The Inter Faith Network

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IFN e-bulletin June 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’.

This is a web version of IFN's June 2019 E-bulletin. A PDF version of this and past e-bulletins can be found here.

Contents

The e-bulletin can be read by scrolling through. If you prefer to go to a particular section, click on its title below. 

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

Faith and inter faith responses to attacks in Sri Lanka and California

Many faith and inter faith organisations in the UK were among those who responded through messages, statements, vigils, services, prayers and times of silence to the 21 April Easter Day terrorist attacks in Sri Lanka. A list of responses by IFN member faith and inter faith bodies can be found at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/sri-lanka-easter-day-terrorist-attacks-responses-by-faith-and-inter-faith-bodies.

On 22 April IFN’s Co-Chairs and the Moderators of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum issued the following statement in response to the attacks:

“Following the barbaric Easter Day terrorist attacks on churches and other properties in Sri Lanka, many people in the UK have been coming together to express their condolences and stand in solidarity.

As we said after the terrorist attacks in Pittsburgh USA and Christchurch New Zealand – such attacks on places of worship are a reminder of the need to condemn extremist violence in the strongest terms and to stand together and to continue to work together with ever greater urgency against ignorance, prejudice and hatred.  Hatred targeting any community because of its faith and belief is a scourge that cannot be tolerated. There must be freedom for all communities to worship and practise their faith freely and without fear.”

A copy of this statement is also on the IFN website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/standing-together-statement-following-easter-day-terrorist-attacks-in-sri-lanka. IFN’s Policy on the making of statements is at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/uploads/Policy_on_making_of_statements.pdf.

Following the attack on the Chabad of Poway Synagogue in California on 27 April, IFN’s Co-Chairs sent a message to IFN member bodies repeating the points in the Sri Lanka statement and saying that their thoughts and prayers were with those killed and injured in the murderous attack.

A copy of this message is also on IFN’s website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/news/message-from-the-co-chairs-responding-together-following-chabad-of-poway-at.

Relevant in this context is Looking After One Another: The Safety and Security of our Faith Communities published by IFN in partnership with the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, the Home Office, the Crown Prosecution Service, the National Police Chiefs’ Council and the National Fire Chiefs’ Council. It contains guidance on responding jointly to attacks on places of worship; working for calm at times of tension; and working to build on and strengthen existing good inter faith relations. It also contains material about how and where to report hate incidents, cyber-attacks, and actual or suspected terrorist activity; where to find information on strengthening the security of buildings; and where to find information about working to build – and strengthen – good inter faith relations locally.

A useful short guide, Security for Places of Worship, is produced by the Community Security Trust and can be found at https://cst.org.uk/publications/cst-publications.

Also relevant is the National Counter Terrorism Security Office’ Crowded Places Guidance, which is at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/crowded-places-guidance.

Information on the Government’s Places of Worship Security funding scheme is below.

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EHRC investigation into Antisemitism allegations and filing of complaint with EHRC about allegations of Islamophobia

On 28 May the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) launched an investigation into allegations of Antisemitism in The Labour Party, saying “We contacted The Labour Party after receiving a number of complaints about allegations of antisemitism in the Party.  We have carefully considered the response we have received from the Party and have opened a formal investigation.”  Once the investigation has finished the EHRC will publish a report of its findings, which may include recommendations.   Further information, including the full Terms of Reference of the investigation, is at  

https://www.equalityhumanrights.com/en/inquiries-and-investigations/investigation-labour-party.

On the same day the Muslim Council of Britain filed a formal complaint to the EHRC about Islamophobia in the Conservative Party. An EHRC spokesperson said: “We have received complaints regarding the Conservative party and are considering them in line with our usual processes. As part of our standard process, we have written to the Conservative party to ask for information in order to help assess the complaints.”  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48434202

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Government rejects APPG definition of Islamophobia

 

The Government has rejected the working definition of Islamophobia developed by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims, published in Autumn 2018, and has said that it will instead by appointing two advisers to examine the issue further.  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-48283337  The House of Commons debated the definition on 16 May https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2019-05-16/debates/CF834846-65CA-46CD-B955-CDEF42BAFB26/DefinitionOfIslamophobia.

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Integrated Communities Innovation Fund – projects announced

On 20 May Lord Bourne, Communities Minister, announced 16 projects which will be receiving £3million of new funding to support innovative approaches to integration.  The Innovation Fund, delivered in partnership with Sport England, is supporting projects “using innovative approaches to tackle the barriers to integration and build integrated communities” and has given funding to projects working with people from different backgrounds.  Further information is at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/tens-of-thousands-to-benefit-from-integrated-communities-innovation-fund.

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Faith Leader Training Initiative for England

In its Integrated Communities Action Plan the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government said that it would commission/develop training for faith leaders “to help those who do not have access to institutional support to better understand their rights and responsibilities and their shared values, as well as navigating the greater demands being placed on faith leaders by the changing and growing needs of congregations”.

The Faith Leader Training Initiative for England is now available.  It is provided free of charge and is led by the Edward Cadbury Centre for the Public Understanding of Religion.   The programme is described as suitable for anyone with leadership responsibilities in a faith community.  It comprises four non-consecutive training days beginning in June in Manchester, Birmingham and London (with Leeds to follow in the Autumn).   Alternatively, faith leaders can take the online version of course.

For more information, or to book a place, visit https://spark.adobe.com/page/NuyVB2k73JSn7/ or www.birmingham.ac.uk/FLTI.  Any queries can be sent to flti@contacts.bham.ac.uk, or the programme co-ordinator at A.Davies.4@bham.ac.uk.

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Government measures to update crematoria provisions

On 8 April, the Government announced a package of measures to reflect the needs of different cultures and faiths in modern Britain.  This announcement followed its review of crematoria provisions and facilities, which received around 150 responses from faith and belief groups.

The package includes a consultation to revise national guidance on the siting and design of crematoria, and an offer to support community groups interested in operating their own. Further information and the full consultation response can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-government-measures-to-update-crematoria-provisions.

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Consultation on Coronial Investigations of Stillbirths

The Ministry of Justice and Department of Health and Social Care are holding a public consultation on coronial investigations of stillbirths in England and Wales. The consultation seeks views on the merits of coroners inquiring into the causes of stillbirths and contains proposals as to when and how those investigations should take place.  Given the very sensitive nature of the issue, they would like to hear from a diverse range of individuals and communities.

The consultation closes on 18 June and is available at https://consult.justice.gov.uk/digital-communications/coronial-investigations-of-stillbirths/.   Any queries can be emailed to CoronerReview@justice.gov.uk.

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 Investigation into Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings

On 2 May the Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse announced a new investigation into Child Protection in Religious Organisations and Settings.  The Definition of Scope of the new investigation has been published on the Inquiry’s website at https://www.iicsa.org.uk/investigation/child-protection-religious-organisations-and-settings. 

There are a number of ways in which an individual or organisation may contribute to the work of the Inquiry, including providing documentary or witness evidence to the Inquiry.  The Inquiry may contact individuals or organisations with a request for evidence. For those who may wish to apply for core participant status, further information about the role of core participants and how to apply for core participant status is available on the Inquiry’s website. The Inquiry is inviting individuals and organisations who wish to apply to be designated as core participants in this new investigation to do so as soon as possible and in any event by 4pm on 13 June.

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Windrush Day

As part of the celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the arrival of the MV Empire Windrush, the Prime Minister announced last year that the Government will mark Windrush Day on 22 June each year. This day marks the service and sacrifice of the Windrush generation and their descendants. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/annual-day-of-celebrations-for-the-windrush-generation

A £500,000 fund is available each year to educate, commemorate and celebrate their contribution.   £350,000 is exclusively provided to local authorities, whilst £150,000 is available for charities and community groups.  An Advisory Panel, made up of community representatives from locations around the country, provides advice directly to government. Its key focus is ensuring that winning bids are appropriate and resonate with Caribbean communities. Information on grants allocated this year can be found at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/communities-across-the-country-given-500000-to-commemorate-windrush-generation.  

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Inter faith iftars

Ramadan, which will shortly be ending, has seen inter faith and open iftars taking place across the UK.  These have been in mosques, cathedrals, synagogues and other places of worship; on streets; in schools; in markets; and in many other places. People of all faiths and none have been coming together and eating in fellowship.  Links for many of these, from Barnet to Bolton and Peterborough to Portsmouth, were highlighted on IFN’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/ifnetuk/posts/2410045682379326.

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INTER FAITH NETWORK FOR THE UK NEWS

Meeting of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum

A meeting of IFN’s Faith Communities Forum was held on 14 May. On the agenda, as well as IFN matters, were:

  • Faith communities and climate change, with a short opening reflection from Mohinder Singh Chana, Network of Sikh Organisations, on the theme of care for the planet in the Sikh tradition and a presentation from Paul Parker, Recording Clerk, Quakers in Britain;
  • Faith communities and security of places of worship, with a presentation from Home Office Hate Crime Team Policy Advisers;
  • current issues of interest or concern to faith communities; and
  • the inter faith engagement of faith communities.

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Meeting of national inter faith linking bodies in the devolved nations

The Inter Faith Network links in membership the national inter faith linking bodies of the devolved nations: Interfaith Scotland, the Inter-Faith Council for Wales, and the Northern Ireland Inter-Faith Forum.  These are represented on IFN’s Board.  IFN works closely with these bodies and each year convenes a meeting with them to enable sharing of news and good practice.

The annual meetings rotate between Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales.  The 2019 meeting took place on 7 May, hosted by the Inter-faith Council for Wales in Cardiff.

Issues on the agenda included: Inter Faith Week; Matters of interest and concern, such as responding to terrorist/extremist attacks, domestic and international – thinking about the role of national inter faith linking bodies in this, hate crime, hate incidents and faith communities - reflecting on national inter faith linking bodies role in supporting response, climate change and youth engagement; and a brief round-up of key developments within each organisation since the last meeting.

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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.

The flyer for the 2019 Week can be downloaded at www.interfaithweek.org/flyer. Please do circulate this to your networks.  Printed copies can be ordered from the IFN office by emailing ashley.beck@interfaith.org.uk.

To subscribe to the Inter Faith Week mailing list, submit your details at https://www.interfaithweek.org/static/sign-up.

The Inter Faith Youth Trust is offering grants of up to £800 for Inter Faith Week projects and events with young people.  Further information is below.

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INTER FAITH PROJECTS, PROGRAMMES AND DEVELOPMENTS

Faith communities and the environment – Lobby of Parliament

The Climate Coalition is a group of over 130 organisations including a number of faith bodies. https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/faith-members 

It will be holding a mass lobby of parliament on climate change on the afternoon of 26 June. https://www.theclimatecoalition.org/thetimeisnow 

Represented on it is the Faith for the Climate Network, an inter faith network of 90 faith based organisations and individuals working on climate change involving the Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim and Sikh traditions.  St John’s Waterloo provides the secretariat. https://www.stjohnswaterloo.org/climate 

On 26 June, the Faith for the Climate Network will be running inter faith climate workshops and organising a procession through central London to join the mass rally outside parliament at 1pm.  For details, see www.thetimeisnowfaithevents.eventbrite.com.

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Inter faith developments in Wales

The Interfaith Council for Wales (Cyngor Rhyngffydd Cymru) has a new website:  https://www.interfaithcouncilwales.cymru/welcome/.

On 20 May the Rev Aled Edwards, Secretary of the Interfaith Council for Wales, gave the 2019 Gethin Abraham-Williams Memorial Lecture on ‘Faith, Devolution and Global Politics’ in the Senedd, Cardiff. The lecture will be published in due course. For further information, email post@cytun.cymru.

The Church in Wales is sponsoring a large tent to host inter faith activities at the ‘Gower Shower’ on 4 August.    For further information, visit the Swansea Inter-Faith Forum Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/SwanseaInterfaith/.

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#ActiveAllies Campaign – Nisa-Nashim

Nisa-Nashim is running a campaign focussing on Jewish and Muslim women standing together against Antisemitism and Islamophobia.  It has developed a Charter, which is called ‘A Commitment to being #ActiveAllies’. To read the Charter and for more information on the campaign, visit https://www.nisanashim.org/activeallies-campaign/.

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Faith in Diversity: Cultural sensitivity and spiritual care

The East of England Faiths Agency has been running a course entitled ‘Faith in Diversity: Cultural sensitivity and spiritual care’.  Participants will be continuing meet to explore further the subject of faith and spirituality and a charity is being established as a framework for this work.  The constitution of this new group can be seen on http://www.eefa.net/fsns.   Anyone interested in becoming involved with the group can register interest by sending their name, address and telephone number to fsns@eefa.net. 

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Innovative Approaches to Education about Religion

The Faiths & Civil Society Unit (FCSU), Goldsmiths, University of London and the Education for Social Justice Research group at London South Bank University have launched a new project exploring and showcasing innovative approaches to education about religion, belief and worldviews in schools.   The project seeks to highlight examples of good practice and to complement debates about change in policy and practice.

The project builds on the FCSU’s 2015 Report RE for REal - The Future of Teaching and Learning about Religion and Belief (https://www.gold.ac.uk/media/documents-by-section/departments/research-centres-and-units/research-units/faiths-and-civil-society/REforREal-web-b.pdf).   It will focus on the study of the category of religion and belief, as well exploring the real religious landscape instead of the landscape imagined in traditional RE.   Further information is available from Adam Dinham at a.dinham@gold.ac.uk.

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RESOURCES AND STUDY/TRAINING 

For Refugees, With Refugees: Advancing Interfaith Responses – CCJ resource

The Council of Christians and Jews has created a resource for communities and faith leaders, which provides guidance on launching inter faith projects to help refugees. It contains ideas for projects, Christian and Jewish reflections and further resources that provide additional help.

To download the resource, visit http://www.ccj.org.uk/for-refugees-with-refugees-advancing-interfaith-responses/.

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Report on ‘Faith, Belief and Inclusion’

The Faith & Belief Forum and the Department of Psychosocial Studies at Birkbeck, University of London has released a report,  ‘Faith, Belief and Inclusion’. This draws on finding from a roundtable discussion from June 2018, which brought together local organisations, academics and policy experts to look at factors for exclusion for Londoners of different faiths and beliefs and good practice on inclusion. To download the report, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/report.

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Faith & Belief Forum - LGBT+Faith training

The Faith & Belief Forum LGBT+Faith programme has regional training days coming up in Glasgow, Bristol, Norwich, Leeds and London. The training provides a space to reflect, learn, and build practice for working with and supporting LGBT+ people of faith. 

For further information and to register, visit https://faithbeliefforum.org/programme/lgbtfaith/.

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Woolf Institute course - Jews, Christians and Muslims in Europe: Modern Challenges

The Woolf Institute in Cambridge is now accepting applications for its online course Jews, Christians and Muslims in Europe: Modern Challenges.  This multidisciplinary course looks at historical trends, religious and cultural interaction and issues of contemporary citizenship.

The course begins on 2 September and applications close on 1 August 2019. More information can be found at https://www.woolf.cam.ac.uk/study/online-courses/jews-christians-and-muslims-in-europe-modern-challenges.

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CALLS FOR INFORMATION, COMPETITIONS, AND NOMINATIONS

Modest fashion in UK women's working life – Call for research participants

The University of the Arts, London, is leading on a project looking at how religiously-related modest fashion and associated behaviours impact on UK women's working lives – regardless of their own religious or secular community or beliefs. The research uses two comparative case studies: women who work for UK faith-based employers, such as faith-based schools, businesses, and charities; and women who work for secular UK employers whose work takes them to Saudi Arabia, where they need to adjust to religious codes of dress and gender segregation. 

As part of the project, the research team is looking to interview in confidence people from a wide range of backgrounds, religions and beliefs, including non-religious:

  • Women employed by secular companies and organisations in the UK who have worn an abaya (long outwear robe, sometimes with a headscarf) when their work took them to Saudi Arabia
  • Women who have had experiences of adapting their dress when working for and with faith-based organisations (e.g. businesses, schools, charities and publicly-funded organisations with a religious ethos)
  • HR professionals who have experience dealing with religiously related codes of modest dress and behaviour in the workplace

Anyone interested in taking part should email modestfashionworkwear@arts.ac.uk. Further information on the project is at https://www.arts.ac.uk/research/current-research-and-projects/curation-and-culture/modest-fashion.

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Religions for Peace UK – call for information on conflict and the environment

Religions for Peace UK is currently developing its strategy for transforming conflict and protecting the environment over the coming five years.

It has set up a survey to enable it to better understand work that other organisations are already undertaking on conflict and the environment, in order to assess what work it can do in the future and how it can work with others for maximum impact.  The survey can be found at https://forms.gle/9FCLw7gpv5QAe9ibA and the closing date is 7June.

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World Congress of Faiths – Call for papers on conflict, reconciliation and inter faith relations

The World Congress of Faiths is seeking papers to be presented at its forthcoming conference, ‘Meetings of Minds: Conflict, Reconciliation and Inter Faith Relations’, at Coventry Cathedral in September.  It is considering papers on questions such as: What can faith communities learn from studies in reconciliation? Can there be mutual benefit between education for reconciliation and spiritual encounter between faiths? What might a polarised society expect from inter faith relations?  It is also considering papers on topics such as preparing young people for faith diversity and navigating prejudice, toleration, and reconciliation in the global context of inter faith relations and thought

For further information, contact Jenny Kartupelis at jenny@worldfaiths.org.

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Future of Legal Gender: Interviews on implications of legal reform for religious communities

The Future of Legal Gender project, a three year research project funded by the Economic and Social Research Council and based at King's College London, would like to interview organisations or individuals who can help them explore the implications of gender-related law reform for religious communities. The project explores questions to do with how gender is treated in law.

At this stage in the project, it is focusing on the implications of different gender-related reform options for religious communities, particularly those which cross-over with minority ethnic communities, and for faiths which, in orthodox form, distinguish between men and women in their religious and every day practice. 

Further information on the project is available at https://futureoflegalgender.kcl.ac.uk/.  Anyone willing to participate through an interview, or who would like to discuss this further, should email Robyn Emerton at robyn.emerton@kcl.ac.uk.

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NATRE Spirited Arts competition

The National Association of Teachers of Religious Education (NATRE)’s annual Spirited Arts competition is open for entries until 31 July. Entries should be artwork based on this year’s RE-related themes. The competition is open to school pupils and will be judged in August by RE Today Advisers and students.  Winners will be announced in the new academic year. For full details of the competition, including the themes and how to enter, visit https://www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/projects/spirited-arts/spirited-arts-2019/.

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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 – Summer Internship and Project Officer

The Inter Faith Network for the UK is currently advertising two roles:

  • Summer Internship
    July to September, 4 days per week, closing date 14 June
  • Project Officer
    July to March, 5 days per week, closing date 28 June

Further information about both, including job descriptions and application forms can be found on our website at https://www.interfaith.org.uk/involved/vacancies/jobs.

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Council of Christians and Jews - Programmes Internship and Assistant to Programmes

CCJ is seeking to appoint a Programmes Intern to assist with CCJ’s Campus Leadership Programme.  This is a paid internship, 2 days per week during July.  Further information, including a role description and information on how to apply is online. The closing date is 9am on 14 June. 

CCJ is also seeking to appoint a part-time programming assistant to deliver projects which contribute towards positive relationships between Christians and Jews in the UK.  This is a paid internship of 10-14 hours per week.  Applications will be considered on a rolling basis.

For further information on both roles, visit http://www.ccj.org.uk/contact_ccj/recruitment.

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Faith & Belief Forum – Major Donor Fundraiser

The Faith & Belief Forum (FBF) is seeking to appoint a Major Donor Fundraiser to lead on the delivery of its Major Donor Fundraising Strategy.  The role is full time, based in London.  FBF is looking to fill this role as soon as possible and will be conducting interviews on an ongoing basis.  Further information, including a job description and application form, is at https://faithbeliefforum.org/career/major-donor-fundraiser/.

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Interfaith Glasgow – Volunteers

Interfaith Glasgow has a number of volunteering opportunities to assist with various projects. For further information, contact info@interfaithglasgow.org.

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FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES

Places of Worship – Security funding scheme

The Places of Worship Fund, established in 2016 as part of the Government’s Hate Crime Action Plan, provides financial support for physical protective security such as fencing, lighting and CCTV.  The Government at that time committed funding of £2.4 million over 3 years. A further £1.6 million was announced after the New Zealand mosque attacks.

Organisations no longer have to prove, in order to be eligible, that they have previously experienced a hate crime incident directly.

For more information, visit https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme. 

There is also a separate £5 million fund being made available over 3 years to provide protective security training to build on some of the positive work already happening in communities.  The Home Office will be working closely with communities and faith leaders to develop this new scheme.

Further information is at https://www.gov.uk/government/news/places-of-worship-to-get-security-funding-boost with further details to be published.

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Inter Faith Youth Trust - Inter Faith Week grants

As in previous years, the Inter Faith Youth Trust will be making available a special programme of grants for Inter Faith Week 2019.   This year the Trust will be awarding grants of up to £800.  Grants are awarded for proposals for inter-faith activities by children and young people from Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh and other faiths and those of no formal faith. The age range for young people is 11-25 years.  Priority will be given to projects which actively involve young people in planning, running, and evaluation of the project; promote positive action; and are run by non-statutory organisations, such as youth clubs, scout/guide groups, local voluntary and community organisations.

The application form can be downloaded at www.ifyouthtrust.org.uk/. The deadline for the submission of forms is 24 August.

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Windrush compensation scheme

The Windrush Compensation Scheme is open to those who settled in the UK from a Commonwealth country before 1973, and in certain circumstances their children and grandchildren.   It provides payments to individuals who suffered losses as a result of not being able to evidence their lawful status in the UK.   These could range from a loss of employment or access to housing, benefits, education or NHS healthcare to emotional distress or deterioration in mental and physical health.  Additionally, it is open to all nationalities who arrived to live in the UK before 31 December 1988 and are settled here.  Claim forms can be downloaded and guidance on completing the application can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/windrush-compensation-scheme.  Claimants can also request a form to be sent by post by calling our helpline on 0800 678 1925 or via email WindrushCompensationScheme@homeoffice.gov.uk where they can also request a call back if they are overseas.

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Sport England: The Workforce Diversity Great Ideas Fund

Sport England has launched a new fund to support the diversity of the sport and physical activity workforce.   Its ambition is ‘to help ensure people working in sport and physical activity are skilled, motivated, valued, equipped for their role, are enjoying a positive experience and is representative of our diverse nation’.

It is making up to £1 million available to ‘diversify coaches and volunteers’ in the sport and physical activity sector.  The Workforce Diversity Great Ideas Fund will be open for a month, from 3 June, and they want to hear from anyone wanting to engage women and/or BAME communities in volunteering or coaching opportunities.

Details can be found at https://www.sportengland.org/news-and-features/news/2019/june/03/workforce-diversity-great-ideas-fund-launched/

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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 26 July.   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 April and May can be found at http://www.thefsi.org/services/training.

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SPECIAL WEEKS/DAYS

Refugee Week is taking place from Monday 17 to Sunday 23 June.   The theme for this year’s week is ‘You, me and those who came before’.  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 had been murdered by an extremist 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.    This year’s theme is ‘Bridging the Divide: Confronting Hate’. 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/

National Hate Crime Awareness Week will take place from Saturday 12 to Saturday 19 October. https://nationalhcaw.uk/

One World Week will take place from Sunday 20 to Sunday 27 October.   This is its 40th anniversary year.    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

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

York Interfaith Group is holding its next meeting on Tuesday 4 June.  The theme will be ‘Expressing Faith in Clothes and Symbols – Why do some faiths do it, and how do outsiders react?’. With a multi faith panel of speakers from the group, chaired by Sr Patricia Harriss CJ. It is being held from 7.30pm to 9pm in the Hudson Room, City of York Council, West Offices, Station Rise, York, YO1 6GA. For more information email yorkinterfaithgroup@gmail.com or visit www.yorkinterfaith.org. 

The Sion Centre for Dialogue and Encounter is holding the 49th Annual Cardinal Bea Memorial Lecture on Wednesday 5 June. This year will mark the 10th anniversary of the document ‘A time for Recommitment: 12 Points of Berlin’. Speakers will be Dr Debbi Weissman and Fr Peter Cullen. The event will take place at 7pm at the Sion Centre, 34 Chepstow Villas, London W11 2QZ. For more information, contact sioncentrefordialogue@gmail.com.

The Council of Christians and Jews together with the CCJ Central London branch and the Abraham Initiatives UK is holding an event on Thursday 6 June on ‘The Role of the Media in Building a Shared Society in Israel’. Ms Eman Safady will be in conversation with Mr Eran Singer. The event will be chaired by Dr Alice Wood. It will be taking place from 4pm to 6pm at a Central London location. For the venue information and to register, contact cjrelations@ccj.org.uk.

Westminster Interfaith is holding its 34th Annual Multi-Faith Pilgrimage for Peace on Saturday 8 June. This year’s Pilgrimage will take place in the London Borough of Merton.  It begins at Morden station at 9.25am and ends at Shree Ghanapathy Temple at 4.45pm with visits to a number of places of worship during the day.  For more information, and to register, contact Westminster Interfaith at 020 7931 6028 or jondaldin@rcdow.org.uk.

Interfaith Glasgow in partnership with St Mungo Museum of Religious Life and Art is holding the next ‘Faith to Faith’ event on Sunday 9 June. The topic will be ‘Science and Religion’.   It is being held from 2pm to 4pm at Flemington House, 110 Flemington Street, Glasgow G21 4TD.  For further information, contact info@interfaithglasgow.org.

Faiths Together in Croydon is holding its 5th annual Interfaith Bike Ride and Big Picnic on Sunday 9 June.  There two bike rides on offer: starting at 10am at Croydon Sports Arena and visiting 4 different places of worship; or starting at 10.30am at the Smooth Bean Café and ‘beating the bounds of the borough’.  Both rides end at 2pm at Park Hill Recreation Ground for a picnic.  There is no need to participate in the bike ride to attend the park gathering. For more information, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/interfaith-bike-rides-picnic-in-the-park-tickets-17015123693.

Torbay Interfaith Forum is holding a talk on Wednesday 12 June entitled ‘Spiritualism- a Personal Journey’.  Minister David Hopkins will be speaking. The talk will begin at 7.30pm, followed by refreshments, at The Friends’ Meeting house, 48 Tor Hill Road Torquay, TQ2 5RT. For more information, see http://torbayinterfaith.org.uk/.

Windsor and Maidenhead Community Forum is holding a Women’s Group Meeting on Wednesday 12 June.  The theme will be ‘Christian Pilgrimage’. Women of all faiths or none are welcome and there will be refreshments and speakers. It is being held from 1.30pm to 3.00pm on at the Maidenhead Synagogue, Grenfell Lodge, Ray Park Rd, Maidenhead SL6 8QX. For more information, visit http://www.wamcf.org/womens-group/.

The East London Three Faiths Forum is holding an event on Thursday 13 June on ‘Teaching by parable’. For more information, visit http://www.eastlondon3faiths.org/. 

Faiths in Sussex and Crawley Interfaith Network are holding a Summer Gathering on Saturday 15 June. The theme will be ‘Peace & Harmony for Humankind’ and there will be readings, chants, music and dance. The event is free of charge, open to all and will include refreshments. The gathering will run from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at the Langley Green Community Centre, Stagelands, Langley Green, Crawley, RH11 7PG. For more details, contact Iyad Daoud at iyadhdaoud@yahoo.co.uk or on 01293 883372.

Woking People of Faith is holding an inter faith football tournament on Saturday 15 June. The tournament is being held from 10am to 4pm at Winston Churchill School, Woking. To enter the tournament, or for further information, contact Zafar Iqbal at Zafar.Iqbal@woking.gov.uk or John West at john.west63@ntlworld.com.

Leeds Concord Interfaith Fellowship is organising a Walk of Friendship on Sunday 16 June. Meet at 12pm at Beeston Hill United Free Church, Malvern Road, Leeds LS11 8PD for coffee and talk. 12.45pm, the walk will continue to Guru Nanak Gurdwara, 78 Lady Pit Lane, Beeston, LS11 6DP for a talk and lunch. At 2.10pm, the walk will go on to the new Abu Huraira Masjid, Lodge Lane, Leeds, LS11 6LU, for a talk and refreshments. For more information, visit www.concord-leeds.org.uk.

The St Philip’s Centre, Leicester is holding its AGM on Wednesday 19 June. The Rt Revd Dr Francis-Dehqani, Bishop of Loughborough, will be speaking on the topic of ‘Learning to Live well Together’. Refreshments will be available from 5.00pm, with the speaker presenting at 5.30pm. The business meeting will start at 6.30pm and will be taking place at St Philip’s Church, Evington Road, Leicester, LE2 1HN. For further information, contact admin@stphilipscentre.co.uk.

Westminster Cathedral Interfaith Group is holding its next meeting on Wednesday 19 June. The meeting will be led by Jeremy Rodell of Humanists UK, who will be speaking on Secularism and our plural society.  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.

Nipponzan Myohoji, The London Peace Pagoda, is holding its 34th Annual Celebration on Saturday 22 June. The event takes place at 2pm at Battersea Park, Albert Bridge Road, London SW11 4NJ.  To register, contact the London Dojo (Temple) on 020 7228 9620 or londonpeacepagoda@gmail.com.

Hounslow Friends of Faith is holding its annual Walk of Peace and Friendship on Saturday 22 June. The walk will pass through various places of worship in Feltham, Hounslow and Bedfont. For further details, visit https://www.hounslowfriendsoffaith.org/events/event/annual-interfaith-walk-of-peace-and-friendship/.

Lewisham Interfaith is holding a Walk for Peace on Sunday 23 June.   It begins at 2pm at the Sivan Hindu Temple, 4A Clarendon Rise, Lewisham, London SE13 5ES.  For details of the full Walk, visit https://www.lewishaminterfaithforum.org.uk/ or email Megan Mellor at megan.mellor@lewisham.gov.uk.

Elmbridge Multi Faith Forum is holding its AGM on Tuesday 25 June. The conference will be on the topic of ‘Connecting with God - different faith perspectives’. This will be also be a ‘bring and share’ vegetarian finger food event. The meeting will start at 7pm at St John’s Church, 1 The Furrows, Walton-on Thames, Surrey, KT12 3JQ. For more information, visit https://www.elmbridgemultifaith.org.uk/.

Building Bridges in Burnley is holding its Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 26 June. The event will start at 7.00pm and will include a speaker.  It will be taking place at the IMAM organisation, Danehouse Road, Burnley, BB10 1AF.

The Roman Catholic Diocese of Hexham and Newcastle is holding its annual Christian-Muslim women’s Prayer Event on Saturday 29 June. The event is open to women of all faiths and none and children.  Readings from the Bible and the Qur’an on Mary will be shared, followed by some hymns and prayers for peace. The event will then proceed to the Holy Name parish hall for vegetarian refreshments and to share ideas, half a mile away from the shrine. The event will begin at 2.30pm and will be taking place at the ruined chapel of Our Lady, Jesmond Dene, at the bottom of Reid Park Road off Osborne Road, NE2. For more information or for help with travel arrangements, contact Maria Mackenzie on 07796372316, Hengameh Ashraf Emami on 07912749017 or Mary McLoughlin on 01912850391 or email interreligious.relations@diocesehn.org.uk.

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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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Items for inclusion in the next e-bulletin

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 22 July with ‘e-bulletin’ in the subject line.  Submissions may be edited for length or style.

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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   

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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