The Inter Faith Network

The Inter Faith Network for the UK office has now closed

Further background on closure timeline can be found on the homepage. A Press Release issued on 22 February about IFN's closure can be found at Read more…

IFN E-bulletin February 2019

The Inter Faith Network E-bulletin provides news and reports on the activities of the Network and other inter faith initiatives, including ‘diary dates’.

Faith and public life updates 

Inter Faith Network for the UK News 

Inter faith projects, programmes and developments 

Resources and study/training

Calls for information, Competitions and Nominations  

Jobs, internships and volunteering 

Funding opportunities 

Special Weeks/Days

Diary Dates 

 

FAITH AND PUBLIC LIFE UPDATES

Holocaust Memorial Day

Holocaust Memorial Day took place on 27 January.    Holocaust Memorial Day is the day for everyone to remember the millions of people murdered in the Holocaust, under Nazi Persecution, and in the genocides which followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur.  It honours the survivors of these regimes and challenges everyone to use the lessons of their experience to inform their lives today.   Its theme for 2019 is ‘Torn from home’.  Further information is at www.hmd.org.uk/.

Faith and inter faith groups across the UK marked HMD.   IFN highlighted some of these through Tweets and a series of posts on its Facebook page in the week leading up to HMD, including events in Welwyn Hatfield, Llanpumsaint, Loughborough, Rochdale and Shropshire.

The UK Commemorative Event was held in London on 27 January.   The Ceremony featured personal testimonies from survivors of genocide, films, readings and music.  https://www.hmd.org.uk/news/uk-commemorative-ceremony-for-holocaust-memorial-day-2019/  An event was held in Belfast City Hall on 24 January.  The event was hosted by The Executive Office in Northern Ireland in collaboration with the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and Belfast City Council.  https://www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk/articles/holocaust-memorial-day  The Wales national HMD event, led by Cardiff Council, took place at Cardiff City Hall on 25 January.  https://www.hmd.org.uk/activity/wales-national-hmd-event/  Candles were lit to mark HMD at a Scottish national event attended by school pupils from across the west of Scotland.  The event in Giffnock was held together with Interfaith Scotland, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust and the Scottish Government.  https://www.eveningexpress.co.uk/news/scotland/candles-lit-to-mark-holocaust-memorial-day/

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Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre

A planning application for the UK’s new Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre in London was submitted in December by the Holocaust Memorial Foundation (HMF), which is part of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government.   Information about the HMF can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-holocaust-memorial-foundation/about.

The design for the Memorial and Learning Centre has been developed by HMF over the past year in consultation with “Holocaust and other genocide survivors, communities of a range of faiths and backgrounds, local residents, businesses and key experts from landscape design to Holocaust education”.  Further information is at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/planning-application-submitted-for-holocaust-memorial-proposed-for-next-to-parliament. 

Comments on the planning application can be submitted to Westminster Council at https://idoxpa.westminster.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=PL0CVYRP27O00&activeTab=summary.

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Faith-based and inter faith emergency winter shelters

As the temperatures plummeted at the end of January across the UK, Langar Aid (a project of Khalsa Aid), Under One Roof (Leicester) and other faith-based and inter faith initiatives such as those of the Cardiff Churches and West London Synagogue have been among those offering emergency shelter. https://england.shelter.org.uk/housing_advice/homelessness/temporary_housing_if_youre_homeless/winter_shelters

The scale of provision has been increasing.  For example, the Church of England reported in December that more than 2,000 of its congregations would be running or supporting night shelters this winter as homelessness projects expand to cope with rising demand. https://www.churchofengland.org/more/media-centre/news/church-england-parishes-set-support-winter-shelters

Faith based bodies also run year round programmes to offer support. For example, the Passage, a Vincentian Catholic organisation, runs London’s largest voluntary sector resource centre for homeless and vulnerable people: each day helping up to 200 men and women.

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Amendments to Visa arrangements for Ministers of Religion and Religious Workers

On 6 December, the Home Secretary presented to Parliament a Statement of Changes to the Immigration Rules which included amendments to the Tier 5 visa arrangements for religious workers. The changes set out took effect on 10 January.

Tier 5 visas are designed to facilitate short periods of knowledge sharing and cultural exchange for those undertaking non-pastoral roles supporting the activities of religious institutions.   The changes to the Immigration Rules introduce a ‘cooling off period’, preventing Tier 5 Religious Worker and Tier 5 Charity Worker visa holders from returning to the UK, via these immigration routes, for 12 months after their visa expires.   This approach underpins the Government’s intention that these are temporary visas.

Rule changes will also see Ministers of Religion having to apply through the Tier 2 visa Minister of Religion sub-category instead of the Tier 5 Religious Workers category. Applicants will become subject to the English language requirement and have to demonstrate they speak English to an acceptable standard. 

Further detailed information can be found in the updated guidance document at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/770691/2019-01-11_Tier-2-5-sponsor-guidance_01-2019_v1.0_FINAL.PDF.

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New faith and beliefs declaration for organ donation

In summer 2018, the Government published a response to its consultation into the organ donation system in England. It confirmed that under the proposed new system (commonly known as ‘deemed consent’ or ‘opt out’) everybody would be considered a potential organ donor unless they have added their details to the NHS Organ Donor Register to say that they do not wish to donate their organs or are in one of the excluded groups. It has been provisionally indicated that the system may be in place in April 2020.

A new option added to the NHS Organ Donor Register has been developed to give reassurance about how organ donation in England can go ahead in line with a person’s faith or beliefs. People signing up to the NHS Organ Donor Register will now be asked an optional question about whether or not they want their faith or beliefs to be discussed with their family, or anyone else they consider appropriate, such as a faith leader.

Working with faith leaders and other organisations, NHS Blood and Transplant has developed a selection of downloadable faith and belief-specific donor cards so people can show their support for donation alongside their own faith or beliefs as well as share with family and friends. The cards can be found here: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/get-involved/download-digital-materials/faith-and-belief-donor-cards/.

Information about organ donation and the position of individual faith and belief systems is at https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/about-donation/organ-donation-and-my-beliefs/.

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Cohesion and Integration

Cohesion and Integration are under discussion within a number of faith communities. The Free Churches Group recently commissioned an eighteen-month research project looking at the relationship between the Church and social cohesion in England. The project is being conducted by Theos, the UK’s leading think tank on religion and society issues. https://www.freechurches.org.uk/free-churches-commission/

In March 2018 the Government published a Green Paper consulting on the Government’s proposed Integrated Communities Strategy.  The Paper set out a programme of actions to take across Government to deliver this vision at the local and national level.    The Green Paper also set out a new localised approach to delivering policy.   It said that this approach recognised that integration challenges are not uniform throughout the country so tailored local plans and interventions are needed to address the issues that are specific to a particular place.   This local approach is being trialled initially in five Integration Areas:  Blackburn with Darwen, Bradford, Peterborough, Walsall and Waltham Forest.

On 6 December, Blackburn with Darwen launched its Integration Strategy.  Walsall Council launched its Strategy on 31 January.  In both areas, there has been wide engagement with faith and inter faith bodies and initiatives as part of development of the plans and the Government’s Faith Minister, Lord Bourne, spoke.

On 24 January a new Cohesion and Integration Network was profile at a special reception ahead of formal launch in Manchester later in the year.  https://cohesionintegration.net/news-events/

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Independent review of Prevent

On 22 January the Government announced that there will be an independent review of the Prevent programme, which aims to stop vulnerable people from being drawn into terrorism.  The announcement was made by Security Minister, Ben Wallace.  The press release can be found at https://homeofficemedia.blog.gov.uk/2019/01/22/government-announces-independent-review-of-prevent/.

Further details of the review will be set out in due course. It will begin within 6 months of the legislation receiving Royal Assent and will report to Parliament within 18 months.

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Welsh Government and RE

The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on its White Paper, ‘Our National Mission: A Transformational Curriculum.’ The White Paper includes a number of proposed changes to Religious Education in Wales, including on inclusion of non-religious world views, whether RE should continue to be compulsory for sixth-form students, and several changes concerning the parental right to withdraw pupils from RE and RSE. The consultation can be found at https://beta.gov.wales/our-national-mission-transformational-curriculum and the White Paper at https://beta.gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2019-01/consultation-document-transformational-curriculum.pdf

The deadline for comment is 25 March.

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Consultation on Out-of-school-settings providers

The Department for Education’s consultation on a draft voluntary safeguarding code of practice for out-of-school settings (OOSS) providers and accompanying guidance for parents closes on 24 February.    Information on the consultation is at https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/out-of-school-settings-voluntary-safeguarding-code-of-practice.

An OOSS is any institution which provides tuition, training, instruction, or activities to children in England without their parents’ or carers’ supervision, and that is not a: school, college, 16-19 academy or provider caring for children under 8 years old, which is registered with Ofsted or a childminder agency.  Some events and classes run by faith communities are classed as OOSS.

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Faith Minister’s national tour

The Government’s Faith Minister, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Lord Bourne, is undertaking a new national tour to celebrate the role of faith communities in the UK.   The tour – ‘Belief in communities: bridging divides and strengthening communities’ – began with a visit to the Highway of Holiness Church in Tottenham and is being followed by monthly visits across the country. Its aim is “to shine a spotlight on the central role faith institutions play in building strong, resilient communities”.

The full press release is available at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/faith-minister-launches-national-tour-to-celebrate-the-role-of-faith-communities.

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Equally Ours

The Equality and Diversity Forum (EDF) is a national network of organisations working across all areas of equality and human rights.   It brings together organisations from a range of disciplines, sharing knowledge and expertise.  On 26 February it will be changing its name to Equally Ours.   

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Taylor Review Pilots

The Taylor Review Pilot is a project funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and run by Historic England.   Pilot projects began in September in Greater Manchester and Suffolk to test some of the recommendations of the ‘2017 Taylor Review: Sustainability of English Churches and Cathedrals’ and to provide free support and advice for listed places of worship of all faiths and denominations.

The website has recently been updated to include Frequently Asked Questions https://historicengland.org.uk/advice/caring-for-heritage/places-of-worship/churches-sustainability-review/#Section2Text.

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Response of ONS to Census consultation

On 14 December, the Office for National Statistics published ‘Help Shape our Future’ which sets out the UK Statistics Authority’s proposals, in the light of consultation, for conducting the 2021 Census in England and Wales.  Within this is a section which details its planned approach to data relating to Jews and Sikhs, including its decision not to include a question on ethnicity relating to Sikhs.

Help Shape our Future can be found at https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/765089/Census2021WhitePaper.pdf.

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BBC ‘Year of Beliefs’

The BBC has announced that in 2019 there will be a special emphasis on Religion and Ethics programming with a whole year of programming across television, radio and digital which will explore ‘Britain’s beliefs and values’.

More information is at https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/mediapacks/yearofbeliefs.

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INTER FAITH NETWORK FOR THE UK NEWS

Inter Faith Week 2019

Inter Faith Week 2019 will take place between Sunday 10 and Sunday 17 November.  The Week begins each year on Remembrance Sunday to enable people of different backgrounds to remember together the service of soldiers and civilians of all faiths and beliefs and to reflect on peace.

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Local inter faith visits and sharing of good practice

IFN Assistant Director visited Blackburn, Burnley and Pendle in January to talk with local inter faith bodies there about their work.   This is part of an ongoing programme of visits.

IFN’s next practitioner day event for local inter faith groups anywhere in the UK will be taking place in Peterborough on 27 March.  Further information from ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.

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INTER FAITH PROJECTS, PROGRAMMES AND DEVELOPMENTS

Women’s Interfaith Network new groups

The Women’s Interfaith Network (WIN) is preparing to start three new groups this year. These are the Professional Women’s Group London, South London WIN Group and Birmingham WIN Group.  To find out more or to join a group, contact Marion Waruguru at marion@wominet.org.uk.

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Christian Muslim Forum website

The Christian Muslim Forum, one of IFN’s member bodies, has redeveloped its website. The newly launched version can be found at http://www.christianmuslimforum.org/.

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Capital city inter faith bodies

A meeting is being held in Edinburgh on 4 February during World Interfaith Harmony Week bringing together capital city inter faith organisations of London, Belfast, Cardiff, Dublin and Edinburgh.  

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Places of Welcome – A Network of Hospitality

Places of Welcome is a growing network of local community groups that aim to provide their neighbourhoods with places where all people feel safe to belong, connect and contribute.  The idea was developed during Birmingham’s Social Inclusion Inquiry ‘Giving Hope Changing Lives’ in 2012 and is now a Together Network initiative supported by Near Neighbours.

Currently, there are over 200 Places of Welcome at a variety of venues including churches, community centres, libraries, mosques, temples and other community group buildings across the UK. Each of them is slightly different from each other but open to everyone regardless of their circumstances or situation.

For further information, visit https://www.placesofwelcome.org.uk/. 

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Community seed kits

Grow Wild is inviting applications for its free wildflower seed kits, in preparation for the coming spring. The idea is to bring communities together by encouraging them to connect through nature, and by providing communities with the resources and skills to transform spaces.

Grow Wild is a national outreach programme of the Royal Botanic Gardens (Kew). The Grow Wild initiative brings communities around the UK together “to transform shared spaces with beautiful, blooming UK native wildflowers”. The kits are available to all, irrespective of prior gardening experience. The seeds may be sown at home, school, workplaces, community spaces etc. in containers, gardens or even in unloved urban spaces. For further information, including the application form, visit https://www.growwilduk.com/content/grow-wildflowers-us-spring. 

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Resources and STUDY/training 

Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change – A Collection of Stories

St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace is launching a book called ‘Generation Y, Spirituality and Social Change’, edited by Justine Huxley, on 7 March.

The book is a collection of stories and interviews with young adults.  It focusses on how the younger generation are engaging with faith, spirituality and social action, reflecting both the energy and inspiration of the generation and the tremendous challenges they face.   For more information, visit https://stethelburgas.org/projects/walking-talk-faith-spirituality-next-generation/ or contact Justine Huxley at justine@stethelburgas.org.

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Report on Understanding Hate Incident Patterns

On 4 December, Tell MAMA (Measuring anti-Muslim Attacks) published a report on ‘Understanding Hate Incident Patterns After the Westminster Terrorist Attack of March 2017: Building a Pattern of Community Resilience Against Hate – Reflecting on What Worked?’.

The overall aim of this report is to understand post ‘trigger event’ hate incident patterns with a specific focus on the Westminster terror attack through a detailed discourse analysis and semi-structured interviews.   The report concludes with a list of recommendations that have been devised following interviews with key professionals.

The full report can be found at https://tellmamauk.org/wp-content/uploads/resources/Tell%20MAMA%20-%20Report.pdf.

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Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse resource

On 14 January, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse launched a television awareness campaign to help ensure victims and survivors are aware that they can come forward to the Truth Project.  The Truth Project gives victims and survivors the opportunity to share their experiences in a confidential setting and make recommendations to help keep children safer in future. By sharing their experiences, victims and survivors make an important contribution to the work of the Inquiry. 

The Stakeholder Engagement Toolkit, available on the Inquiry’s website at https://www.iicsa.org.uk/victims-and-survivors/stakeholder-engagement-toolkit, offers different ways in which to support the campaign, including imagery and clips of the advert to use as social media content and also the full 60 second version of the television advert.  For further information, contact the Inquiry’s Engagement Team at engagement@iicsa.org.uk.

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The Diversity Game

The East of England Faith Agency (EEFA) has overstock of ‘The Diversity Game’ and ‘The Diversity Game Playing Mat’. For details of the game, see http://www.eefa.net/reslib/diversity.htm.   For information on reduced prices and to purchase any copies, contact office@eefa.net.

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Working with People from Diverse Religion and Belief Backgrounds

Interfaith Scotland is holding a half day training course on Working with People from Diverse Religion and Belief Backgrounds on 5 March. Delegates will improve their confidence in working with the religion and belief of those they work with.   The course addresses the core beliefs and cultural practices of the main faiths, and the individual needs that may arise from a person’s faith or belief identity.   It is designed for those who work directly with users of services, but is also relevant to HR staff, equality officers and managers who may need to respond to the needs of staff from diverse religion or belief backgrounds.  For more information and registration, contact Jamie Spurway at 0141 558 0778 or jamie@interfaithscotland.org.

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Transforming Conversations between Jews and Christians

The Liberal Jewish Synagogue and the London Society of Jews and Christians are holding an eight week course on ‘Deep Calls to Deep – Transforming conversations between Jews and Christians’. The course is based on a new volume of essays of inter-religious learning and dialogues edited by Rabbi Tony Bayfield.  It will take place on Tuesday evenings between 5 March and 21 May at the Liberal Jewish Synagogue in London.

For further information, including costs, visit http://ljs.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Deep-calls-to-Deep-publicity-2-1.pdf or contact Debi Penhey at the LJS at education@ljs.org or 0207 432 1284.

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Faith and Belief Forum LGBT+Faith Training days

The Faith and Belief Forum is hosting a series of LGBT+Faith training days.  These are free to attend.   The training is for LGBT organisations, faith-based organisations, and individuals interested in LGBT and faith inclusion.  Travel grants are available. 

The next training day takes place in Aberystwyth on 19 March and the next on 14 September in London.   In order to maximise impact, places on these open sessions are restricted to one person per organisation or group.  For more information and to register, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/programme/lgbtfaith/.    For any queries, contact Siobhán Anderson at siobhan@faithbeliefforum.org  or on 0207 482 9549.

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CALLS FOR INFORMATION, COMPETITIONS, AND NOMINATIONS

Mitzvah Day Awards

The closing date for voting for the 2018 Mitzvah Day Awards is 4 February.  One of the categories is Outstanding Interfaith Partnership for the best collaborative project between Jews and another faith group/s, with an emphasis on bringing people of different faiths together.   The finalists are: South Manchester Synagogue (Bowdon Shul), #ChickenSoupChallenge at East London Mosque, Muswell Hill Synagogue and LICC Wightman Road Mosque, Caritas Westminster and The Friendship Circle, Manchester.

To cast a vote, visit https://mitzvahday.org.uk/mitzvah-day-2018-awards/.

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National Diversity Awards

Nominations for the 2019 National Diversity Awards will open on 20 February.    The categories celebrating positive role models and community organisations, among others highlight the theme of race, religion and faith.

Nominations can be submitted at http://www.nationaldiversityawards.co.uk/.

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Honours nominations

A number of people received Honours in this year’s New Year’s Honours list for services to inter faith work or community cohesion. https://www.facebook.com/ifnetuk/posts/2174473662603197

The Ministry for Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) is always keen to ensure that individuals from the full breadth of society who are making a significant contribution to public life are properly recognised through the Honours system.   It is particularly keen to recognise individuals who have contributed to building integrated communities and notes that nominees can come from all levels; being in a junior role is not a barrier to a nomination.

All nominations must be made on an official citation form and nominees should not be informed that they have been nominated.   MHCLG is running workshops on Honours citations during February and early March.   Places can be booked at https://www.eventbrite.com/e/honours-workshop-tickets-54585392378.

Citation forms, as well as further information, can be obtained by emailing integration@communities.gsi.gov.uk.

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Call for National Curriculum Test development group members

As part of the National Curriculum Test development, the Standards and Testing Agency (part of the Department for Education), has a group who review test materials from a representation, diversity and inclusion perspective.  It is about to start a procurement process to identify people / organisations who have some knowledge, expertise and / or prior experience of promoting inclusion and diversity.   Anyone interested in applying for a role should contact the Procurement team on TendersTD.STA@education.gov.uk.

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JOBS, INTERNSHIPS AND VOLUNTEERING

IFN’s website lists job and internship opportunities with a significant inter faith dimension with IFN member organisations at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/vacancies/jobs.

Inter Faith Network for the UK - Volunteers

The Inter Faith Network for the UK currently has volunteering opportunities.  For an application form, contact ifnet@interfaith.org.uk.

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Bristol Multi-Faith Forum – Board members

Bristol Multi-Faith Forum is recruiting new Board members.  It is actively recruiting competent community leaders to join the BMFF steering group. Anyone interested can contact Paul Hazelden for more information or an informal chat, at info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk.

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Interfaith Scotland – Volunteers

Interfaith Scotland currently has volunteering roles available: Office Assistant, Community Development, Schools and Youth Work and Events Management.  For more information, visit https://interfaithscotland.org/get-involved/volunteering or email admin@interfaithscotland.org.

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St Ethelburga’s – Volunteer Design, Archive and Exhibitions Intern

St Ethelburga’s is seeking a Design, Archive and Exhibitions Intern.  This 4 month internship will be to work on a new archiving and exhibitions project.   It is 2 days per week from February to May.  For more information, visit https://stethelburgas.org/get-involved/vacancies-and-volunteering/ or contact ioannis@stethelburgas.org. 

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Manchester Arena Memorial Grants Programme

The Inter Faith Youth Trust is launching a new grant programme for young people’s organisations to hold inter faith events or activities in the Greater Manchester area.   The deadline for grant applications is 9 February.

May 2019 will mark two years since the bombing at the Manchester Arena. The focus of the project is to highlight the good that can come from different communities working together in friendship.  Grants will be awarded for projects or activities held in the Greater Manchester Area from April to June 2019.   Projects must include learning by children and young people (11-25 years old) from different faiths about different faiths, through social action.   Projects must include more than one faith and show how the social action will promote learning about faiths.

Grants will only be given to organisations/groups, not to individuals.  Grants are for between £200 and £1,000.   Applications must be on the official online application form which is available at http://www.ifyouthtrust.org.uk.

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Arts Council Funding - Creative People and Places

The Creative People and Places fund focuses on supporting communities to access arts and cultural opportunities, in 79 areas with below average participation in the arts. A new round of funding opened in January and is available for community organisations or groups that can partner with cultural organisations.   For more information about the fund, visit https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/creative-people-and-places/creative-people-and-places-programme-2019#section-2.    

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The M B Reckitt Trust

The M B Reckitt Trust is a grant-giving organisation.   An important strand in its aims is supporting constructive communication and understanding between Christianity and other principal faith traditions.   The Trust funds projects concerned with social thought and action.  It aims to “promote researches and activities that evaluate and develop social structures, processes and attitudes in order to release energies for change, from the perspective of Christianity and the other principal faith traditions”.

The Trustees meet once a year in June, and the deadline for applications this year is 27 May. To find out more, visit https://mbreckitttrust.org/.

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Building a Stronger Britain Together programme

The Home Office programme Building a Stronger Britain Together is continuing to offer in-kind support such as social media training, technical assistance to help a group improve their website, or capacity building work to help a group protect more vulnerable individuals.   It is open to bodies in England and Wales.  Applications for in-kind support can be submitted at any time. 

Further information can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/building-a-stronger-britain-together.

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Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund

Following a period of review Faiths in Scotland Community Action Fund is now open for applications for grants of up to £2,000 over 1 year.   Its next deadline is 13 February 13.   Further information is at https://www.faithincommunityscotland.org/faith-in-community-scotland-action-fund/.    For any queries email andrew@faithincommunityscotland.org or telephone 0141 221 4576. 

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Funding websites

The National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO) offers advice on fundraising and grants on its Knowhow Nonprofit site at https://knowhownonprofit.org/funding.

Funding Central - http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/default.aspx - is a free website for charities, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in England that provides access to thousands of funding and finance opportunities, together with tools and resources for supporting organisations to develop sustainable income strategies appropriate to their needs.  Similar websites for funding in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland can be found at Funding Scotland - http://www.fundingscotland.com/ - Wales Council for Voluntary Action - http://www.wcva.org.uk/funding/search - and Grant Tracker for Northern Ireland - https://www.grant-tracker.org/.

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Website and Facebook grants

The Transform Foundation is offering funding to charities to help with new website builds.  Grants of £18,000 are available.    It is also offering grants towards Facebook advertising of £5,000.   For further information and to apply, visit www.transformfoundation.org.uk.

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Google and charities

Google is offering a service to registered charities which brings: Google Ad Grants: Free AdWords advertising to promote their websites on Google through keyword targeting; YouTube Nonprofit Programme: Access exclusive resources, features and programs designed to maximise their organisations’ impact on YouTube; and Google Apps for Non-profit: Free version of the Google Apps business productivity suite, including Gmail, Docs, Calendar and more.  For further information, visit www.google.co.uk/intl/en/nonprofits/join. 

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Subsidised fundraising workshops

The Foundation for Social Improvement offers heavily subsidised training programmes for small charities across the UK.  The courses cover a wide range of subjects from event planning to leadership. Many of the courses focus on fundraising and sustainability skills in particular.  

Further information and dates for upcoming courses in February and March can be found at http://www.thefsi.org/services/training.

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SPECIAL WEEKS/DAYS

Dates for Special Weeks and Days taking place throughout the year

World Interfaith Harmony Week takes place in the first week of February.  It is a UN recognised Week which was proposed to the UN General Assembly by HM King Abdullah of Jordan.  The first UN World Interfaith Harmony Week took place in February 2011. http://worldinterfaithharmonyweek.com

VisitMyMosque Day 2019 will take place on Sunday 3 March.  In 2018 over 200 mosques across the UK held open days to welcome in their neighbours from other communities.   This year, to mark its 5th Anniversary, VisitMyMosque Day is working in collaboration with the national environment charity Keep Britain Tidy to celebrate mosques that have been going green and encouraging street cleans. For further information, visit www.visitmymosque.org.

Sadaqa Day will take place on Sunday 24 March.  It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Muslim community.   mysadaqaday.org

The Big Lunch will be taking place across the weekend of 1-2 June.  Across the years millions of people from different faith backgrounds have joined together to take part through street parties, BBQs, iftars and picnics.  https://www.edenprojectcommunities.com/thebiglunchhomepage

Refugee Week is taking place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June.   Two conferences are being held in February in Coventry and London to prepare for the Week.  http://refugeeweek.org.uk/

The Great Get Together will be taking place across the weekend of 21-23 June.  The initiative was set up in 2017 inspired by Jo Cox MP who died the previous year.   It encourages communities to come together through activities such as street parties, sports days, BBQs, picnics and coffee mornings. https://www.greatgettogether.org/

Remembering Srebrenica Memorial Week will be held from Sunday 7 to Sunday 14 July.   https://www.srebrenica.org.uk/

Sewa Day will take place on Sunday 6 October.  It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Hindu community.    http://www.sewaday.org/

One World Week 40th anniversary takes place from Sunday 20 to Sunday 27 October.    Its theme for this year is currently being developed and they would welcome ideas.      www.oneworldweek.org

Inter Faith Week will take place from Sunday 10 to Sunday 17 November. It is led by the Inter Faith Network for the UK.   www.interfaithweek.org

Scottish Interfaith Week will take place from Sunday 10 to Sunday 17 November.  Scottish Interfaith Week is led by Interfaith Scotland.  www.scottishinterfaithweek.org

Mitzvah Day will take place on Sunday 17 November. It is an annual day of faith-based social action led by the Jewish community.  On Mitzvah Day, people give their time, not their money, to make a difference to the community around them.  Many events and projects held for the day have an inter faith focus.  www.mitzvahday.org.uk/

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Diary Dates

Information on some of the inter faith events taking place around the UK

This section includes a sample of some of the events taking place around the UK during February.   We also include information on diary dates between e-bulletins on the IFN website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/events.

Edinburgh Interfaith Association is holding a special inter faith community meal and lecture called ‘News from the Earth’ on Monday 4 February.   The lecture will be given by the Rev David Coleman, Environmental Chaplain for Eco-Congregation Scotland which is “a movement of Scottish church congregations, of all denominations and none, committed to addressing environmental issues through their life and mission”.  It is being held at 6pm at the City of Edinburgh Methodist Church, 25 Nicolson Square, Edinburgh EH8 9BX.  For further information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/news-from-the-earth-a-community-meal-tickets-54833149426.

St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace is holding an evening ‘On Forgiveness and reconciliation: learning and growing in our human abilities for peace’ with Dr Juanma Robles on Tuesday 5 February. The event will take place at St Ethelburga’s Centre, 78 Bishopsgate, London, EC2N 4AG from 7.00pm to 9.00pm. There is a fee to attend. For more information visit https://stethelburgas.org/event/on-forgiveness-and-reconciliation-learning-and-growing-in-our-human-abilities-for-peace/ or call 020 7496 1610.

York Interfaith Group is holding a meeting on ‘Faiths and Ageing’ on Tuesday 5 February. The meeting will be chaired by the Revd Dr Michael Chester, and the Revd Dr Keith R Albans, Superintendent Minister on the York Circuit of Methodist Churches, will be speaking. It will be held in the Hudson Room, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA from 7.30pm to 9pm.  For more information email yorkinterfaithgroup@gmail.com or visit www.yorkinterfaith.org. 

The South Lakeland Equality & Diversity Partnership (SLEDP) is holding an event on Tuesday 5 February for World Interfaith Harmony Week, presenting the Cumbrian launch of the third edition (2018) and first Cumbria supplement (2019) of Religion, Belief and Culture in our Community: Understanding, respecting and valuing the diverse cultures of the United Kingdom. The event includes a number of speakers and will take place at Kendal Town Hall, Highgate, Kendal, Cumbria LA9 4ED from 10am to 11 am.   Light refreshments will be available. For more information, contact sledp2016@gmail.com.

The London Inter Faith Centre is holding the second seminar of a six week series around the question “Does Religion Have a Place in the 21st Century?” on Wednesday 6 February. The event will take place at St Anne’s and St Andrew’s Church, 125 Salusbury Road, NW6 6RG from 2 - 3.30pm. There is a fee to attend. For more information, contact laurence.hillel@londoninterfaith.org.uk or visit http://londoninterfaith.org.uk/

Religions for Peace UK Women of Faith Network is holding an Interfaith Event on “Women of Faith: Working for Peace and Human Rights” on Wednesday 6 February in celebration of the World Interfaith Harmony Week. The event will take place from 12.30 to 3.30pm at the Interfaith Scotland Dialogue Centre, Flemington House, 110 Flemington Street, Springburn, Glasgow, G21 4BF. Vegetarian lunch will be provided. To register, contact admin@interfaithscotland.org.

Guildford and Godalming Interfaith Forum is holding an event on Thursday 7 February to mark UN Interfaith Harmony Week.  The topic will be “Can female leadership be a force for change and renewal in religion?”. It will be held at St Nicholas Church, Guildford at 7pm. For more information, contact Carolyn Neogi at carolynneogi@aol.com or on 01483 415 773. 

The Gandhi Foundation is holding its annual Multifaith Celebration for Mahatma Gandhi on Saturday 9 February. The event will celebrate the 70th anniversary of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights and commemorate the 71st anniversary of the assassination of Mahatma Gandhi. It will include performances by Sacred Sounds, a capella group, poetry by Dennis Evans and talks by the minister of the Unitarian Church Feargus O'Connor, Rev Nagase (of the Battersea Park Peace Pagoda and Human Rights campaigner Dr Kishan Manocha.   The event will take place at 6.30pm at the Golders Green Unitarian Church, 31 Hoop Lane, London NW11 8BS.   For further information and to register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/gandhi-foundation-multi-faith-celebration-2019-tickets-55134077510.

Woking Action for Peace, Friends of the Earth, Surrey Faith Links, Woking LA21, Woking Quakers and Woking People of Faith are holding a Woking Debate on “Modern Slavery: What is it and is it happening in Woking?” on Saturday 9 February. The event will take place at Christ Church, Jubilee Square, Woking, GU21 6YG from 11am to 12.30pm with refreshments available from 10.30am. For more information, contact Ketih Scott at ketihsc_2000@yahoo.com or 01483 824980.

The Women’s Interfaith Forum in Sheffield is holding an event on Sunday 10 February on ‘Faith and Society: The Common Good’. The event will be held from 1pm to 3pm at St Mary’s, Bramall Lane, Sheffield, S2 4QZ.   Participants are invited to bring vegetarian food to share.  Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Rev Claire Dawson at Claire.dawson@sheffield.anglican.org or Maryam Akhtar at minhajsisterssheffield@gmail.com.

Interfaith Glasgow and St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art are holding their next Faith to Faith dialogue series event on Sunday 10 February on ‘Coping with Death and Dying’.  Speakers from the Humanist and Muslim communities will discuss their experiences of conducting funeral ceremonies and their respective approaches to death.  It is being held from 2pm to 4pm at St Mungo Museum. To register, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/faith-to-faith-coping-with-death-and-dying-tickets-54583932010.

Woking People of Faith is holding a discussion on ‘Can Faith Institutions Save Our Planet?’ on Tuesday 12 February, at 7pm, at HG Wells Conference Centre, Woking.  Bishop of Guildford, Andrew Watson will speak from a Christian perspective and Shaukat Warraich, Founder and CEO of Faith Associates, will speak from the Islamic perspective. To book a ticket, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/can-faith-institutions-save-our-planet-tickets-53534072853 or email administrator@wpof.org.uk for more information.   

Building Bridges in Burnley is holding an event entitled “Bridge Builder” on Tuesday 12 February. The event is being held from 7.30pm to 8.00pm in Bishop Philip North’s home at Dean House in Burnley.  For more information, contact Bea Foster at bea_foster@hotmail.com or on 07875 517043.

The Sion Centre for Dialogue and Encounter is holding a day of Muslim/Jewish Dialogue on ‘Keeping the Lay in a Secular Society’ on Wednesday 13 February. The dialogue will be lead by Humeral Kahn and Rabbi Rachel Montagu. It will take place from 11am to 3.15pm at the Sion Centre, 34 Chepstow Villas, London W11 2QZ. Tea and coffee will already be available from 10.30am.  Participants are kindly requested to bring a packed lunch. For more information, contact sioncentrefordialogue@gmail.com.

The London Inter Faith Centre is holding the third seminar of a six week series around the question “Does Religion Have a Place in the 21st Century?” on Wednesday 13 February. The event will take place at St Anne’s and St Andrew’s Church, 125 Salusbury Road, NW6 6RG from 2pm to 3.30pm. There is a fee to attend. For more information, contact laurence.hillel@londoninterfaith.org.uk or visit http://londoninterfaith.org.uk/.

Leeds Concord Interfaith Fellowship is holding an evening of ‘Poetry and Praise’ on Monday 18 February at 7.30pm at the Quaker Meeting House, Woodhouse Lane, LS2 9DX. Those attending are asked to bring their favourite passages of spiritually uplifting poetry or prose to share. For more information, contact John Summerwill on 0113 269 7895 or at chair@concord-leeds.org.uk.

Elmbridge Multi-Faith is organising a visit to the West London Synagogue on Tuesday 19 February. The coach leaves Thames Ditton Centre, Mercer Close, Thames Dittion, KT7 0BS at 9.30am and arrives back to the centre at 4pm. The number of seats is limited and there is a fee for transportation. For more information or to register, contact Geoffrey Morris at geoffreymorris@emas-bc.co.uk or call 01932 868454.

The Philosophy Department, University of Sheffield in partnership with Sheffield Cathedral is holding a talk entitled ‘Religion, atheism and the varieties of the good life’ on Tuesday 19 February 2019 from 7.30pm to 9pm, at Sheffield Cathedral, Church Street, S1 1HA. John Gray will give a lecture examining the history of atheism over the past several centuries, and asking which morality atheists should follow. This will be the second event in the series of talks: ‘God and the Good: Thinking Religion and Ethics’. The series is intended for a general audience, and will consider the relation between religious thinking and traditions, and ethics. All are welcome and there is no need to register. For more information, visit https://sheffieldinterfaith.org.uk/category/events/.

Watford Interfaith Association (WIFA) is holding its annual general meeting on Tuesday 19 February from 7pm. The Chief Inspector of the Watford area of Hertfordshire Constabulary will speak. Frances Novillo, the town centre chaplain, will also give a short address. All are welcome and the event includes refreshments. For more information, contact brunijh@aol.com.

Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group is holding its next meeting on Wednesday 20 February. The meeting will be led by Jewish scholar, Jonathan Gorsky.   It is being held from 4pm to 5pm in the Hinsley Room, Morpeth Terrace, SW1P 1EP. For more information, contact John Woodhouse by text on 07908 888 586 or by email on woodhousesopten@btinternet.com.

The Bristol Multi-Faith Forum is holding a Diverse Doors Open Day on Sunday 24 February. This day offers the opportunity to visit a range of places of worship and discover the many faith communities that exist in Bristol. To take part, please contact info@bristolmultifaithforum.org.uk, or call 07789 04267.

Crawley Interfaith Network is hosting a talk on Thursday 28 February on ‘Happy science connects global religions’. The talk will be given by Remigijus Jakulevicius, MA and will be followed by a Q&A session.  It will be held from 7pm to 9pm at the Orchard, 1-2 Gleneagles Court, Brighton Road, Crawley, RH10 6AD.  For further details, contact Iyad Daoud at iyadhdaoud@yahoo.co.uk or 01293 883372.

 

More information on events and projects in Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales:

Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum:  www.niinterfaithforum.org

Interfaith Scotland:  www.interfaithscotland.org

Inter-faith Council for Wales:  www.interfaithwales.org.uk

 

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By leaving a gift in your will to the Inter Faith Network for the UK, you can leave a living inheritance to help deepen and strengthen inter faith understanding and cooperation in this country – for now and for the future. If you are thinking about making a will, the best thing to do is to get in touch with a professional will writer, such as a solicitor or advocate; they can help to ensure it is legally correct and that your wishes are met. If you have already made a will, you can still make an addition or amendment in the form of a codicil. If you would like to pledge a gift, please provide our name and address, along with our registered charity number 1068934.

Please get in touch with us if you have any queries. You can call us on 0207 730 0410 or contact us at remember@interfaith.org.uk

 

If you have items which you would like considered for inclusion in the next e-bulletin please email these to ifnet@interfaith.org.uk by 18 March with ‘e-bulletin’ in the subject line.  Submissions may be edited for length or style.

Disclaimer: Information in this bulletin has been sourced and compiled with care.  IFN does not take responsibility for accuracy of information supplied by external organisations and inclusion of items within this e-bulletin does not imply endorsement or validation by IFN of the events, publications or the bodies which have produced these.

 

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