colleagues around the globe.
Reminding everyone that this will be his last such greeting as Archbishop, he speaks of the challenges that have arisen over the last ten years. Never the less there have been a strengthening of ties between the
Anglican and Jewish comunities inclluding, for him, some deep personal friendships.
This is also the 70th anniversary year of the Council of Christians and Jews.

He asks how the sense of community within individual synagogues and churches might be such as not to divide one from another. The full message can be read on the Archbishop's website.

L'Shana Tova

and you may also be interested in ..................







To book contact Natan Levy
natan.levy@bod.org.uk
T: 0207 543 5400

September Update

There is so much on at the moment that there's been a September events listing and a few other blogs since the August Update so do look back through and make sure you haven't missed anything. I hope to see you at The Tax Debate, Christ Church Spitalfields 7.00pm Thursday 13th September

Meanwhile news just in .........

The new season of Faith and Public Policy Forum seminars (organized by King's College London hosted in collaboration with Westminster Abbey) kicks off on Wednesday 26th September 12.30 -2.00pm Westminster Abbey Cheyneygates (via Dean's Yard). Professor Linda Woodhead, University of Lancaster, will speak on 'How to Restrict Religious Freedom' There is a light sandwich lunch provided but you do need to register for a ticket. Contact Dr Anna Rowlands for details of the rest of the programme and booking.

Monday 1st of October is the annual Theos lecture in Central Hall Westminster, SW1H 9NH. The Archbishop of Canterbury with speak on The person and the individual:human dignity, human relationships and human limits 6.30 for 7.00pm To register for this event please email hello@theosthinktank.co.uk  with 'Annual Lecture' in the subject line.

Thursday 4th Ocotber  a Project Mosaic lecture 6.30 for 7.00pm at Faraday House, 48 - 51 Old Gloucester Street, london WC1N 3AE Anti-Semitism and Islamophobia:Moving beyond old and new hatreds after 9/11  Speakers - Anthony Julius and Fiyaz Mughal OBE Tickets are free but space is limited.

Email info@projectmosaic.net  to reserve your place.

The next PEN lecture will  take place in early 2013

Scripture study and books at the London Inter Faith Centre
Their Texts to Live by Series continues on 14th Ocotber, then 18th November and 20th January
A new series of bible studies looking at the book of Joshua begins on Thursday September 20th 10.00am, register with maggie.hindley@londoninterfaithcentre.org.uk and on Tuesday 18th September there is a chance to consider chapter two of Arthua Nussbaum's The New Religious Intolerence at their book group session 12.30 - 2.00pm

Commission4mission have reminded us that the second Barking Episcopal Area Arts Festival will run from Saturday 6th - Sunday 14th October parallel to the Woodford Festival. Venues include St Mary's Woodford , All Saints Woodford Wells and St Paul's Woodford Bridge. The festival includes art, music, storytelling and poetry events with contributions from the Meljon Singers, Tim Cunningham, Jane Grell and Malcolm Guite see their website for more or conatct Commission4mission secretary Jonathan Evens

 Looking ahead..........

Monday 12th November: A study day with Dr Chris Hewer at the Milaap  Centre, Acre Road,
Kingston, KT2 6EE. His subject is The Shi'a prespective of Islam. Curry lunch is available at Milaap at a small charge but they will need to know numbers. If you are interested contact the PEN coordinator who will pass on your request.

Tax Justice Bus Comes to Spitalfields

This autumn, Christian Aid and Church Action on Poverty are joining forces to take the campaign for Tax Justice on the road, with a seven-week Tax Justice Bus Tour.

The bright red London bus is touring the length and breadth of Britain and Ireland, to promote the simple message: It’s time for Tax Justice for the poorest communities at home and globally.

On Thursday 13th September the bus comes to Christ Church Spitalfields. The Contextual Theology Centre is facilitating a Community Conversation around how local congregations might take practical steps towards economic justice. A panel of contributors chaired by Revd Canon Dr Giles Fraser will  kick start the discussion.
Board the bus from 6.30pm, main event in the church  runs 7-9pm

Panelists:-

Savior Mwamba – Executive Director, Centre for Trade Policy and Development, Zambia
Stephanie Lis – Institute of Economic Affairs
Revd Dr. Sabina Alkire – Director, Oxford Poverty & Human Development Initiative

Tax dodging costs lives. It effectively amounts to robbing the poor – in the UK and in poor countries – of the money that should be spent on education, health and welfare.

Opening up festivals and events to one another

This year there has been a focus on faith groups sharing their festivals particularly those with a community service element  under the heading A Year of Service

Two opportunities are coming up in the next few weeks

International Day of Peace 21st September Different countires and organisations mark this in a variety of ways. As it falls on Friday this year, Islamic centres and mosques across the UK and overseas will be taking a lead in their local communities in marking the day. Visitors will be invited to join them during or after Friday prayres (Salaatul-Jumu'a) to exchange messages of peace, to celebrate local peace-building activities and to enjoy the hospitality offered. If you would like to know if your local mosque is involved or how your local church can get involved you can contact the following
C Robertson - London Peace Network; A. Faliq - The Cordoba Foundation; S A Razawi Majilis-e-Ulama Europe; J.Bond Christian Muslim Forum via http://londonpeacenetwork.wordpress.com/friday-21-september/

Churches are asked to make an effort to partner up with other faith groups around their Harvest Festival.
As this is traditionally a time for giving and receiving the suggestion is that  faith groups might be invited to join together in giving to an appropriate cause - a local or international charity perhaps.
Another idea might be for your church to arrange a Harvest welcome meal for international students who may have recently arrived to study at nearby university orcollege. The challenge of adjusting to a new culture away from family and friends canbe huge. If you have a college near you why not work with the chaplain or student services to put on a welcome feast in a local church hall? Neighbours from other faithscould be invited to join with you in cooking tasty food for the students and providing ajoint welcome.
If you don't currently have links with other places of worhsip in your area now might be a good time to reach out. See The Year of Service websit.

10 essays on Christian theological engagement with Islam

originally given as papers at a series of seminars held at Campion Hall, Oxford in 2010 and 2011, supported by Georgetown University's Berkley Center for Religion, Peace, and World Affairs the essays can now be downloaded

The authors and titles are:-
David Marshall, “Muhammad in Contemporary Christian Theological Reflection”
Daniel A. Madigan SJ, “Revisionist Historiography and Christian Attitudes towards Muhammad”
David Marshall, “Roman Catholic Approaches to the Qur’ān since Vatican II”
Martin Whittingham, “‘Deciding by the Gospel’: Some Protestant Christian Responses to the Qur’ān since the Nineteenth Century”
Michael Ipgrave, “Provocation and Resonance: Sacramental Spirituality in the Context of Islam”
Catriona Laing, “Constance Padwick’s Study of Muslim Devotion: a Provocation to Christian Mission”
Gavin D’Costa, ‘Interreligious Prayer between Christians and Muslims’
Richard Sudworth, “Christian Responses to the Political Challenge of Islam”
Damian Howard SJ, “Islam and Christianity: on ‘Religions of Law’”
Gavin D’Costa, “Do Christians and Muslims Believe in the Same God? Reflections on Miroslav Volf’s Allah: A Christian Response”

There are also a number of questions for further reflection.

Questions can be addressed to  the organiser of the seminar series, Revd David Marshall (revdem63@yahoo.co.uk).

Lots on in September

Loads of events coming up in September some of which didn't make it in to the August update so here is a diary and some reminders.........

Sunday 9th September Fez: City of Saints - a Radical Middle Way Film, 11.30am Rich Mix Cinema, 35-37 Bethnal Green Road London E1 6LA

Monday 10th September - 12th September  Southlands College, University of Roehampton, 80 Roehampton Lane, London SW15 5SL Women, Authority and Leadership in Christianity and Islam bringing together academics and community organisers to explore key issues concerning the role of women in Christiainity and Islam today More information and link to booking Last Booking Date for this Event 3rd September 2012

Wednesday 12th - Thursday 13th September  Media City Uk, Salford Quays - BBC Religion & Ethics invite you to join RE:THINK 2012; a brand new festival designed to explore the essential issues of faith, philosophy and ethics across the multicultural landscape of Britain today.The festival promises to inspire with searching and provocative debate and will feature special festival editions of some of the BBC’s best-known religious output.  Sessions include:
• Professor Richard Dawkins in conversation with Dr Jonathan Sacks, The Chief Rabbi
• The Moral Maze (special Festival edition)
• The Big Questions with Nicky Campbell (special Festival edition)
Further info and bookings rethinkfestival@bbc.co.uk

Wednesday 12th  JustShare Lecture, 6.05pm at, St Mary le Bow Church EC2V 6AU "There is no wealth but life - the contrasts between financial, social and ecological wealth" with Molly Scott Cato

Thursday 13th Sept  St Ethelburga's Using personal storytelling in palliative care Reviewing the defining stories of our life is a natural and inescapable process when we are approaching our own death. This sensitive and highly rewarding training workshop with personal story experts - Roi Gal-Or . Aimed at hospice chaplains and others who work with the ill or dying. Info and booking

Sunday 16th September is Awareness Sunday 2012 www.awarenesssunday.com see how you can make a difference.

Wednesday 19th September 8.30pm The Ismaili Centre, 1 Cromwell Gardens, South Kensington, London SW7 2SL  The Awareness Foundation Annual Lecture Faith and Politics with Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt, Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi & The Revd Nadim Nassar. Book  020 7730 8830 or lecture@awareness-foundation.com

Non-stop Turmoil or Global Spring?

 - a cutting -edge conference in confusing times -

Jim Kenney, Founder and Director of the interreligious adult study centre Common Ground, Deerfield, near Chicago, was formerly the International Director for the Parliament of the World's Religions. He master-minded the groundbreaking gatherings of the Parliament in Chicago (1993) and Cape Town (1999) AND he is coming to the UK to lead three conferences based on his his book  Thriving in the Crosscurrent: Hope and Clarity in a Time of Cultural Evolutionary Sea Change (Quest Books 2010).

Friday 26th and Saturday 27th Ocotber 2012 at St Margaret's Church Lee, SE13 5EA contact Alan Race alan.race2@virignmedia.com 020 8852 8377
Saturday 3rd November 2012 at St Philip's Church Leicester LE2 1HN  contact Sonya Brown son.the.rev@me.com 0116 210 1744

'a chance for people of different religions and philosophies to hear about the evolution of religion and spirituality in a progressive way'

Human beings honoured before God - The Archbishop of Canterbury's Eid Greetings

The Most Revd Dr Rowan Williams has sent his traditional message of greeting to Muslim friends and fellow workers pointing out that this will be his last such before standing down as Archbishop of Canterbury.

Reviewing the last ten years of Christian Muslim realtions he says

"As I look back over the last ten years, it is clear that our relationship as Christians and Muslims has grown and deepened. it has not been an easy time, and there are huge challenges that we still face together. Nevertheless, we have learned how to quarry together the resrouces we have of a vision of human beings honuored before God. The word honour, I believe, is one we should learn to use more freely, and even extravagantly, when we talk about our human world. We honour human beings because God in his creation and in his dealings with beings honour them."

For the full text see The Archbishop's website

August Update

As the Olympic torch passed by St George the Martyr Church, Borough High Street, on 26th July, people from many different faiths gathered to celebrate and to make a pledge to seek the wellbeing of the city and to work together for the good of all who live there. The words of the pledge were inspired by the teaching of the faiths and can be seen here. You are invited to use the pledge in your locality. This was a Near Neighbours event, attended by The Rt Revd Michael Ipgrave, Bishop of Woolwich, and Baroness Hanham, Communities Mininster.

Other News
The Directory of Social Change is inviting nominations for 2012 Social Change Awards. These are designed to recognise those "working to achieve apositive change in society", and they are open to individuals, charities, community groups, funders, companies and public bodies. you can nominate yourself/organisation - deadline 9th September, or recommend others for nomination - deadline 2nd September. The public will vote in October. See www.socialchangeawards.co.uk.
From Near Neighbours two training opportunities for talented young adults in eastern London. The first for 18-25 years olds from any faith is a four day non residential scheme run by Catalyst in two London venues 17th,18th, 30th 31st Ocotober. The training is free but participants must be sponsored by their Priest, Pastor, Imam, Rabbi. If you would like to nominate someone contact Tim Clapton nearneighbours@theology-centre.org The second is a day event, on 3rd November, for 18-30 year olds from Christian of Hindu communities in the East End of London. Application to Tim Clapton (see above) by 24th September.

Events
Monday 1st October a training day for anyone planning a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. 10.30 am - 4.30 pm at Lambeth Palace. Deadline for applications is Tuesday 4th September. See here for details.
Monday 8th September Redbridge Faith Forum Interfaith Buffet Dinner at Kaftan Restaurant, 253 High Road ilford IG1 1NE 6pm until late. All dietry requirements will be catered for. £10 in advance or £12.50 on teh door (children under 3 free, 4-13yrs £5.00) Book with Shamshia Ali or Saira Yakub faith.forum@redbridge.gov.uk or 0208 708 2478/2445

New Courses for Autumn
The St Paul's Forum kicks off a new season of Public Conersations with the theme The Case for God. Speakers include Francis Spufford, Karen Armstrong, David Bentley Hart, Timothy Radcliffe OP and BrianMcLaren. These are evenings 6.30 - 8.00pm starting on Monday 17th September. For details of these, the Sunday Forum events, reflection days and retereat email forum@stpaulscathedral.org.uk or 0207 236 3553
The London Spirituality Centre has published its 2012/13 programme. The centre is based in The Church of St Edmund the King Lombard Stree EC3V 9EA see www.spiritualitycentre.org for all that the centre has to offer.

Advance Notice
At Heythrop College Thursday 15th November 3.00 - 5.30pm, his Eminence Cardinal Angelo Scola, Archbishop of Milan will speak on The Religions, Plurality and the Common God: The Proposal of the Oasis Foundation. Contact Annabel Clarkson a.clarkson@heythrop.ac.uk, 0207 795 4203 or see www.oasiscenter.eu/en

New Term - Resource Reminder

Whether you are involved with a Church School or your parish is developing links with the local state school it's important to keep up to date with developments in religious education.

The Religious Education Council has a wealth of information, links and resources on its website from the recently launched All Party Parliamentry Group on Religious Education to what students think about the subject and why it has value in the curriculum. Like all good organisations they have a monthly news bulletin. Check the website and consider adding RE teachers specifically to parish intercessions from time to time.

Another resource this time aimed specifically at primary school children is Open the Book. This charity provides volunteer actors to present bible stories in a lively and engaging way in a ten minute format that fits in to the colletive worship slot. The scheme has been running since 1999 (so they must be getting something right) and their in put comes at no cost to the school.

July Update

This is the time of year for signing up for that course you’ve always meant to get around to doing............

The University of Roehampton has three new MAs starting this September:
- MA Theology and Religious Studies
- MA Contemporary Catholic Studies
- MA Religion and Gender

Available either full-time or part-time, these courses focus in-depth on the role of religion in national and international culture and society, both historically and in the contemporary world. Whether you left university recently or some time ago, the flexible nature of the courses means you can study at a pace convenient to you.

The Queens Foundation also has a New post graduate programmes from Post Graduate Certificate to MA available in September 2012 (subject to validation) including a post graduate certificate in Inter Faith Engagement. All the programmes are flexible, affordable, suitable for a wide range of people, and designed for those who want their theology to connect with their practice. Study for one year part-time on a range of Post Graduate Certificates and then continue to a post graduate Diploma and MA in Theology and Transformative Practice. If you want rigorous theology, stimulating company, and thinking that connects with, informs and is informed by practice, investigate further at www.queens.ac.uk/programmes  or speak to Gail on 0121 452 2619
Events

Tuesday 24th July The Rt Hon Tony Blair, Archbishop Rowan Williams and Charles Moore will be discussing the role of faith in public life at the final event in the Westminster Faith Debates series. Read details of this and other news from Theos.
And a reminder of the conference Monday 10 - Wednesday 12th September Women, Authority and Leadership in Christianity and Islam - Southlands College, University of Roehampton, London SW15 4EE Conference fee, Non-residential £150/Residential £250 Bursaries are available, details on request - bookings via Caroline Matthews c.matthews@roehampton.ac.uk  or Lucy Parsons l.parsons@roehampton.ac.uk

June Update

Can't say my dahlias are this far out yet but here's the June update and upcoming events through July and beyond..........

News

In partnership with colleagues at CCJ, PEN held its first event in the Diocese of St Albans. The Our Common Witness event attracted a good turn out and we hope will be a spring board to similar sessions in the future.

We are developing a bank of podcasts on the website our earlier blog has details

The South London Inter Faith Group has managed to get walks in 11 of the London Boroughs South of the Thames (and one or two north of the river) over the weekend 14th, 15th July. Details, a map showing starting points and contacts for each walk are in a special section of the group's website.

Anyone who's been following the debate 'What Money Can't buy' organised by St Paul's Institute might also be interested in a new book 'How Much is Enough' by Robert and Edward Skidelsky. Theos is hosting an event at 77 Great Peter Street, SW1P 2EZ on  Monday 2nd July 6.00 for 6.30pm when Robert will discuss the book. There are only a few places left  if you are interested email 

Events

Wednesday 4th July 6.05pm at St Mary-Le-Bow, Just Share Panel Discussion with Rt Revd Richard Cheetham (Bishop of Kingston) and Dilowar Khan (East London Mosque) Exploring Inter-Faith Isssues.

Tuesday 10th July at Methodist International Centre 81-103 Euston Street London NW1 2EZ; Engaging with Muslims Why engage with Muslims and How. For more details see separate blog
This event is hosted by The Christian Muslim Forum with Near Neighbours. (We did ask that this event run in Birmingham a few months ago could be repeated in London.)

9th - 13th July St Alphege Hall, Kings Bench Street, SE1 0QZ The London Boroughs Faiths Network is bringing the Manchester University's research Multi Faith Spaces - Symptoms and Agents of Religious and Social Change to London in a special exhibition. Opening times (tbc) daily (Thursday 12th  6-8pm) for deatils of workshops and speakers contact the London Borough Faiths Network Convenor 

Wednesday 25th July St Mary-Le-Bow City Debate, 6.05pm  The City: is it socially useful? with Tony Greenham (New Economics Foundation) and Raquel Hughes (The City UK) chaired by Anne Kiem (Institute of Financial Services) This is hosted by Just Share and St Paul's Institute which links bank nicely to our last news item.

Looking Further Ahead

Look out for the Presence and Engagement stand at Greenbelt over August bankholiday weekend!

Monday 10th - Wednesday 12th September at Southlands College University of Roehampton Women, Authority and Leadership in Christianity and Islam. The first two days are an academic confernce with a workshop day of 'dialogues and encounters' on the Wednesday. Email Caroline Matthews or Lucy Parsons for more information.

Wednesday 19th Sept  Awareness Foundation first annual fellowship lecture The Revd Nadim Nassar, Sayed Ali Abbas Razawi and Rabbi Shaul Rosenblatt will be discussing ‘Faith and Politics’ at the Ismaili Centre  book here then 22nd - 24th October Middle East Conference  - see Awareness Foundation's  newsletter

Also in October but you need to book now  Biblelands (which will be relaunching as Embrace the Middle East at Greenbelt) Educational visit to Israel/Palestine  led by Richard Jones, Regional Manager of Biblelands.  20th -29th October  For full details see the Events and Pilgirmages page on their website.

This might be a good time to check out Nev Shalom-Wahat al Salaam after recent attacks of vandalism and graffiti at the Oasis of Peace.

Finally prayers for all preparing for ordination this Petertide.