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.

Engaging with Muslims

A day event for Christians to explore why and how Christians engage with Muslims

10.00 to 16.00, 10 July 2012

Methodist International Centre, nr Euston 81-103 Euston Street London NW1 2EZ

Themes:

· The Bible and Engaging with People of Other Faiths

· What should we know about London Muslims?

· Mission and Dialogue

· The Big Picture: Christians and Muslims Globally and Locally

Speakers:

· Fr Nadim Nassar, Director, Awareness Foundation

· Jonathan Smith, Lokahi Foundation

· Revd Rana Khan, Lambeth Palace

· Revd Julie Aylward, Borstal Baptist Church

£10 (£5 concessions), lunch included

Bookings: www.christianmuslimforum.org/engaging-with-muslims

Christian Muslim Forum 0207 729 6830, info@christianmuslimforum.org

PEN PODCASTS

New (to us) technology and illiteration!

The PEN website now has three new podcasts:-

Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, Eric Pickles, and The Archbishop of Canterbury visited a Near Neighbours project in Leyton where a woman's group has devised a programme of arts based events to build friendships between the Parish Church and Hindu temple. The Archbishop praised the work being done through Near Neighbours.

Tim Bissett Chief Executive of the Church Urban Fund  spoke to the PEN team and guests about CUF's recent reserach in to Growing church through Social Action earlier this month. This is the second on the list of  podcasts on the homepage of the PEN website. Congratulations to CUF which celebrated its 25th birthday with a service in St Paul's Cathedral. In the sermon the Archbishop of Canterbury said CUF helps us see what society encourages us to ignore.
 
The third podcast is an interview with Fr Trevor Jones SSC Rector of St Peter's London Docks about the parish and its church primary school. This is a new way of telling stories of local engagement which we will build over time. If you would like opportunity to tell your story please contact the PEN Coordinator