One Family The Newsletter of the World Congress of Faiths October, 2005 Website: www.worldfaiths.org                     Charity Number: 244096
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 religions. While accepting 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.
WCF future events - Dates for your diary: October 19-23: Brighton Festival of World Sacred Music Co-sponsors: IARF and Unitarian Interfaith Panel. Further details: katewhyman@freezone.co.uk February 18, 2006: Fideology at the Croydon Unitarian Church. Speakers include: Marcus Braybrooke, Alan Race, Joy Barrow, Imam Abduljalil Sajid, Cal Courtney, Richard Boeke. Further details: r.boeke@virgin.nett March 5, 2006: 'Sri Ramakrishna, Swami Vivekananda and Sir Francis Younghusband: What is their message for today?' from 2.00 to 5.30 p.m. at Golders Green Unitarian Church. Speakers include Prof Hal French. May 12-14, 2006: WCF conference: Fintry House, Nr Godalming, Surrey. For up to date details of all WCF events visit: www.worldfaiths.org
Celebration of Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday On 1 October at the Unitarian Meeting Church, Birmingham, the life of Mahatma Gandhi was celebrated, with representatives from different faiths participating. The day was co-sponsored by the World Congress of Faiths and the International Association of Religious Freedom, and members of both organisations participated, together with Rev Andrew Brown, who provided musical meditations on the classical guitar. Rev Andrew Brown In the morning there were several readings, including an extract from 'The Story of My Experiment with Truth' where Gandhi reminds us that 'No God merely satisfies the intellect. God to be God must rule the heart and transform it'. In the afternoon, the Salt March was commemorated, first by a reading from 'Salt' by Kurlanski, and then by those present taking salt, thereby emulating Gandhi who led thousands of people on a peaceful march to the sea where he collected salt in violation of the law. WCF Treasurer, Vinod Kapashi inviting participants to share salt
Join in the celebrations! In 2007 the World Congress of Faiths is celebrating its 70th anniversary. We want you to join us in celebrating 70 years of the World Congress of Faiths being a leader in the field of interfaith activity. The Executive Committee is organising different events next year to mark the celebrations but we want you to join in, both by coming to the events but also by sharing with us your memories of WCF over the last 70 years. You could write a short article of 250 to 300 words, or send us any photographs you took of WCF events, especially those going back to the earlier times, we will include them in 2007 issues of One Family. Please send them to: Dr Joy Barrow, 34 Shorediche Close, Ickenham, Middlesex, UB10 8EB or send them by e-mail on word document only please to JoyBarrow@aol.com. Photographs will be returned after being computer scanned.
18 February 'Faith as Trust' As a follow-up to the successful Fideology 2004 conference, the Fideology 2005 conference will be held at Croydon Unitarian Church on February 18th Speakers include: Marcus Braybrooke, Alan Race, Joy Barrow, Imam Abduljalil Sajid, Cal Courtney, Richard Boeke. Cost: £5.00 admission. Please bring a bag lunch. Further details: Rev Anne McCelland, telephone: 020 8679 2626; e-mail: AnneMcClel@aol.com		Wanted: Treasurer Trustee for International Interfaith Centre The International Interfaith Centre in Oxford seeks someone with experience of the law relating to accounts the Honorary Treasure, and a Trustee of, the International Interfaith Centre in Oxford. It would be helpful, but not necessary, for the person to live in the Oxford area. There is a part time paid Director, supported by several voluntary members of staff.  The annual turnover is about £30,000.  For further details, contact the Director, Dr Joy Barrow, International Interfaith Centre, 2 Market Street, Oxford OX1 3EF, telephone 01865 202745.
SHAP Pictorial Calendar The SHAP Working Party, so named because its first meeting was at SHAP in the Lake District, has made a major contribution to the teaching of world faiths in schools in the UK. In 2004 the SHAP Working Party on World Religions launched a new initiative; a pictorial calendar. The 2006 Calendar is the third of the series, and has the theme of Sacred Space. It is available now and costs £6.50 a copy. For further details, contact Mike Berry, telephone 020 7898 1494 My Vision: Marcus Braybrooke I was recently asked to describe my vision for the future in about 300 words. It is I think vital that we offer the world an alternative to terrorism and the 'war against terror.' Edward Carpenter often used to quote the verse 'Where there is no vision the people perish.' It would be interesting to hear from you whether you share some of this vision. My hope and prayer is that the great faiths can together offer an alternative to the escalating violence, the widening gap between rich and poor, the despair of the drug culture and exploitation of the environment – all of which threaten the future of life on our planet. To respond to terror with a 'war against terror' only increases violence and suffering. If the victims can forgo revenge and not deny the humanity of those who have attacked them, then, as all the great spiritual teachers have said, the cycle of violence is reversed. Only forgiveness can overcome hatred and allow a new relationship to be established. The teaching and practice of non-violence will create a culture of peace. Because every person is a child of God and life is sacred, all discrimination, whether based on race, colour, religion, or sexuality is to be opposed. Women should be given equal status in every society and encouraged to make their contribution to our spiritual awareness. To recognise God in the face of the poor is to reject wasteful consumption and to work and pray for the day when all people have the basic necessities of life – the day when no one is hungry or thirsty or homeless, when all children have education and all people have adequate medical care. This requires both a simple style of life and commitment to ensuring governments and the business community adopt policies that benefit all people. Basic necessities are not enough. People need to find meaning, love and hope. Without these gifts, they seek fulfilment in drugs and selfish sexuality. The deepest human fulfilment is found in the accepting love of God, but sadly religions can be divisive, or doctrine and ritual can hide rather than point to the Divine Mystery. As we experience that Mystery, we sense our oneness with all life and, therefore, should treat the planet with reverence. We should try to be as non-violent as possible and treat other living beings with gentleness and care. At the same time we shall seek to persuade governments and the business world to protect rather than to despoil the Earth. My vision is of a world with a Heart; a world in which we live out the teachings of non-violence, love, compassion and reverence which are to be found in all the great faiths. The vision will not come true without our co-operation. It will be realised as we allow the Divine to touch us and to transform our hearts.’ In my new book A Heart for the World: the Interfaith Alternative, I highlight practical steps some people are already taking towards fulfilling this vision. The book (ISBN 1905047436) will be published in January by John Hunt Publishing – www.o-books.net – at £12.99
Publicise your local interfaith events in One Family Send details either by e-mail to JoyBarrow@aol.com or by post to 34 Shorediche Close, Ickenham, Middlesex. Deadline for the next edition: 1 December.

Other interfaith events: Alister Hardy Society: October 27: What Happens when we Die? 3.00 p.m. at Essex Unitarian Church, 112 Palace Gardens Terrace, Kensington, London W8. Speaker: Prof. Sam Parnia. November 4: A Witch Looks at Death: 7.30 p.m. at 11 A Avenue Road, Whittington Moor, Chesterfield. Presentation by Joe Revill December 3: Alister Hardy Society Open Day 10.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. at Friends Meeting House, 43 St Giles, Oxford. Speakers: Prof. Xinghong Yao and Prof John Hick. Booking and further information: Anne Watkins, Dept of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Wales, Lampeter, Geredigion, SA48 7ED; tel: 01570 424821; e-mail: a.watkins@lamp.ac.uk Brahma Kumaris: Weekly events: Fridays: 7.00-8.00 p.m.: Creative Meditation Tuesdays: 10.30 a.m. - 12.00 noon: Women's Self- Realisation Group. Monthly events: November 6, December 4: Spirituality and Men from 2.00 p.m. to 5.15 p.m. November 6, December 4: Heal the World from 6.15 p.m. to 7.30 p.m. Seminars: Sundays from 2.00 p.m. to 5.30 p.m. October 23: Spiritual Strategies for Living with Love November 13: Getting your Act Together - mastering your part in the great drama of life. November 20: Calming the Conflict - dealing with the daily challenge of conflict. December 4: Countdown to Christmas in the Kitchen All events are free of charge and take place at Global Co-operation House, 65-69 Pound lane, London, NW10 2HH; telephone: 020-8727-3350 Inform: November 26: Religious Movements and Gender from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. at the London School of Economics and Political Science, Houghton Street, London WC2A 2AE. Cost £35 before 14 November, £40.00 thereafter. Further details: e-mail: inform@lse.ac.uk or telephone: 020-7955-7654

Other interfaith events (continued) International Association of Religious Freedom: October 23: Week of Prayer for World Peace. London Fo Guang Temple, 84 Margaret Street, London W1W 8TD. Further details: ibpdlondon@hotmail.com. March 26-30, 2006: 'Dignity in Diversity', World Congress in Taiwan, Republic of China. Further details: e-mail: hq@iarf.net, telephone: 01865-202744 One World Week: 23-30 October: 'Promises, promises!' Make Poverty History. Further details or to order an activity pack: tel: 0118 9394933; e-mail: enquiries@oneoworldweek.org or see www.oneworldweek.org The Oxford Diocesan Committee for Interfaith Concerns and Ripon College Cuddesdon October 5: Paganism and Alternative Spirituality, speakers: Kate West and Professor John Drane November 9:Racial Justice and Inter-faith Dialogue, speakers: Dr Hugh Boulter and Selina Ullah December 7: Christian-Muslim Dialogue. Speakers: Dr Ataullah Siddiqui and Dr Anthony O’Mahony All seminars at Ripon College Cuddesdon from 7.45 p.m. to 9.30 p.m. Admission is by voluntary contribution; supper, price £5.00 at 6.45 p.m. but must be booked in advance at telephone 01865-874404; e-mail admin@rippon-cuddesdon.ac.uk Further details of seminars from www.oxford.anglican.org. Seminar admission is by voluntary contribution. Supper (Price £5.00) can be provided at 6.45 p.m. if booked in advance by telephone (01865 874404) or email (admin@ripon-cuddesdon.ac.uk) There will be a College Eucharist at 5.30 p.m.