Transcript Interfaith events

Inclusive approach
to global issues
Faith, values and community
• One World Week asks people to draw upon
their own values
• To take action on a global issue we must
start at a local level
• Community spirit that
crosses boundaries
• Interfaith events are already
happening up and down the country
Aim of the session
• Why is interfaith work important and
necessary?
• What do we mean when we talk about
interfaith?
• What can be realistically achieved through
holding an interfaith event?
Why is an inclusive approach
important?
• Opportunity to meet new people
• Opportunity to learn about the experiences of
others
• Opportunity to show a unified approach to
world issues
So what is an interfaith event?
• It is not about pretending we all hold the
same beliefs, because we do not.
• It is not about watering down one’s faith.
• It is not about converting someone to one’s
own viewpoint.
A space where everyone feels...
• Welcome
• Included
• Comfortable to be themselves
• These are the foundation blocks of any good
interfaith event
Being a neighbour
• People have to feel that the event is ‘for them’
• To be authentically interfaith, representatives
of all faiths embraced should be involved in
the planning and organising where possible.
• A spirit of neighbourliness – an act of unity.
Global issues – shared values
In order to strive towards alleviating hunger,
slowing down climate change, campaigning
for fair trade and creating peaceful societies...
....we
must work together
Global issues – shared values
• The responses from major world faiths to the
aforementioned global issues are incredibly
similar
• This gives a good, solid base for holding an
event which can draw upon shared values
Interfaith? Single faith? No faith?
• An interfaith event does not necessarily have
to replace existing single faith or secular events
• Interfaith social events alongside annual
worship service
• Interfaith worship events are difficult to
hold
Previous events
• Interfaith events do not have to centre around faith
• Bring and share lunches
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Talks with an expert speaker from a faith community on a global issue
Discussion forums led by members of the local community
Topical films or documentaries with discussion
Interfaith prayer and reflection sessions
Family fun days
Children’s workshops
Storytelling
Music and performance from a range of cultural traditions
Interfaith walks
Fair Trade coffee mornings
Practical advise – OWW website
• See the following pages:
 ‘interfaith guidelines’
 ‘working together’
 ‘Building Bridges Together to Address
Shared Global Concerns’
 ‘Involving new people and forming a local
OWW group’
‘Ten Top Tips’ (general events planning
advice)
•
In groups of 3 - 4 , discuss how you would advise each of the people
who gave the following responses – advising them on how to move
forward in interfaith planning given their individual circumstances.
‘Minehead has no non-Christian places of worship or faith groups that are
identifiable’
‘no plans at present’
‘Bridport is a mainly white community – not really possible’
‘focus was climate change rather than interfaith relations’
‘we need to think about something outside Sunday services!’
‘Open a dialogue with the Muslim community. No other communities present’.
‘Try a joint service with Sikhs/Hindus/ Muslims’