Church of England St Albans Diocese, in partnership with GRASSROOTS Luton, organised Inter Faith Week Event at St Albans Abbey AL1 1BY on Monday 14th Nov 2022 at 7:30 pm.
Please see the flyer here for more info about the event.
Over 125 people from different Christian denominations, and different faiths, and those of no religious background were welcomed from Beds, Herts & parts of the London borough of Barnet, covered by St Albans Diocese.
Talking of this first-of-its-kind event, the Diocesan Inter Faith Advisers Revd David Kesterton (Luton) and Revd Tony Rindl (Watford) said, “It was indeed a good opportunity to share inspiration from different faith perspectives and to welcome, meet and network with friends & invited guests from different faiths, cultures, and ethnicities.”
They added, “The evening certainly exceeded our expectations and we were again struck by the connections in the language used by the different faith representatives on the topics addressed.”
The themes covered by speakers from different faiths included Climate Change, Racial Justice, Refugees & Asylum Seekers, Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation. The speakers’ statements can be viewed here.
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore (Dean of St Albans Abbey), the official host of the event, stated “It was a very special evening. It was particularly good to meet and talk with lots of women who were in the room. Those I was sitting with all commented on the unity of language and purpose.”
The St Albans School students’ heartwarming performances enthralled everyone. The students recited poetry and sang a moving acapella version of "You raise me up".
It was wonderful that in addition to input from different faiths, musicians from St. Albans Abbey also performed instrumental music to make guests feel welcomed at the Abbey.
In the end, a short guided tour of the St. Alban shrine was also offered to guests.
High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford said, “We are grateful to The Venerable Jo Kelly-Moore, Dean of St Albans Abbey, and Reverend Canon Tim Lomax Director of Mission & Ministry, Abbey Musicians and Abbey Social Justice Team for their welcome and support. It was an inspirational evening of fellowship and togetherness.”
The Diocese of St Albans is a diverse diocese. It includes a significant number of parishes where other faith communities comprise more than ten percent of the population. Broadly speaking, there are large Jewish communities in south Hertfordshire and Barnet, and large Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities along the diocesan spine of Watford, Hitchin, St Albans, Luton and Bedford.
The Bishop of Bedford Right Revd Richard Atkinson said, “As a diocese, we are committed to engaging with and partnering with members of other faith communities for pursuing the common good. Faith motivates and inspires our social action. How much more could we accomplish if we all worked together to address issues like racism, poverty, and climate change – this year’s Inter Faith Week Event focused exactly on that.”
Rabbi Jeff Berger from Herts Inter Faith Forum and also one of the event speakers, said, “It was such a wonderful evening. It was delightful to share everyone's company and to meet many people for the first time. There was an excitement and spiritual uplift in the room before, during and after the event. It was a privilege to participate and to meet so many new faces and reconnect with friends. May the good work of all our communities, be blessed and bring blessing to those around us.”
- Ends -
NOTES:
1) The Diocese of St Albans is working on inter faith issues in partnership with Luton based Grassroots Programme, which has been working with Churches and different faith communities in Luton for over 30 years.
2) Inter Faith Week is a programme of the Inter Faith Network for the UK (IFN), a charity which has been working since 1987 to promote inter faith understanding and cooperation in the UK. IFN’s programme of work, including Inter Faith Week, is supported by faith communities, the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities, trusts and other donors.
3) Inter Faith Week 2021 begins on Sunday 14 November in England, Northern Ireland and Wales. This is a special Week which highlights the contribution of faith groups to society; encourages greater inter faith understanding and cooperation and also dialogue between those of religious and non-religious beliefs. It is timed to begin each year on Remembrance Sunday to encourage remembering together of the service of those of different faiths and beliefs from the UK and the Commonwealth.
4) More information on Inter Faith Week can be found at: http://www.interfaithweek.org/
The hashtag for social media is #InterFaithWeek.
Inter Faith Week social media accounts can be found at
http://www.facebook.com/ifweek
http://www.instagram.com/IFWeek
5) A range of Inter Faith Week activities in England are being supported also through the Near Neighbours Programme of the Church Urban Fund, including through its Government supported small grants scheme.
Over 125 people from different and no religious backgrounds were welcomed at St Albans Abbey for the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022.
At the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at the St Albans Abbey, speakers from different faiths contributed their thoughts on the topical issues affecting our world today.
Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford (5th from left) warmly greeted some of the speakers and contributors from different faiths at St Albans Abbey after the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event was over on 14th Nov 2022.
Pararmjit Kaur and Jasbir Singh from Sikh faith and community at Guru Nanak Gurudwara Luton speaking at St Albans Abbey at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022.
Speakers and contributors from different faiths at St Albans Abbey during the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022.
Revd David Kesterton one of the Diocesan Inter Faith Advisors welcoming and conducting the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Reynold Rosenberg from the Jewish faith community talked about the Faith Covenant at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Radha Mohan Das of Hare Krishna Mission talked about how he felt touched by the music being the language of the heart at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Revd Tony Rindl one of the Diocesan Inter Faith Advisors welcoming and conducting the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford commending the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Invited guests from different religious backgrounds enjoying refreshments and social interactions at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Abbey Musicians welcomed guests by playing instrumental music at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
The Very Reverend Jo Kelly-Moore (Dean of St Albans Abbey) highlighted the importance of inter-faith work at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Councillor Syed Abidi, Deputy Mayor of St Albans commending the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.
Revd Luke Larner of St Paul’s Bedford, interacting with a guest from Hare Krishna Mission (Watford) at the Diocesan Inter Faith Week Event held on 14th Nov 2022 at St Albans Abbey.