March 2016 - Surrey Faith Links

March 2016
"The more we come out and do good to others, the more our hearts will be
purified, and God will be in them."
(Swami Vivekananda, Hindu Quote)
Thank you for all your contributions for this months newsletter; plenty of
upcoming events. Please feel free to advertise your events via this newsletter.
Kauser Akhtar (Faith Links Adviser)
E: [email protected]
REFUGEES: FAITH PERSPECTIVES
Guildford & Godalming Interfaith Forum hosted a very well-attended event for
International Interfaith Harmony Week in February at the United Reformed
Church in Guildford. A panel of local people shared their faith perspectives and
personal experiences.
Mrs. Irene Black spoke about her parents'
journey from Berlin, bringing 100 Jewish
boys from her Father's school to safety just
a few days before War was declared, and
their subsequent lives in Britain.
Mrs. Dianne Peters who is the Refugee
Support Adviser from the Diocese of Guildford spoke of the things being put in
place to receive refugee families locally and her own visits as a committed
Christian to the camps in Calais and Dunkirk.
Dr. Husni Hammuda, the Muslim Chaplain at Surrey University, spoke about his
own family's exile from Palestine and shared a very moving poem written by his
late father, depicting his unrequited yearning to return to farm his land and
experience the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of his young life.
Next Mrs. Sat Lutra recalled how she arrived in England with just one suitcase
and £50 after Idi Amin expelled all the Uganda Asians in 1972 and shared how the
beliefs of the Sikh faith in which she was raised shaped her life in England and the
need to always put back into the community.
Inside this issue:
Visit My Mosque
2
Patron’s Lunch for Queens Birthday
3
Faith at the End of Life
3
Spiritual Ecology Fellowship
3
EU Spirit Project
4
LGBT History Month
4
Latest Stories from 3FF
4
Coexistence or Shared Society?
5
Educate Against Hate
5
Get your Charity’s Message in the
Media
5
Funding Opportunities
6
Upcoming Events
7
Main Faith Festivals in
March 2016
1-20th —19 Day Fast (Baha’i)
7th—Shivaratri (Hindu)
14th—Nanakshahi New Year
(Sikh)
20th—Palm Sunday (Christian)
21st—Naw Ruz (Baha’i)
22nd & 23rd—Holi (Hindu)
24th—Hola Mohalla (Sikh)
24th—Purim (Jewish)
25th—Good Friday (Christian)
27th—Easter Day (Christian)
28th—Khordad Sal (Zoroastrian)
30th—Nahavir Jayanti (Jain)
www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk
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SURREY FAITH LINKS
Finally Mandisa Nakana-Taylor, from South Africa, referred to the prayer vigil that Bahá'ís around the world
are currently engaged in to protect those in Iran who are imprisoned for their beliefs, before going on to
explain that when confronted with all the terrible suffering around the
world she refers to her scriptures to try and fathom God's plan and
how we can work together as communities to bring about the
unification of the human race, ending with a Baha'i prayer "...Unite the
hearts of Thy servants, and reveal to them Thy great purpose..."
The event concluded with a Questions & Answers session, ably chaired
by Tony Oakden, with each speaker able to add to their presentation,
and observations from the floor. This was not a political meeting,
however we were reminded that we need to encourage our
Councillors and Politicians to move ahead with some urgency to care
for the innocent victims of the horrors of war and terror. Also that 'every conversation should be meaningful'
and that we must each strive to combat prejudice, ignorance and fear when we encounter it.
Visit My Mosque
On 7 February 2016, over 80 British mosques around the country participated in the second annual ‘Visit My
Mosque’ Day. Mosques across the UK shared tea and refreshments alongside an insight into the day-to-day
goings on of a busy Muslim centre of worship.
#VisitMyMosque Day aims to provide a platform for Muslims to reach out to fellow Britons and explain their
faith and community beyond the hostile headlines.
In Surrey, the Shah Jahan Mosque in Woking and the Al Kharafi Mosque in Camberley opened their doors for
visitors. Tours were organised around the mosques along with exhibitions and refreshments with an open Q &
A Session. The day was a great success with an overwhelming hundreds of people turning up and really
learning and understanding Islam and its reality.
Many Mosques in Surrey are open and welcome visitors throughout the year.
Photos from Shah Jahan Mosque:
Photos from Al Karafi Mosque:
www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk
MARCH 2016
PAGE 3
Patron’s Lunch to mark HM The Queen ’s 90th Birthday
This year marks the 90th Birthday of Her Majesty The Queen. A number of official celebrations will be taking
place to mark the occasion and information on these can be found at
http://www.royal.gov.uk/LatestNewsandDiary/Pressreleases/2015/EventstomarkTheQueens90thbirthday.aspx.
As for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012, Beacons are being lit across the UK and the Queen will be lighting
the Principal Beacon on 21 April. Many faith communities were involved in the beacon ceremonies in 2012 and
information on how communities can take part this year can be found in the guide at
https://www.cla.org.uk/sites/default/files/Queen%E2%80%99s%2090th%20birthday%20beacons.pdf.
One of the main celebration events will be the Patron’s Lunch, taking place on 12 June. This is a ticketed event
in The Mall in London for people from the over 600 charities across the Commonwealth of which the Queen is
Patron. In addition to the event in the Mall the organisers hope that street parties and lunches will take place
across the UK to celebrate Her Majesty’s birthday and to raise money for local initiatives. They say that they
hope it will “re-ignite the famous British ‘community spirit’ and have villages, towns and cities all over the UK
and across the Commonwealth to hold their own street parties. It is hoped these local ‘Patron’s Lunches’ will
help raise money for their own communities and local initiatives. In addition to the fundraising generated at a
local level, the event will also serve as a unique platform for the charitable organisations to which The Queen
acts as Patron, to maximize their own fundraising efforts.”
Further information can be found at http://www.thepatronslunch.com/how-to-get-involved/.
The Big Lunch in which many faith communities and inter faith organisations have taken part since it began is
also being held on 12 June and it is anticipated that many will be using this as a birthday celebration –
www.thebiglunch.com
Faith at the End of Life
In January Public Health England (PHE) published a resource entitled ‘Faith at end of life’. PHE describes it as a
resource which aims to help frontline professionals, providers working in community settings and commissioners maintain a holistic approach to people dying, caring or bereaved. It provides information “to help ensure
that commissioning and delivery of services and practice takes account of spiritual needs of the largest 6 faith
groups in England and remains appropriate to the community setting in which they work.” The resource can be
downloaded from
https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/496231/Faith_at_end_of_life
_-_a_resource.pdf.
Spiritual Ecology Fellowship
The St Ethelburga’s Centre for Reconciliation and Peace has launched a Spiritual Ecology Fellowship which will
offer a nine month experience of study, reflection and practical project development integrating the principles
of Spiritual Ecology. It is seeking ten ‘emerging leaders’ between the ages of 22 and 30, who have the potential
to be future catalysts for change. They are looking for participants from a diverse range of backgrounds to apply, and the fellowship is open to individuals living in the UK and Europe. The fellowship follows a nine month
programme. The selected participants will receive full scholarships for programme tuition, accommodation for
the retreats, and a stipend for travel and food expenses. For further information, including how to apply, visit
https://www.stethelburgas.org/spiritual-ecology-youth-fellowship.
The closing date for applications is 30 April.
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SURREY FAITH LINKS
EU Spirit project
The EU Spirit project engages faith based organisations to promote energy efficient behaviour and energy
saving activities in homes, supporting members of these organisations to become Energy Champions who share
energy advice with their friends, families and local communities. Through this, the project aims to achieve
measurable energy savings, CO2 emissions reduction and lasting behaviour change.
The project is co-funded by the European Union’s Intelligent Energy Europe programme, and is being delivered
by a partnership of 8 organisations in 8 EU member states – coordinated by Groundwork London.
Further information can be found at www.spirit-project.eu. The project is still looking for more faith
communities to work with. Anyone interested, should contact Boglarka Meixner at
[email protected] or on 0300 365 9900.
LGBT History Month
LGBT History Month has been taking place throughout February in the UK. A number of organisations held
events to mark the week. For example, 3FF (http://www.3ff.org.uk/) held its first LGBT-themed ‘Encountering
People and Beliefs’ workshop to engage diverse groups in discussing personal experiences of faith in relation to
gender identity and sexuality.
An inter faith Shabbat celebration is due to be held on 26 February
(http://camdenlgbtforum.org.uk/2016/02/24/twilight-people-and-the-jewish-gay-and-lesbian-group-lgbtqinterfaith-service/) at the Islington Museum in London.
Some of the top stories this month from Three Faiths Forum:
 Why French Jewish people are moving to London
 President Obama's visit to a mosque: long overdue -- and vital
 China commands that even retired officials shun religion
 Number of anti-Semitic incidents in Britain falls
 Anti-Islam movement PEGIDA stages protests across Europe
 Why a meeting between the pope and Russian patriarch is finally happening
 Lent: Muslims stand in solidarity with Christians by tweeting what they will give up until Easter
 Sanders is first Jewish American to win a presidential primary
 In the beginning... was atheism
 Buddhists Stage Massive Lighting Ceremony At Thai Temple
www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk
MARCH 2016
PAGE 5
Coexistence or shared society? Reflections on a visit to
Jerusalem
Diverse faiths, beliefs and cultures are in close proximity to each other in
Jerusalem. After a recent visit, 3FF Director Phil Champain reflects on how to
move from coexistence towards a shared society.
http://www.3ff.org.uk/blog/coexistence-or-shared-society-reflections-on-avisit-to-jerusalem
Educate Against Hate
The Rt Hon Nicky Morgan MP, Education Secretary, launched a new website called Educate Against Hate on
19 January. It contains information for schools and parents on tackling extremism as part of a drive to protect
children from the “spell of twisted ideologies”.
The website includes information for parents, teachers and school leaders and can be found at
http://www.educateagainsthate.com/.
This was part of a number of announcements made on that day:
https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/nicky-morgan-speaks-about-tackling-extremism.
‘Get Your Charity's Message in the Media ’
Eagle Radio are running FREE ‘Get Your Charity's message in the Media’ workshops for local Charities &
Community groups. Sponsored by your local Borough Council, and delivered by the Media professional team
at Eagle Radio, this two-hour seminar is open to professional marketers and volunteers (maximum of 2 places
per group).
This is an interactive workshop so please bring along an idea for a news release or details of a forthcoming
event or promotion you are planning for. During the session, you will get to see examples of good and not-so
good press releases, learn tips for using social media including Facebook and Twitter. We will also help you to
understand what journalists want from you including an expert`s view on how to improve the chances of
getting your story published. Each delegate will receive a resource pack to take away and also have the
opportunity to meet and network with industry colleagues. The dates are as follows:
Tuesday 29th March - HG Wells Conference centre, Woking, Surrey GU21 6HG from 9.30am - 11.30am
Wednesday 30th March - Camberley Theatre, Knoll Road Camberley, Surrey GU15 3SY from 9.30am 11.30am
Monday 13th June – Holiday Inn, Egerton Road, Guildford, Surrey GU2 7XZ from 9.30am - 11.30am
Each course lasts 2 hours with light refreshments provided. No parking is provided – please contact venue for
parking and accessibility. If you would like to attend one of the dates, please apply via Kimberley:
[email protected].
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SURREY FAITH LINKS
FUNDING OPPORTUNITIES
Together Grants Programme
The Church Urban Fund are offering grants of up to £5,000 to churches and community groups that are
working to tackle poverty in deprived areas of England, particularly the underlying causes.
For more information please visit: http://cuf.org.uk/how-we-help/cuf-funding/together-grants/
Heritage Lottery Fund grants to commemorate First World War
The Heritage Lottery Fund has made an additional £4million of funding available so that more communities can
get involved in projects marking the Centenary of the First World War. Projects applying for funding must be
able to meet one of a number of successful outcomes based on heritage, people and communities. Grants can
be given between £3,000 and £10,000. There is no current deadline for applications.
Further information can be found at https://www.hlf.org.uk/looking-funding/our-grant-programmes/firstworld-war-then-and-now.
Funding Central website
Funding Central - http://www.fundingcentral.org.uk/default.aspx - is a free website for charities, voluntary
organisations and social enterprises 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.
Funding Central is managed by the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, in partnership with Idox
Information Solutions Ltd, and funded by the Government’s Office for Civil Society.
Comic Relief Stronger Communities grants
Comic Relief’s grants programme now has five themes, one of which is ‘Stronger Communities’. Grants for the
Stronger Communities theme are managed by Local Community Foundations and range in size from £1,000 to
£10,000 per year.
Priority is given to small, locally-based groups or organisations in areas of disadvantage that have a clear
understanding of the needs of their community and are undertaking actions as a means of addressing these
needs. Anyone wishing to apply for a Local Communities grant should contact their local community
foundation. Further details can be found online at
http://ukcommunityfoundations.org/programmes/comic_relief/.
www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk
MARCH 2016
PAGE 7
UPCOMING EVENTS
Are you a community or faith group, charity or not for profit organisation or user
group? Are the health and social care needs of your members or service users
being met? What issues concern your members or service users and how can
Healthwatch Surrey make sure these are heard?
AMPLIFY your voice by joining the VOICE NETWORK. Surrey Community Action is
co-ordinating a series of listening events around the county in partnership with
Healthwatch Surrey
Godalming: 2 June 10:00am-12:00pm
The Wilfrid Noyce Community Centre, High Street, Godalming, GU7 1DY
Dorking – Annual Meeting: 7 July 10:00am-12:00pm
The Dorking Halls, Reigate Road, Dorking, Surrey, RH4 1SJ
Staines: 1 September 2.00-4.00pm
The Hythe Community Centre, Thorpe Road, Staines, TW18 3HD
Epsom: 1 December 2016
For more information contact Kelly Young on 01483 566072, email [email protected] or SMS text
07470955866
Woking People of Faith
Programme for 2016
 30th April Doing God Together, Parkview Centre, Sheerwater, High Profile discussion about fasting
 A ‘Conversation with’, May date TBC
 21st May, WPoF 6 a-side Football Tournament
 WPoF Ladies Coffee Morning, May date TBC
 A ‘conversation with’, July date TBC
 21st August, WPoF 6-a-side Football Tournament
 24th September WPoF Annual International Day of Peace event.
 October date TBC, Doing God Together
 15-22 November National Interfaith Week of mixed WPoF of events
 December date TBC, A ‘conversation with’
For more information please contact Garry Shore:
E: [email protected]
W: www.wpof.org.uk
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SURREY FAITH LINKS
“Hypatia of Alexandria parallels to Islamic State? ”
Sunday March 20th 7 for 7.30pm
Daniel Hall, Long Garden Walk, Farnham, GU9 7HX
What triggered the near obliteration of 2,000 years of cultural and scientific progress, and
took a thousand years for the Western World to recover?
It is Alexandria 415 AD…
The rivals are Bishop Cyril and Roman Governor Orestes…
The last great Classical scholar caught between them was a woman
named Hypatia, a Pagan who refused to betray her faith …
Talk by David Brittain about the first significant woman mathematician, astronomer and
philosopher, who was killed by a fanatical Christian sect 1500 years ago.
Everyone is welcome!! Do come along and join in
Tea & coffee included. Other drinks available from the Hop Blossom Pub close by. Donation £2 to help costs.
Hosted by
farnhamHUMANISTS
Enquiries: 01252 723044 www.farnham.humanist.org.uk
Save the dates ... Message from Age Concern Epsom and Ewell
A little taster of some of the fabulous events we have planned for the next few months on our fundraising
calendar. Get in touch for full details and look out for individual mailings for each event...
w/c 7th March: Will Writing Week
Sunday 20th March: Get Muddy for ACEE (sponsored muddy obstacle race)
Saturday 16th April: Surrey Brass entertain you in the stunning surroundings of the main hall in Epsom College
April: Skydive for ACEE (will you dare?)
Saturday 30th April: Mayor’s Ball @ The Grandstand
Friday 27th May: Variety Show @ The Playhouse
Sunday 3rd July: Big Red Bus trip to London with picnic
Date TBC: Golf Day
For more information please contact: Beverley Worsley, Fundraising for Age Concern Epsom & Ewell
T: 01372 732451
Improve wellbeing with the Mary Frances Trust
A new Dance & Exercise class is running at the Ebbisham Centre, KT19 8AG every Wednesday, 10.15am11,00am. Sessions are open to participants aged 18 and over and cater for any level of fitness or ability.
To book your place please contact the Mary Frances Trust; [email protected] or 01372 375400.
The Mary Frances Trust provides information and services for people experiencing mental health difficulties,
including the people who care for them.
www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk
www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk
MARCH 2016
PAGE 9
Woking Debates 2016
Christ Church (Gallery), Woking, GU21 6YG
11.00 am—12.30 pm
12 March: The world in 2030: how can we provide sufficient water and adequate sanitation for everyone?
David Charters from WaterAid, will open the discussion.
As usual, there will be ample opportunity for local residents to share their views on this important topic.
9 April: Is Woking an integrated community? Lucy Bushell-Matthews and Dan Eley (Surrey Coalition of Disabled
People)
18 June: Refugees: Who is responsible? Maurice Wren, Refugee Council UK and Nadia Potts from Red Cross
and other speakers to be finalised.
The Woking Debates are organised by: Woking Action for Peace, Churches Together in Woking, Friends of the
Earth, Woking LA21, Woking Quakers, Surrey Faith Links, Transition Towns and Woking People of Faith.
Free Entrance; donations welcome.
For more information please contact Keith Scott, T: 01483 824980, E: [email protected]
W: www.wokingdebates.com
Woking Debates 2016
Difficult Texts
Some New Testament texts are ‘difficult’ because they have lent themselves to anti-Semitic feeling. Are there
ways to understand these texts differently, or must we simply admit that they present a problem that is not
easily solved?
Dr Steve Innes, Scholar-in-Residence at the Council of Christians and Jews, investigates.
Monday 4th April 2016, 8pm.
St Peter’s Church Hall, Laleham Road, Staines TW18 2DX
For more information: T: 01252 622978, E: [email protected]
No entry charge. We invite donations towards CCJ’s work
www.ccj.org.uk/staines
The Council of Christians and Jews is a registered charity, 238005
Stroke Awareness Drop in Sessions
The Stroke Association are hosting Stroke Awareness and Drop in sessions at the Staines Hub between 1-3pm.
The next sessions will be held on Wednesday 6th April 2016 and Wednesday 8th June 2016. If you have any
questions regarding stroke or would like information and support following a stroke feel free attend a session.
For further details please contact:
Carolyn Cheetham, Stroke Support Worker (Runnymede/Spelthorne) 07515 596968
Group discussions:
“Who are you? What is life about? What is spirituality? ”
Sunday April 17th 7 for 7.30pm
Daniel Hall, Long Garden Walk, Farnham, GU9 7HX
Humanist Celebrant Ailsa Davies will be facilitating small group discussions on such
questions as
- “How do you see your identity?”
- “What does spirituality mean to you?”
- “What is a good life?”….
Tea, coffee, biscuits. Other drinks from Hop Blossom Pub close by. Donation £2 to help
cover costs.
Everyone is welcome!!
Do come along and join in the discussion whatever your beliefs
Hosted by
farnhamHUMANISTS
Enquiries: 01252 723044 www.farnham.humanist.org.uk
SPECIAL WEEKS/DAYS
Sadaqa Day will take place on Sunday 20 March http://mysadaqaday.org
Islam Awareness Week will take place from 23 to 29 May www.iaw.org.uk
The Big Lunch will take place on 12 June www.thebiglunch.com
Srebrenica Memorial Day will take place on 11 July www.srebrenica.org.uk
Peace One Day takes place on 21 September www.peaceoneday.org
Sewa Day will take place on 16 October www.sewaday.org
One World Week will take place from Sunday 23 to Sunday 30 October www.oneworldweek.org
National Inter Faith Week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland will be an ‘8 day week’ this year taking place
from Sunday 13 to Sunday 20 November. www.interfaithweek.org
Mitzvah Day will take place on Sunday 27 November www.mitzvahday.org.uk
Surrey Faith Links c/o CET, Diocese of Guildford
Diocesan House, Quarry Street, Guildford, GU1 3XG
T: 01483 790334, E: [email protected]
Designed & Edited by:
Kauser Akhtar