Mitzvah Day in Whetstone

Guest Blog by Revd Dr Gregory  Platten

 In my early months as Vicar of All Saints, Friern Barnet, I was approached by our neighbours at the Sha’arei Tsedek Synagogue to take part in Mitzvah Day, along with friends from the Muslim Community and Education Centre (MCEC) in Palmer’s Green. Mitzvah Day (Hebrew for command) is a Jewish day of social action and outreach, but it has branched out, seeking to build friendships between other faith traditions with ‘Mitzvah Interfaith Day.’

Our task, which was agreed mutually, was to work together to collect donations of food from the public outside Waitrose in the High Road, Whetstone for Homeless Action in Barnet, and also to collect donations of clothes from our three communities. The clothes would be given to Homeless Action in Barnet and the North London Hospice.

It fell on Sunday, 17^th November this year, and our three communities worked well together. The planning, though, began months before, and relationships were built through meetings and discussion. A visit by members of All Saints’ Church and Sha’arei Tsedek Synagogue to the MCEC on the evening of 10^th November, the week before, cemented these new bonds. It was a hugely enjoyable tour, during which we offered generous hospitality; we also spent the evening planning the tasks of the following week, with the great assistance of Daniela Pears of the Mitzvah Day Foundation.

Our Mitzvah Interfaith Day itself attracted a good number of volunteers from all three communities: from teenagers, to children, and older adults: Waitrose customers and passers-by-commented on how surprised and delighted they were to see young people and adults from the three Abrahamic faith communities united for the common good, and for the benefit of the least well-off in our society. As the shop collection carried on, other teams from the three communities were sorting clothes and packing them at All Saints’ Church Hall, so that they could be transported to the various charities.

We were overwhelmed with the generosity of donations. I think I speak for all three faith communities, too, when I say how much we have all gained from working closely together, united not by dialogue about difference, but in common purpose for God’s poorest ones in our locality.

It is a great way of building local links with other faiths, as you plan and work together. There were practical frustrations and problems, all of which were overcome, and through which stronger relationships emerged. It is highly likely that we will unite again, perhaps on Mitzvah Interfaith Day next year, perhaps sooner.

Further possibilities of connection and contact have also emerged. There is something unique about working together logistically and practically; it offers opportunities that cannot be found in the (extremely valuable) work of dialogue and theological discussion. In the end, working practically for the common good as one,  there is a feeling that one is able to fulfil God’s will for the poor in a tangible and immediate way.

Singing and Festivities

The Mixed Up Chorus Rehearse

What better way to cope with the long dark evenings, the damp and the cold than to sing? Two new choirs have sprung to life in recent weeks. The Contextual Theology Centre's own Tom Daggett has been working with Revd Niall Weir at St Paul's West Hackney. In just a few weeks the Cantignorus Chorus has formed, learnt a specially composed song, and made a recording at Angel studios. Due for release in a couple of weeks 'Holding Out a Helping Hand to You' hopes to challenge for the Christmas No 1 slot. What is really special about the choir is that it brings together people form diverse groups, many of whom are vulnerable or excluded. The enterprise is part of the wider SingSpire Community music project which aims to use music as a way of helping people value themselves and build up the wider community  across some of the barriers that often divide. Read Tom's recent blog post  for more details.
Meanwhile, the Three Faiths Forum has launched Mixed Up Chorus. Directed by Jeremy Haneman who also directs the Royal opera House Community Chorus. Mixed Up Chorus is not for the confused but for those who rejoice in the diversity of our great world city. Whilst Cantignorus Chorus is special to West Hackney, Mixed Up Chorus is looking for more members from all over London so if you are free on Tuesdays between 7 and 9 pm get in touch. The choir rehearses at Three Faiths Forum HQ and is part of their Urban Dialogues programme using the arts to connect people.

A third multi faith choir, Berakah,  has it's inaugural concert on 17th December at the London Inter Faith Centre (which has it's own annual music festival of the faiths) details here

As the noise of the Diwali Fireworks fade, Happy Hanukkah to Jewish friends and a Happy New Year to Christians this coming Sunday 1st December

Walks and Pilgrimages

Pilgrimage is common to several faiths. The month of Hijjah, pilgrimage, has just ended in the Islamic

calendar.Walking together as people of faith is also something which is growing in popularity.
This Sunday 10th November  (2.30 - 5.00pm) worshipers at the Al-Kheo Mosque, Shree Swaminarayan Temple and the shared Church of St Andrews and St Anne's will be opening their doors and warmly welcoming visitors and participants in the Brent interfaith Pilgrimage. All three communities have recently been exploring the story of how their community and place of worship came in to being, and a small exhibition of images and words will be on display at each location. Pilgrim visitors can also learn about Muharram - the first month in the Islamic calendar and thus new year, and Diwali - the festival of light celebrated by Hindus (also marked by Sikhs and Jains for slightly different reasons) and their new year. The pilgrimage starts at St Anne's and St Andrews, 126 Salisbury Road, NW6 6PB (nearest station Brondesbury Park , overground, or Queen's Park, Bakerloo line. For further details email jo.winsloe@stethelburgas.org

Meanwhile, The South London Inter Faith Group  has bagged the cafe area in City Hall (it's the curved glass building near Tower Bridge SE1 2AA 10 minutes walk along the River from London Bridge Station) to exhibit Sixteen years of Inter Faith Walks in London in words and pictures. The exhibition opens on Monday 18th November and runs until 29th November -opening hours Mon-Fri 8.30am - 6.00pm on Fridays). Apparently the cafe food is good too!

Community Heroes Awards - a story

 With thanks to Kate Alan of BATCA for this guest blog

The  ‘Community Heroes’ award events run by the Balham and Tooting Community Association are a marvelous opportunity to honour unsung heroes – people from all faiths and cultures who serve others tirelessly, often with little recognition. BATCA is a network of faith and non-faith bodies that works in Balham and Tooting to bring the different side s of the community together.

The awards began in 2007 and are now in their fourth round. This year’s awards celebration will be held on Thursday 28 November (see below).  We expect to welcome a two hundred strong crowd from across the community. It’ll also be a seasonal celebration, with food and entertainment at no charge to celebrate the major faith festivals of Eid, Diwali, Hannukah and Christmas.

This is how it works: the public are invited to nominate outstanding individuals and teams. The nominations are assessed by a panel of independent judges, who have included among others our local MPs, the editor of the local newspaper, and leaders of key organisations such as the police,  fire brigade and our local hospital. This avoids favouritism and the result has always been that the award recipients reflect all faith, ethnic and cultural groups.

The presentation evening has a great feel to it. It’s led by a lively compere  (Cof E clergymen seem to have the worst jokes).  The awards are presented by local VIPs such as the Mayor of Wandsworth, Councillors  the MP, the borough police commander and so on.  A little bit is said about each recipient and their organisation. Usually, there's generous publicity in the local press.  Entertainment plays an important part, with community and church choirs, and Bollywood and Bhangra dance part of the mix.

Previous recipients of awards have been mostly volunteers, including a brownie leader, a chair of school governors, local environmental activists, a refugee charity volunteer, those looking after old people through their church, a mosque bereavement officer, and many more. Team awards have gone, for example, to the Talking Book service for blind people and a group of young Special Constables. Those honoured in their job roles include an old people's centre manager, a milkman who always looks out for his customers and makes sure they’re all right, an Asian women's charity organiser and a local pharmacist whose shop is a community hub.

Celebrating outstanding volunteers strikes a chord in all communities. People from all backgrounds have responded each time and come together for an inspiring and fun evening of community spirit.  ‘When is the next one?’ is the call each time!

   BATCA Community Heroes Awards and Seasonal Celebration

Thursday 28 November at 7.00pm

Jasmin’s Function Rooms, 202 Upper Tooting Road, SW17 7TG

For more information, email Secretary@batca.org or contact Kate Allan at

allanraallan@aol.com or 020 8870 1550

Highlighting a New Course in Practical Inter Faith Work

Maggie Hindley at the London Inter Faith Centre (seen here with friends of LIF) is excited about the new course the centre is running from Tuesday 8th October for clergy and laity.

The key is in the title - this is about PRACTICAL inter faith work - and it's ecumenical.

Each of the ten sessions (one per month) takes place in a different venue and begins with an introduction to that venue's work and context. 

Participants will be enabled to develop a piece of inter faith work in their own locality and gain tools to help reflect on their own engagement.

The course costs £300, which covers travel costs from home (within reason) and a hot vegetarian lunch each session as well as speakers’ expenses and materials.

Participants are encouraged to apply for denominational grants.

The fee can be paid in installments by arrangement.

Bursary help is available for people unable to find the whole cost. Maggie says the centre's policy is that nobody should be excluded from taking part for reasons of cost.

The Course runs for Ten Tuesdays from  10am – 4pm on the following dates:-

8^th Oct, 5^th Nov, 10^th Dec, 14^th Jan, 11^th Feb, 11^th March, 8^th April, 6^th May, 10^th June, 7^th July

Participants are to commit to a minimum of seven out of the ten sessions.

To register or find out more contact maggie.hindley@londoninterfaith.org.uk or rev.hillel@aol.com or telephone 020 3732 1765 or visit the centre's website www.londoninterfaith.org.uk 

August Update

If it's August it must be Greenbelt. 

Presence and Engagement did not have a stall this year but that doesn't mean we weren't there. Task Group member, Revd Bonnie Evans Hills, demonstrated Scriptural Reasoning with friends invited by the Coexist Foundation.
An Associate Partner of this year's festival, Coexist sponsored a number of talks and sessions on topics around inter faith relations. Read more about Scriptural Reasoning and the texts considered at Greenbelt 

And in other news..............
Taking advantage of the relative peace an quiet the PEN website has been under going a series of updates. So.....the place to look for NEWS is back on the webpage.

Headlines this month are

• New term New Courses and - loads of excellent talks to inspire and expand your little grey cells
• Update on the Census figures - You can now find figures for your parish via your Diocesan website
• London Boroughs Faiths Network's new home - and an invite to visit
• Launch of Sophia Hubs  
• MP launches Community Noticeboard for Constituents - why not get yours to do the same

EVENTS share the news page(scroll down) but now appear in easy to follow calendars, one for the next month and one for happenings further ahead. Do still check the blog from time to time for events that appear at short notice.

RESOURCES have an added heading - artefacts. At a recent 'Theology on a summer's Evening' session, in a series on Relationships and Marriage, contributions from Jewish and Muslim guest speakers were enlivened by an opportunity to look at a ketubah, demonstration of how a tallit is used for the wedding canopy and samples of wedding service booklets from ceremonies for three or four different faiths. The Croydon Faith Education Resources Library is the only featured resource in this section at present but if you have other suggestions please contact pen@theology-centre.org  

In Our Time

An Exploration of the Dynamic Relationship between Christian Ecumenism and Inter
Religious Dialogue, its opportunities and challenges in the 21st Century

Thursday 12 September 2013, 11.00-16.00 at Heythrop College, 23 Kensington Square, London W8 5HN

Speakers:  

Revd Dr Keith Clements;  
                                  Dr Anthony O’Mahony; 
                                                                 Professor Peter Riddell

The Ecumenical Movement “Oikumene” refers both to the unity of all Christians and also of the reconciliation of the whole created order. Christians are called to pray for unity, and work so that the prayer of Jesus might be fulfilled “that they may be one”. However, with some of the enthusiasm for Christian unity dimmed and with some theologians speaking of “an ecumenical winter”, there has been some suggestion that the ecumenical endeavour has moved on and inter religious dialogue has become the fresh urgency. This thinking, however, may be misplaced. Inter religious dialogue, far from replacing ecumenism, is in fact a dynamic expression of the ecumenical movement that seeks not only the unity of all Christians but the reconciliation of all creation to God.
In this day conference we shall be exploring this theme in greater depth. In particular we will consider the following questions:

• What is distinctive about Christian ecumenism and why does it matter?
• What does inter religious dialogue tell us about Christian (ecumenical) self-identity?
• How does current Christian thinking develop and resource itself in a context that is both religiously plural and ecumenical?
• How ecumenical approaches relate to bi-lateral dialogues between denominations and faiths.

For further information or to register your attendance, please contact Revd Peter Colwell peter.colwell@ctbi.org.uk 

Ramadan, Eid and Looking Ahead

Although the Holy month of Ramadan ended a week ago it's not too late to celebrate the festival of Eid, which marks its completion.

Saturday 17th August in Trafalgar Square 13.30 - 18.00 with food from a variety of Muslim cultures and a full on stage programme courtesy of the London Mayor.
Full details here

The Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby, issued his first message of Eid Greeting to Muslim communities on 7th August, describing the work of building Christian Muslim friendships as "joyful". The full text is on his website here

Meanwhile Professor Adam Dinham, Director of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmith's College, London, considers the possible effects of Ramadan coinciding with the Higher Education exam season for the next four years and whether and how academic institutions should respond. Full article here

Archbishop of Canterbury visits faith communties in Southall

Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby travelled to Southall this week and visited a Church, a Hindu temple, a Gurdwara and a Mosque. He witnessed presentations about inter religious work given by the community, and plans to found a new inter religious centre on the site of the old St John’s Church.

In his speech, Archbishop Justin stated: “Diversity is a gift, not a threat; it is a hope, not a danger. The kind of country I want to live in has as one of its best examples what goes on in this area. I don’t want to live  in something that is mono-cultural.”

After his visit to the Central Jamia Mosque, the Archbishop also condemned the recent wave of attacks on Muslims following the murder of Drummer Lee Rigby. He said, "I want to acknowledge the pressure that our Muslim friends and colleagues have faced over the last few weeks. There have been terrible attacks, I know that the vast majority of those in this country and especially people of faith would join me in condemning utterly any act of violence against anyone because of their faith.”

Full text of speech
The picture show Archbishop Justin meeting school children visiting the Sikh Gurdwara Sri Guru Singh Sabha  
Copyright  Marc Gascoigne.

Ramadan Invitations

SOAS (School of African & Oriental Studies, Univeristy of London) students are providing a ‘Ramadan Tent’ on campus to mark the holiest month in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan.
Ramadan, or Sawm, is one of the five pillars of Islam, which requires practising Muslims to fast from sunrise to sunset. Currently in the UK about 3am to 9pm. It is a complete fast which means no food or liquids.

During this month, it is said, the gates of mercy are opened and the gates of hell are sealed, and rewards for good deeds performed in this month are multiplied, sins forgiven and supplications responded to and answered.
  ‘Ramadan Tent’, a student-led project by both Muslim and non-Muslim students, and volunteers, invites the general public, students and staff to share the breaking of the fast, known as iftar, each day.
The purpose of the project is to give people a better understanding of the spirit and essence of Ramadan and create greater cross-community cohesion and understanding.

Project Manager and MA International Studies and Diplomacy graduate Omar Salha said: “SOAS celebrates diversity and cultures from around the globe and for that reason it makes sense to host ‘Ramadan Tent’ here and cultivate a healthy, nurturing relationship with the community.“This campaign is aimed at bringing the true spirit of Ramadan to life for all: the spirit of community, unity, compassion and mercy.”

Follow ‘Ramadan Tent’ on Twitter: @RamadanTent, #SOASIftar, #SOASRamadan or facebook.com/SOASiftar.

More generous invitations to break the fast ('iftar') with Muslim friends during the month of Ramadan:-
Wednesday 24 July The Old Kent Road Mosque and Islamic Cultural Centre, 365 Old Kent Road, SE15 5JH has invited all who are interested to break the fast and to arrive at around 8pm. The invitation is to St Peter’s Church, Walworth, and other local churches. A walking party will be leaving St Peter’s Church at 7.30pm. You are welcome to just turn up, but it would be very helpful if you could let Sirol Davies (Diocese of Southwark)  know by email siriol.davies@southwark.anglican.org  or text 07913 470 816

Siriol reminds potential guests,

“This will be a great opportunity to witness a little bit of Ramadan and to enjoy the friendship which exists across our faiths. The generosity and hospitality of the local Muslim communities in making these invitations is a great example to all of us. Any visitors to the iftars are invited to fast for all or part of the day if they wish to.

Saturday 27th July 2013 The Sufi Centre for Spirituality and Cultural Advancement (CSCA) would like to cordially invite you to join them in this blessed month of Ramadan to break bread and share ’One Meal For All’. The event will be at 7.30 pm at the Manor House, Manor Lane, Feltham, TW13 4JQ If you plan to attend, please contact Farzana Kosa in advance farzana@spiritandculture.org.uk 

Saturday 27th July The Muswell Hill Bravanese Somali community in conjunction with Imam Al Khoei Islamic Centre, NW6 6TN, cordially invites you to the Big Iftar (fast breaking) function, 8.30-10pm. This event is a demonstration of solidarity with the Bravanese Somali community, whose venue was sadly burnt down a few weeks ago. It offers them the opportunity to put on their  large annual Iftar as they have done in previous years. You are asked to notify the Al Khoei Centre (020 7372 4049) if you intend to go along so they can make appropriate catering arrangements.


Sunday 28 July At Southwark Cathedral, London Bridge, SE1 9DA, the South London Inter Faith Group is marking the end of its photo-exhibition there celebrating 16 years of inter faith walks. All who are interested are invited to view the exhibition (7.30pm), to hear a short explanation of Ramadan and Iftar (8.30pm) and to join Muslim brothers and sisters for the call to prayer and iftar (around 9pm – 10pm). Download the flyer here. The Exhibition is open to the public every day from now until 28 July.

All Mosques are eing encouraged to offer hospitality to non Mulsim in the final days of Ramadan as part of the Big Iftar. Find a Big Iftar event near you If you can't get to an event this weekend why not sign up for another event promoted by HOPE not hate - Dine@Mine initiative where Muslim households host a meal for non-Muslims. You can sign up here

July Update

Update

Last time we flagged up the launch of the Business Plan Toolkit. If you have an historic building in need of restoration and a vision to develop its use for the community, a business plan is a must to win friends and influence people i.e secure funding. You can now down load a ‘how to’ guide via this link. 

News

Sophia Hubs  - A new faith-based business hub was launched recently at St John's Seven Kings. (see picture) The Seven Kings & Newbury Park Sophia Hub is the first pilot of what will become a network of Hubs building on the community engagement of faith communities.Whilst there are increasing numbers of faith-based social enterprises starting up around the country, and a new emphasis on missional entrepreneurialism, there is as yet very little joining up of the different projects and adding up of their value to advocate for greater investment and support. The Sophia Hubs network will provide a network organisation for existing faith-based business incubators as well as developing a model for starting them up and providing services to enable that process which builds on existing community engagement. 

People can get involved with the pilot as business mentors, start-ups, investors, management group members and timebank volunteers. An initial Sophia Course will aim to empower people in making connections with their faith and wisdom traditions, understanding the basics about social enterprise and considering the local context, identifying resources and issues of shared local concern to generate ideas for new social enterprises. For more info contact : sophiahubs@yahoo.com   tel: 07766 451316.

Events
Tuesday 16^th July until 28^th July  Southwark Cathedral. Exhibition on South London Inter Faith Group’s Inter Faith Walks see the events page on the PEN website.

Friday 19^th July 4pm at Lumen URC 88 Tavistock Place WC1H 9RS.  SYRIA How Can we Help & How best pray for its people? – Meet Mary Mikhael spokesperson for the Evangelical (ie Presbyterian) Churches of Syria and Lebanon and until recently President of the Near Eastern School of Theology in Beirut .

Resources
Initiatives for Change is a worldwide movement of people of diverse cultures and backgrounds, who are committed to the transformation of society through changes in human motives and behaviour, starting in their own lives. Read their latest newsletter, and you can subscribe to receive regular bulletins via the same link.

ARC The Alliance of Religions & Conservation has republished  Faith in Conservation by Martin Palmer & Victoria Finlay (first published in partnership with the World bank in 2003). The book can be downloaded from the ARC website.  ARC's biggest projects currently are The Green Pilgrimage Movement (including Hajj); Wildlife, forests and faith; and Family Education and Water.

Courses

Now is the time to plan your studies (and encourage others) in the new academic year. King's College London and the Westminster Abbey Institute, The London Interfaith Centre and St Ethelburga’s have new programmes for 2013-14. Details on the Courses pages of the PEN website in the next couple of weeks.

Vacancy with JustShare

JustShare the coalition of churches and charities committed to global development and social justice is seeking a new Coorinator ................

JustShare Co-ordinator (part time)


Up to £22, 000 pro rata (dependent on experience) for 2 full days, or their equivalent each week (15 hours). The appointment is for one year only with the opportunity to extend if funding becomes available.

JustShare has a proven record of engaging the City of London on issues of globalisation and economic justice. It organises debates, lectures and seminars.

The Co-ordinator will be employed for two full days, or their equivalent each week (15hours), to enable the JustShare coalition to alert the institutions, businesses and enterprises of the City to the plight of the world’s poorest communities and the impact of their own assumptions and actions – chiefly by organising a programme of debates, lectures and other campaigning events.

To apply, please send your CV and covering letter, along with the name of two referees to the Rector of St Mary-le-Bow, the Reverend George Bush: grbush@london.anglican.org. References will only be taken up if you are successful and the post is offered to you.

Applications by Monday 22nd July. Interviews Thursday 1st August   A full job description can be downloaded from theJustShare website.

June Update

It would be easy to assume that the news this month has been mostly bad. That’s because the extraordinary attracts our attention and the ordinary is easily overlooked. It has been a great consolation that people of faith coming together in quiet acts of solidarity is now quite ordinary. That doesn’t mean it is unnecessary. I am grateful to the Archdeacon who emailed his Area Deans suggesting they remind clergy colleagues that it might be a good time to check how their Muslim neighbours are feeling; and suggested other Archdeacons in his Diocese might like to do the same.

I’ve chosen the blog pic from among those taken at the big IF rally earlier this month when 45,000 people of all faiths and none came together to demand of government four achievable actions that would make huge strides to end world poverty. Julie Saddiqi, Executive Director of the Islamic Society of Britain spoke alongside Rabbi Laura Janner-Klausner, Movement Rabbi, Reform Judaism, and Dr Rowan Williams, Chair of Christian Aid.  Thanks to Julie Siddiqi for permission to use the picture.

Indeed it is a good time to remind ourselves that building relationships of trust takes time and patience but when we look back or when, if rarely, tragedy strikes all the effort is seen to be so worthwhile.

Talking of building relationships Theos, The Contextual Theology Centre and Contending Modernities have just published ‘Making Multiculturalism Work’ by David Barclay which can be downloaded via this link.

St Peter’s Walworth have long had a relationship with Old Kent Road mosque. They now have a Near Neighbours grant to begin a new group in the Autumn which will meet to explore their respective spiritual traditions (especially contemplative prayer), then come together to share silence followed by refreshments and a chance to get to know one another.

Dr Chris Hewer, ‘Understanding Islam’ tutor and author, has been working with Ahl ul-Bayht TV to produce a series called The Big Picture. The titles of each article/broadcast are available now and each week as an episode is aired the title will become a hyperlink to the article. The broadcasts will be uploaded as you tube clips to view - all on his website via the link above.

In other news....

The European Network on Religion and Belief – ENORB is an Anti – Discrimination Network which covers the Religion and Belief strand of the European Fundamental Rights and Equalities policy. It is a voluntary network with no funding but has a website and has just published a review of the previous 12 month’s work and reports from recent seminars on their website.

The Church Buildings Council and The Prince's Regeneration Trust have produced a Business Planning Toolkit to help faith communities deliver successful regeneration projects. The kit will be launched in Norwich on 4th July but watch the PEN blog for how to obtain a copy once available.

Essex Mind and Spirit have published the report of their 4th Tackling Mental Health in Multi Faith Contexts conference at www.essexmindandspirit.moonfruit.com  

The latest news from CUF includes the report ‘The Human Cost of Welfare Reform’ and news of their Tackling Poverty Together conference to be held in London on 13th November at which Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, will be speaking

Events this month are on the news and events page of the PEN website here.

Early June Events

Wednesday 5th June;  6.05pm at St Mary-le-Bow the next JustShare Lecture on Social & Political Thought will be given by Professor Ben Quash (Professor of Christianity and the Arts at King’s College London), who will address the question ‘The art of shared spaces: where is the social value?’ All welcome, refreshments afterwards. You might like to register here, or just turn up.

Saturday 8th June  don't forget the BATCA fun day see earlier blog

also on Saturday 8th June Westminster Interfaith 28th Annual Multi-faith Pilgrimage for Peace this year in Hertfordshire email Jon Dal Din jondaldin@rcdow.org.uk or 07527758729

Sunday June 9th  Faiths Together in Croydon ‘Big Lunch’ Picnic   1.30-3.30pm
In Parkhill Park by the tennis courts; look for the FTiC sign. Entrances in Stanhope Road and Barclay Road
Bring your own picnic and something to share with others Drinks/Paper plates/cups will be provided
Come and meet Croydon people of faith

Wednesday 12th June Holy Trinity Clapham Common  SW4 0QZ the latest event from Nested , Jennifer Broadley of Healthy Chat on Respect: past, present and future. Tickets are £10 includes curry meal, pay on the door.  

also Wednesday 12th June at St Ethelberga's on Bishopsgate EC2N 4AG 3pm Conflict within faith commuities and faith-based conflict resiliance. A meeting for faith leaders and others to explore the kinds of conflict that occur within religious and spiritual communities, and to look at how we can develop faith-based tools and approaches to improve conflict resilience.  With input from Dr Zaza ElSheikh, Revd Andrew Corsie, and the Network of Buddhist Organisations and others more details  

Thursday 13th June Westminster Cathedral Hall SW1P 1QH 16.30 for 17.00 visit of Pope's Senior Advisor on Interreligious Dialogue see earlier blog


Friday 14th June 12 -4pm, Balham Baptist Church, Ramsden Road SW12 8QX Exploring Religious History in Wandsworth  with the Open University's Building on History team and Wandsworth Community Empowerment Network Explore the religious history of the area and discuss a prospective local history project. Contact Nadeene Morris for more details.

Two Job Vacancies

Faiths Forum for London is recruiting for a new Director and the deadline is Wednesday 5th June. Apologies for posting this so late. Please circulate to your networks and to anyone who may be interested in applying. Here is the advertisement:


"As you may have heard, our Director Philip Rosenberg has been appointed as Director of Public Affairs at the Board of Deputies of British Jews. He will be tying up some final projects over the next few weeks before moving on at the beginning of July. As such, we are now recruiting for a new Director. The position is a shared role between the FFL and the Fayre Share Foundation."

Please click here for the full job description and person specification, but the main details are below:

Location: Central London
Salary: £30-35,000 per annum
Contract Type: Full-time for an initial period of 11 months, with the possibility of extension.
Reporting To:
Trustees of the Fayre Share Foundation
Trustees and Council of the Faiths Forum for London
Organisations’ Websites:
www.faithsforum4london.org
www.fayresharefoundation.org

Information for Applicants
Please submit a CV and Covering Letter (Max 2 Sides Each) to info@faithsforum4london.org by Wednesday 5 June 2013 at the latest.

AND

Sophia Hubs are local centres which foster new social enterprises and businesses, harnessing the ageless principles of wisdom. They are seeking a talented Project Coordinator and Developer to set up and deliver a pilot Sophia Hub in Seven Kings and Newbury Park, thereby helping to take the Sophia Hubs project into its next phase of development and growth. You can access the job description here

Applicants can apply by submitting their CV, a supporting statement explaining how their experience is right for this job and how they meet the person specification, and details of two referees.

Applications to be made by Friday 21st June 2013 to: Rev Jonathan Evens at jonathan.evens@btinternet.com  or Sophia Hubs, c/o St John the Evangelist, St John’s Road, Seven Kings, Ilford, Essex IG2 7BB.

Interview date: Friday 5th July 2013.

Christians and Muslims working togther to engage with the wider community

Every year in association with Balham and Tooting Community Association (BATCA) Gatton VA Primary School and St Augustine's Church in Tooting host a fun day which raises thousands of pounds for the local St George's hospital. It's always fun to close a road and drag a fire engine but this is a true celebration of how communities can come together for the greater good.

Pope's Senior Advisor on interreligious dialogue to visit London

All people of good will are cordially inviteed to join representatives of different religions, who are coming together on the occasion of teh visit to England of Cardinal Tauran, the Pope's senior advisor on interreligious dialogue, to offer prayres  for peace in tehir differnt traditions, and to bear witness to their longing for a more just and peaceful world.

Thursday 13th June 16.30 for 17.00
Westminster Cathedral Hall SW1P 1QH

May Update

NEWS

The International Imam Hussain Council has seen fit to honour the PEN Coordinator with an award for her contribution to Inter Faith relations. It was a real honour to attend the Syeda Fatima Interfaith Conference at the House of Lords and receive the award from Lord Ahmed. Friends and colleagues Zahra Imame (Christian Muslim Forum), Debbie Damon (Three Faiths Forum), Siriol Davies (Diocese of Southwark) and Zahra Haid, were also all honoured. The conference looked at the role of women in the Abrahamic traditions, hearing about Fatima herself, Mary (who appears in the Muslim and Christian traditions) and Miriam (from the Jewish tradition).

Theos has revamped its website. The bottom right hand corner has a useful tab to their Media Monitoring section – a really handy way to keep up with the most important religion stories in the media. Their latest report ‘Is there a Religious Right Emerging in Britain?’ is by The Contextual Theology Centre’s own Andy Walton. Watch that space for another CTC colleague, David Barclay’s research due out shortly.

Also watch for the new Contextual Theology Centre website.

Better off without them? Report of a pilot study into the proportion of voluntary sector welfare projects organised by churches and other faiths has recently been published. Written by Elizabeth Simon for the London Churches Group on Social Action it is available from their website or downloadable here


Last but by no means least; Congratulations to The Greenwich Peninsula Chaplaincy on its tenth birthday! Celebrations take place on 5th June. Read their latest news letter

EVENTS

Wednesday 15th May Sister P&E centre, Bradford Churches for Dialogue & Diversity, annual lecture. See separate blog for details


Wednesday 15th May 6.05pm St Mary-le-Bow EC2V 6AU the latest JustShare . Will Crouch, President of 80,000 hours, ‘Professional Philanthropy: How to save thousands of lives without leaving the City’.

Thursday 16th May 6.30 pm. Christian Values: Fact or Fiction? ; Are ‘Christian Values’ undermining Christianity? The Revd Nadim Nassar welcomes guests to the new home of the Awareness Foundation Lodge House 69 Beaufort Street London SW3 5AH

Thursday 16th May 7pm St Ethleburga’s The multifaith movement - global risks and cosmopolitan solutions Anna Halaf off on the role of multifaith work in countering terrorism. See their events page.

Sunday 19th May 6.00pm Text to Live by at the London Inter Faith Centre 125 Salusbury Road London NW6 6RG. Second in the latest series, the topic for this one is Conversion.

Tuesday 21st May 6.30pm St James’s Piccadilly Embrace the Middle East lecture Christians and Politics in Egypt – The transformation of a nation: an Egyptian perspective by Bishop Thomas of El-Quissia and Mair. The lecture is free but you must book
 
Wednesday 22nd May 6.00pm Peace begins with me St Ethelburga's new community gathering - a time for quiet reflection, sharing, nourishing relationships, eating see their events page.

Sunday 2nd June 1pm St Paul’s Cathedral last in the Sunday Forum series At the Heart of Faith: the Trinity as the Hope of Humanity, Revd Ian Mobsby, Priest Missioner at the Moot Community and author of God Unknown: the Trinity in contemporary Spirituality and Mission (2012)

Wednesday 5th June 6.05pm St Mary-le-Bow EC2V 6AU the next JustShare lecture. The Art of Shared Spaces: Where is the Social Value? Ben Quash, Professor of Christianity and the Arts at Kings College London

Monday 10th June 7.30pm Faithful Friends event at Woodgrange Baptist Church, Romford Road, Forest Gate London E7 8AA. Franciscans from Hillfield lead an evening of refection on health and the environment from a Christian perspective.

Wednesday 12th June 3.00pm Faith-based conflict resilience. A new style of event exploring the experience of conflict within different faith communities, and looking at how we can develop faith-based tools and approaches to improve our conflict resilience. Aimed at faith leaders, but also open to all. Another St Ethelburga’s event – see their events page

Monday 17th June 10.15am Council of Christian and Jews study day see separate blog

Thursday 27th June 6.30pm Jesus Message through the Eyes of the Vedic Tradition The Meditatio Centre St Marks, Myddelton Square, London EC1R 1XX First in a series on Christian Mysticism and other faiths. For other titels and dates see their website


ADVANCE NOTICE

1st – 7th July The Institute for the Study of Muslim Civilisations Aga Khan University (AKU-ISMC) and The Centre for the Comparative Study of Muslim Societies and Cultures Simon Fraser University (SFU-CCSMSC) present: International Summer Programme 2013 Music, Art and Architecture in Muslim Contexts AKU-ISMC, London Campus 210 Euston Road London NW1 2DA Application Deadline: May 24 Tuition Fees: £450/£375 (concession fee available) Details and booking here

11th October to 14th December To mark the 150th anniversary celebrations of the Zoroastrian Trust Funds of Europe (ZTFE) in 2011, the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), www.soas.ac.uk University of London is in 2013 organising “The Everlasting Flame Exhibition: Zoroastrianism in History and Imagination”. This is probably the first time there has been an exhibition on Zoroastrianism in the United Kingdom. Further information from

Jewish Christian Study Day

BCDD Annual lecture - Richard McCallum on Evangelicals responding to Muslims

April Update

NEWS

If you missed the ‘Making Sense of the Census’ seminar check the previous PEN blog for key points and links.
The Christian Interfaith Practice in Action CIPA has cancelled its annual conference which was to be next month.

EVENTS
Wednesday 15th May 6.05pm JustShare welcomes Will Crouch, co-founder and President of 80,000 Hours to discuss “Professional Philanthropy: How to save thousands of Lies without leaving the City at St Mary le Bow, Cheapside, EC2V 6AU Registeror email justshare@stmarylebow.org.uk  

Tuesday 21st May 6.30-8pm Embrace the Middle East annual lecture Christians and Politics in Egypt The Transformation of a nation: an Egyptian perspective, by His Grace Bishop Thomas – El Qussia & Mair Coptic Diocese, Upper Egypt at St James’s Church, Piccadilly all welcome but please pre register via www.embrace.org/lecture  or phone 01494 897950

RESOURCES
Catriona Robertson has 15 years of experience working with local faith and community groups and recently presented at the Faith Based Regeneration AGM on “knowing your patch”. Her blog sitegives examples of her work. Also, a social audit checklist, the hand out from the AGM, is available via PEN or direct from Catriona. She is available to train those wanting to undertake their own audit and is happy to discuss paid or pro bono work at no obligation. Email or Telephone 07903 682 142

The Contextual Theology Centre has created 'Money Talks', a resource to help churches listen and respond to the impact of the current economic situation on their local community. Money Talks are a simple facilitated conversation which gather testimony, find potential leaders and identify the issues that people have a passion to work on. David Barclay is available to (or help others to) hold a Money Talk in individual churches contact him at davidb@theology-centre.org  or Telephone 020 7780 1600 Also see the Money Talk download on the CTC website

The Church Urban Fund has announced some new pieces of research; a Guide to Welfare Reforms 2010-2017 and It all adds up: the cumulative impact of welfare reform both can be downloaded from the research pageof their website.

The Christian Muslim Forum added an interesting discussion starter to its website recently, Inter faith for the cautious and their Director, Julian Bond, contributed to the Tablet blog with Can Christians and Muslims Pray Together
 
ADVANCE NOTICE
The Council for Christians and Jews is running its annual 10 day seminar at Yad Vashem, Jerusalem from 28th October to 7th November 2013 contact Fiona Hulbertfor details.

Making Sense of the Census

Earlier in 2013 PEN hosted an afternoon around the 2011 census data; what it does and doesn't tell us and what to do with the information. We are very grateful to Louise McFerran from the Church of England's Research and Statistics Department who gave of her time and experise. For those who weren't able to attend here are the key points:-

• Understanding the community we serve is key to ministry and mission; it requires a mixture of observation and background research.


• Headline statistics can be found on the Church of England website (this link opens on the page with a download of provisional parish figures).

• The dip in those identifying as Christian is not as large as it was feared it might be. There is a significant increase in ‘no religion’.

• When looking at  the stats remember that Parish and Deanery boundaries are rarely coterminous with eg Borough Wards so ‘mind the boundaries’

• The Church of England is producing parish profiles for every Parish giving census information feedback and they will be creating some Deanery profiles too. Diocesan headlines are available on request.
• Longer term the national Presence and Engagement website will have a postcode tool to look at faiths breakdown integrated with the CUF poverty indicators tool.

• Other handy sources -  Tear Fund Inside out course  and the Contextual Theology Centre has produced a resource for parishes called ‘Mercy, Justice and Evangelism’ which enables congregations to engage with some of the issues raised by the census material. Please note this is a draft document and we would like feed back from parishes that use the resource so as to improve it. Email pen@theology-centre.org or telephone 0020 7780 1600 xtn 3 and speak to Susanne Mitchell



 

The Good Death

The Open Forum initiative launched by St Barnabas church in Dulwich last autumn aims to bring together people in the area from different churches, other faith communities and people with no religious affiliation to discuss topics of common interest, taking a different overall theme each year.The theme of the first series of meetings is Wellbeing, Health and Wholeness.

The next meeting will be at 8.00 pm on Thursday 18 April. The topic will be The Good Death. Baroness Julia Neuberger DBE, is the Senior Rabbi of the West London Synagogue and a former Chief Executive of the King’s Fund, a health ‘think tank’. She is also a well-known broadcaster and author. She will be speaking about some of the themes in her most recent book, Is That All There Is ?, including ‘what will be our legacy – our mark on the world?’ She will help us explore the significance that a good death can mean for living well - and that a full life can contribute to a good death. In addition, Canon Vernon White, Canon Theologian of Westminster Abbey, will offer some reflections on the concept of an after-life, drawing on his series of lectures on this subject at the Abbey in the spring of 2012.

Everyone will be most welcome at the meeting. St Barnabas church is in Calton Avenue, SE21 7DG.

   

PEN would be pleased to hear of (and publicise) similar events in other areas of Greater London.