Inter Faith

In the UK today, we live in the conscious presence of religious diversity. Many congregations and members are located just a stone throw away from mosques, gurdwaras, Hindu temples, synagogues and viharas.

In their local communities, some members of our churches will be in daily contact with colleagues and neighbours of different faiths, and many have friendships across faith traditions.

Within its mission department is the URC’s ecumenical and inter faith relations team. Building positive relationships with people from all the faiths is an important part of our mission together.

Within the URC this area of work is facilitated by the inter faith enabling group which works in close co-operation with ecumanical colleagues. The group helps to support the secretary for ecumenical and interfaith relations.

In a recent review of its activities, the group listed the following priorities to its work:

Inter faith understanding is vital to the life of our churches. We all need the confidence to share our stories within a multi-faith society.

There is a need to strengthen and resource the network of local interfaith advocates/enthusiasts, linking in with ecumenical partners. The group is looking at how we might map a combined ecumenical network of inter faith advocates and ‘enthusiasts’. If you are involved in interfaith activity and would like to register on our database, please contact URC Interfaith.

Members of the URC’s Interfaith Enabling Group are: the Revd Tracey Lewis (chair); Graham Adams; the Revd Philip Brooks; Mark Godin; Andy Lie; the Revd Dr John Parry; the Revd Kevin Snyman; the Revd Martin Spain and Victoria Turner.

Inter Faith week will usually begin on Remembrance Sunday, and run until the following Sunday. The additional Sunday is intended to provide the opportunity for other weekend events to take place as well as those linked to Remembrance Sunday. It is a programme of the Inter Faith Network, of which the URC is a member. The aims of this specially designated week are to:

• strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels in our increasingly diverse society;
• encourage local faith groups and communities to reach out to each other and build stronger bonds of understanding and cooperation;
• increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, with a particular focus on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society;
• increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs and;
• encourage the development of new partnerships within local communities and by faith communities with statutory and third sector partners.

Information about the week can be found at interfaithweek.org (for England and Wales) and interfaithscotland.org (for Scotland).

The Interfaith Fund (originally known as the ‘Jewish Fund’) was established to support Jewish/Christian relations in the East End of London. Many URC ministers and members have benefitted from the fund to support visits to Israel/Palestine. During 2016, work was done by the URC Trust and with the Charity Commissioners to bring the fund up to date, recognising that the interfaith environment is now very different. As a result, the remit of the fund was expanded, with the following aim: “The promotion of contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, in ways consonant with the beliefs and practices of the United Reformed Church”.

Applications

Groups and individuals who may apply to the fund are:

• Individual churches seeking to promote contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities in their own local community
• Ministers of Word and Sacraments, Church Related Community Workers, and others in leadership of local URC churches who are seeking support for personal study and reflection that will facilitate the promotion of contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, particularly in their local area.
• Organisations that have links to United Reformed Churches working in their local communities to promote contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, in ways consonant with the beliefs and practices of the United Reformed Church.
• National organisations where the United Reformed Church has representation and which are seeking to promote contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, in ways consonant with the beliefs and practices of the United Reformed Church.
• Exceptionally, consideration will be given to applications received from global or regional Christian organisations on which the United Reformed Church has representation.

Please email Carole Sired for an application form.

In an increasingly diverse society, local churches are often approached by other faith communities seeking premises where they can hold worship or events. The URC last issued guidance about how a local church might host another faith community back in 1974.

It seemed very appropriate therefore to provide more up to date advice. Working with Baptist interfaith colleagues, the URC has produced a brand new booklet for local churches entitled, ‘The use of church buildings by people of other faith communities’. The document gives helpful pointers to assist churches as they discern whether such hospitality would work in their particular context.

Download the booklet

• The use of church buildings by people of other faith communities (PDF | 6mb)

Israel and Palestine

Reports, reflections, exbibitions and events focussing on the region

Holocaust Memorial Day

Reflections and prayers to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Resources

For inter faith resources, websites and further reading suggestions