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One Family The Newsletter of the World Congress of Faiths July, 2004 |
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Faith Meeting Faith: a
rich resource for life The World Congress of Faiths seeks to bridge the almost unbridgeable: to make bonds of friendship based on knowledge and understanding and to celebrate the differences between different religions. While accepting that the differences of history and belief between faith communities, we affirm and support each of the faith groups represented at our gatherings. We seek to bring together those who are firm adherents of their own faiths, and who wish to learn from others in a non-judgemental and supportive fashion. In this way, hopefully, we work towards ending the destructive enmity that so tragically dogs the relationships between so many people of faith. |
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Tony Reese: the new WCF
Administrator
Albert encouraged me to set up an inter-faith group in Bristol. A group of individuals from various backgrounds met and discussed things we could agree on, and then moved on to subjects where we disagreed but could discuss our disagreements openly. We held meetings in Bath and Bristol, and eventually the Bath group set up its own meetings. Both groups continue today. I have always been interested in communication between people of different beliefs and backgrounds. I have been involved with organising and administering Jewish communities all my life. Since moving to South Somerset in 1997, I have been working with the Exeter Jewish community, which uniquely allows all Jews to belong to a single community and holds services and events form every Jewish point of view and denomination. I have worked with computers for over 30 years, and I am fascinated by the power of new technology to communicate, and the opportunities for people of different backgrounds to meet and share ideas. Tony can be contacted at
tony@worldfaiths.org or admin@worldfaiths.org or by post at Ridge End, 18 West Coker Hill, West Coker,
Somerset, BA22 9DG. |
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WCF Pre Parliament of World Religions Conference Brahma Kumaris Global Retreat, Oxford In March the WCF hosted three days in preparation for the Parliament
of World Religions in Barcelona. The last three years have seen 9/11, the
invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq, and the continuing tensions in the Middle
East. The Parliament will attempt to
defuse 'religiously motivated violence'.
As Hans Kung has stated: 'There will be no peace in the world until
there is peace among religions'. Brian Pearce, Director of the Inter Faith Network, UK traced the development
of the Network since it started some twelve years ago. WCF President Marcus Braybrooke provided a
survey of world movements in Interfaith since the 1893 Chicago Parliament of
World Religions. One hundred years
later there were observances of the anniversary of the Chicago Parliament in
three different parts of the world: Bangalore, India; in Ise, Japan; and in
Chicago, USA. Those present found that
we have move beyond ignorance and prejudice, and that no one religion has a
monopoly on goodness or salvation. Marcus Braybrooke stated: 'We shall only have the strength to
challenge the destructive and life-threatening forces at work in our world,
if we are deeply rooted in the spirit. Only as we sense in our innermost
being our oneness with all life, will we be renewed in our service of each
other and of our world'. |
During the WCF Pre Parliament of World Religions Conference in
Oxford, inspired by an early morning walk to the boathouse beside the River
Thames, Richard Boeke wrote the following poem.
Pink Clouds mirrored in
the water. Four swans a-swimming. A choir of blackbirds and
robins. The baritone of a barking
dog. Frost on golden daffodil. Flora’s temple on the
hill. A distant “folly,” an
ancient church. Note the oak, cypress,
redwood, birch. Last night, over the
river, A Crescent Moon and Venus. Now, stillness mirrored in
the water, Moss on stone beside the
boathouse. A time to stop and be
still. Release the demons of work
and will. Then, like duck, goose or
swan, Plunge in the stream of
life. |
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Imam Abduljalil
Sajid: WCF International Secretary Imam Abjuljalil Sajid writes: During 2003/4 I attended as part of my contribution to the work of WCF three conferences: First, an International Interfaith Network Organisations meeting held in Oxford in September 2003. This meeting was attended by fourteen international interfaith organisations. Secondly, I attended a seminar organised by the Soul of Europe in Bruxelles on 8 December, 2003 which was attended by twentieth European Interfaith organisations and some EU officials Thirdly, I was involved in the Spiritual
Forum for World Peace at The United Nations level, the final meeting of which
took place in Geneva in May 2004. |
William Dalrymple with Alan Race, the
executive editor of the WCF journal Interreligious
Encounter. Interreligious
Encounter is one of the foremost international journals on interfaith
encounter. With WCF membership and four editions of Interreligious Encounter costing only
£30 per year, this is the best bargain you can get. |
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WCF 2004 Annual General
Meeting WCF President Marcus Braybrooke stated that WCF was still the leader in the interfaith area. It remains a pioneering body, with much work still to do. At the World Parliament of Religions in Barcelona there will be workshops on 'Countering Religious Violence', 'Debt Relief', 'Refugees' and the 'Provision of Clean Water for All'. WCF was organising a panel at the Parliament. Marcus particularly thanked Dianna Hamner for her work as the WCF secretary, and her husband Hugh for sharing her with us, and for helping with the work. Dianna has combined a deep faith, a charming and sympathetic way with people and great efficiency. WCF has been blessed by her contribution and expressed our abiding gratitude. WCF chair Jackie Tabick
introduced Tony Reese as the new WCF Administrator. She also expressed
appreciation for the dedication and loyalty of Dianna, and that of Jean
Potter and Eva Tucker, both long serving members of the Executive Committee
who have decided that the time has come to retire. She also outlined some of the plans for the
next twelve months, including an Art and Spirituality workshop and another
Moral Maze, together with day and residential conferences. Alan Race, the executive
editor of Interreligious Insight noted the very
positive remarks received about the Journal
Since its launch over a
year ago. Events have taken place, both in the UK and overseas, to launch
this superb journal. Don't forget that
for only £30.00 per year you can have four editions of Interreligious Insight, for editions of One Family and membership of the
WCF. To do so, or if you are uncertain
if you are 'paid up' with your subscription, contact Tony Reese at tony@worldfaiths.org
or admin@worldfaiths.org. Joy Barrow thanked those
writing articles for One Family and emphasised the importance of the articles
and photographs she received, encouraging members to send them. Election of Officers: Patrons: His Holiness
the Dalai Lama; Archbishop Desmond Tutu President: Rev. Marcus
Braybrooke Vice
Presidents: Dr. Zaki Badawi, the Ven. Sumedo Bhikku. Mrs. A. Bancroft, Lady
Carpenter, Dr. Owen Cole, Mrs. Ivy Gutridge, Miss Vera Harley, Prof.
John Hick, Mr. D. Hoffman, Dadi Janki, Prof. Ursula King, Judge King- Hamilton, Mr.
Barney Leith, Prof. Seyyed Hossein Nasr, Prof. E.G. Parrinder, Dr.
D. Patterson, Prof. Harminder Singh, Dr. Singhvi, Dr. Norman
Solomon, Sir Sigmund Sternberg, Ven. S. Thittila Chairman: Rabbi Jackie
Tabick Vice-Chairman: Rev. Alan
Race Hon. Secretary: Rev. Richard
Boeke Hon. Treasurer: Rev. Kevin
Tingay Minutes
Secretary: Andy Burns Hon. Editor: Rev. Alan Race Committee Members: Until 2006: Fergus Capie, Gwen Griffith-Dickson, David Hart,
Megumi Hirota, Brian Pearce, Om Prakash Sharma, Brian Walker Until 2005: Joy Barrow, Swami Dayatmananda, Anuradhi devi
dasi, Michael Ipgrave, Carmel Momen, Peggy Morgan (without vote), Feargus
O'Conner, Abduljalil Sajid, David Storey Re-elected at the 2004 A.G.M: Shahin Bekhradnia, Andrew Burns, Owen Cole,
Sister Jayanti/Sister Maureen, Vinod Kapashi, Kanwar Ranvir Singh, Valerie
Norris. It was agreed that an advisory body
will be established from those elected to the executive who find it difficult
to attend executive committee meetings and would prefer to sit on an advisory
body. |
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World Congress of
Faiths: Post Parliament of World Religions Conference
Fintry House, Fintry, Near Godalming, Surrey
Are you interested in 'Countering
Religious Violence', 'Debt Relief', 'Refugees' and the 'Provision of Clean
Water for All'? These are topics that
will be discussed at the Parliament of World Religions in Barcelona?
Are you not able to attend the Parliament of World Religions, but
interested in these topics and want to know the role of religions in these
areas?
Come to Fintry, and find
out about the discussions that took place in Barcelona
And share with others at
Fintry your opinions.
Programme:
Thursday 22 July:
2.00 p.m. to 4.00 p.m. Free time for relaxing in the garden and
meeting others.
4.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Arrival and tea.
5.00 p.m. Meditation led by The Rev'd Kevin Tingay
5.30 p.m. Brief Welcome and Social Time - Rabbi Jackie Tabick
6.00 p.m. Supper
7.30 p.m. Huston and Kendra Smith from the USA: Our experience of the World's Religions.
9.30 p.m. Closing meditation - Rev'd Marcus Braybrooke
Friday 23 July:
8.00 a.m. Morning meditation - Dr Joy Barrow, followed by breakfast.
9.30 a.m. to 12.00 noon. Report
on the Parliament of World Religions: Four tasks for people of faith:
'Countering Religious Violence', 'Debt Relief', 'Refugees' and the 'Provision
of Clean Water for All',
Led by Marcus Braybrooke, Richard Boeke, Imam Abduljalil Sajid and others.
12.00 noon to 3.00 p.m. Lunch and an opportunity to relax in the
gardens. There is also an outdoor
swimming pool for the adventurous.
3.00 p.m. to 5.00 p.m. Conversation - Dr Joy Barrow and Rev'd Kevin Tingay
5.00 p.m. Meditation - Ailenn Nieland, Catherine Wallace and Jane Bellinger
, followed by social time.
6.00 p.m. Supper
7.30 p.m.
Evening Recreation led by Rabbi Jackie Tabick
"Delicate Balance - 14th Century Toledo as a Model for Inter Faith Tolerance"
9.30 p.m. Closing meditation.
Saturday 24 July:
8.00 a.m. Morning meditation, followed by breakfast.
9.00 a.m. Packing and clearing rooms.
9.30 a.m. Closing
circle
9.45 a.m. Travel to Weybridge Synagogue for morning Shabbat
service, followed by lunch.
If you would like to join other members of WCF at
Fintry to discuss the important issues of 'Countering Religious Violence', 'Debt Relief',
'Refugees' and the 'Provision of Clean Water for All', contact WCF
administrator Tony Reese at
tony@worldfaiths.org or admin@worldfaiths.org or by post at Ridge End, 18 West
Coker Hill, West Coker, Somerset, BA22 9DG.
The cost:
full board is only £90.
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Niwano
Peace Prize to Acholi Leaders of Uganda
Founder Nikkyo Niwano was dedicated to the
cause of peace and interfaith understanding. He served as President of the
IARF, and with his friend Dana Greeley was co-founder of the World Conference
of Religions for Peace. |
William Dalrymple, who gave the 2004 Younghusband
lecture after the WCF Annual General Meeting. |
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Local Interfaith Courses
and Conferences: Alister Hardy Society: July 13-16: The God Experience.who has it and why? At High Leigh Conference Centre, Hoddesdon, Herts. Further details:
ahardytrust@lamp.ac.uk or telephone 01570-424821 July 27: Brother Martin from the Bede Griffiths Ashram;
7.00 p.m. at the Seminar Room, Dept of Theology and RS, University of Wales,
Lampeter. September 15: 'The Proximity of Matter and Spirit in a View of
Islam', a talk by Prof M.A. Kazi Badawi; 3.00 p.m. at Essex Unitarian Church,
Kensington, London. October 2: 'Pursuing a Vision; speakers include Prof Ursula
King: 10.00 a.m. at St John's Church, Waterloo Rd, London. October 29-31: 'Spirituality and the Creative Arts' at University
of Wales, Lampeter. Further details of Alister Hardy Group events from Anne V Watkins,
Alister Hardy Trust, Dept of Theology and RS, University of Wales, Lampeter,
Ceredigion, SA48 7ED or e-mail: a.watkins@lamp.ac.uk Horsham Interfaith Group: July 31: 'Overcoming violence, especially when it is
religiously motivated'; 1.00 p.m. at Horsham United Reformed Church. September 25: Meeting with Sister Eileen Wheeler; 1.00 p.m. at
The Barn, behind the Anglican Church on the Causeway. |
October 30: 'Self Healing and Meditation' led by Carol
Chambers; 1.00 p.m. at the Unitarian Hall. Further details: Richard Boeke at r.boeke@virgin.net or telephone
01403-257801. London Inter Faith Centre: August 16: Christians and Muslims: conflict and Clash or
Co-Operative Co-Existence? 7.30 p.m.
at the London Inter Faith Centre, 125 Salusbury Rd, London NW6 6RG. Speakers include Professor Badawi and Rev
Canon Christopher Lamb Dr Anthony O'Mahony, Dr Abdullah Hakim Quick. September 3-4: Unveiling
Truth. Psychology of Vision:
Relationship, Leadership, Spirituality' with Julie Wookey and Jeremy Gale;
10.00 a.m. to 6.00 p.m. September 12: An Inter Faith Book at Bedtime..for Grown Ups;
from 6.30 p.m. Further details of all
Centre events from info@londoninterfaith.org.uk or telephone 0207-6043053 Three Faiths Forum: August 15-22: Creation and Ecology: a Jewish/Christian/Muslim
celebration at Ammerdown Centre, Ammerdown, near Bath. Further details: Telephone: 01761-433709 or e-mail:
Centre@ammerdown.org Deadline for inclusion of your event in the next edition of One Family: 1 September. Send details to Joy Barrow, 34 Shordiche
Close, Ickenham, Middx, UB10 8EB or JoyBarrow@aol.com |
