SEPTEMBER TO DECEMBER 2010

Today, the need to understand, appreciate and respect each other remains critical. Interfaith dialogue is a most important tool here and as part of this process, or preparation for it, I have come to realise that we also need to understand much more deeply what religion is actually about and what it means in everyday life. I have identified four key aspects which need to characterise such conversations as a way “into-faith” dialogue. Assumptions, my own and others‟, must be recognised and, as much as possible, laid aside. Assumptions abound and can easily sabotage and subvert genuine dialogue. I cannot assume I know and understand the full complexity of my own faith tradition let alone that of others! We can often assume, all too easily, that we know what we mean by religion, truth and God and that “other” views are not worth listening to! We need to challenge and move beyond the crude and simplistic stereotypes that have developed within most faith traditions, often about other faith traditions! Stereotypes that conjure up what people believe and even look like, continue to drive us apart. Our own, often inherited beliefs and concepts, might also be re-examined, if we are to become religiously educated and mature in understanding. We might come to know too that religion is an unfolding process – a way of living life, here and now, and that faith is the living out of what we believe, humbly, to be wise and skilful. Religion is not about finding a cause to die for rather it is finding a cause to live for. The test is whether such living leads us from constant pre-occupation with ourselves, to compassionate living for others. And finally, this kind of preparation is about recognising that all religions and humanist approaches teach us to be examples and to model, from moment to moment, the beliefs, practices and teachings we wish to honour and promote. A religious teacher once remarked, “One solitary person living out their faith with compassion and wisdom is more precious than a whole host of confused people running around shouting, „This is my religion!‟.

Jonathan Marshall

Jonathan will be exploring “into-faith” dialogue at two lunchtime talks later this term. See inside.

D i f f e r e n t b e l i e f s

D i f f e r e n t c u l t u r e s

S h a r e d v a l u e s

3a Watts Road, St Judes, Plymouth

PL4 8SE

Tel: 01752 254438

info@pcfcd.co.uk

www.pcfcd.co.uk

Director: Jonathan Marshall

Dev Officer: Bev Smerdon

Admin: Gemma Foster

Charity no: 1089521

Company no: 4243229

Plymouth Centre

for Faiths &

Cultural Diversity

Supported by Plymouth City Council

“Do not depend on the hope of results… in the end, it is the reality of personal relationships that saves everything”. Thomas Merton quoted in “Peace is the way” edited by Walter Wink.

Bridge of Stories Bridge of Stories is a new project led by Hannah Adgopul, it aims to bring together young people from different cultural and religious backgrounds to take part in a variety of activities designed to let them share their stories and explore their ideas. Using storytelling, drama, music and discussion, we aim to help participants get to know a new group of friends, as well as talk about their own lives, learn more about others and build bridges within and across communities. We will provide a space for young people‟s ideas to be open for discussion, as well as a great way to meet other young people from Plymouth and hopefully have some fun! Participants should be over 16 and under 35.

PCFCD Open Day - 30th Sept In the current climate it is important for organisations to be very clear about why they do what they do and who they do it for!? Many peop le suppor t PCFCD in a number of ways and we would like to say thank you, as well as show you how much the Centre has changed in recent months and years, while maintaining our original ethos and philosophy. It will also be an opportunity to give us your feedback about events and activities we offer and tell us your ideas about other things you would like to see us doing. Do drop in any time from 9am – 6.00pm on Thursday 30th Sept. Light refreshments will be provided. J.M. will give a talk at 1.00pm.

FREE Taster Sessions with food & music

Tuesday 14th Sept

& Wednesday 22nd

Sept

at PCFCD, 3a Watts Road from 5.30pm to 7pm

Email: hannah@pcfcd.co.uk

Or tel: 01752 254438 for more details

2010

A New Meditation Group for Plymouth

The group to be known as The Plymouth Sangha will practise in the tradition of Thich Nhat Hanh, and will meet from 7pm to 9pm every Thursday from September 30th here at the Centre. The group is open to Buddhists and non-Buddhists alike. People of all religions, or none are welcome to join us. If you‟re interested or would like to know more, please ring Barry on 01752 484011 or Barbara on 01752 262271, or just come along on the night.

We look forward to welcoming you.

The Plymouth

Sangha

Many thanks to all the volunteers who helped us with the changes during the Summer Holidays, especially everyone who helped create the new library space. We hope you will keep in contact during the coming year.

PLYMOUTH MELA Sunday 3rd Oct

"Join us for art, music, dance, theatre, food celebrating the cultural diversity of Plymouth. Featuring headline acts Bollywood Brass Band and „Bells‟ by internationally acclaimed Akademi. Local, national and international artists include: Jon Stercx, Eternal Taal, Indigo Moon Theatre, Rohit Ballal and many more… Event starts at the Big Screen at 11.00am and moves later on to the Place de Brest.

ISLAM AWARENESS WEEK 1st to 7th November

Plans are already underway for a City Centre event to celebrate a n d r a i s e p u b l i c awareness of the beauty and diversity of Islamic art, faith and culture from around the world and its local contributions to civic life. In addition there are likely to be other events as well as opportunities to visit local mosques. (For further details see local press, visit our website or tel: 254438).

INTERFAITH WEEK 21st to 27th November

PCFCD has been a leading exponent of this event in Plymouth for many years, although it was only in 2009 that it was recognised as a national event by the UK government. Inter Faith Week aims to promote good inter faith relations, highlight contributions of faiths to building community and increase understanding between faiths and the wider society.

To celebrate Interfaith Week, all of Devon‟s Interfaith groups will be holding a

at Oldway Mansion, Paignton

Where there will be an informative, reflective and entertaining programme.

Saturday 13th November 10.30am to 6.00pm

Free admission with lunch included

email Gemma at info@pcfcd.co.uk

or telephone 01752 254438

DEVON FAITH GATHERING Saturday 13th November

In the run-up to Interfaith Week, we will once again be joining with a range of faith and belief communities from around the county to celebrate the very best of Interfaith practice in Devon. Last year‟s event was held in Exeter and saw a sell-out evening with excellent food, entertainment and the opportunity for people to make new friendships and deepen existing ones. It was decided that the event should move round the county and this year it is being hosted by Torbay Inter Faith and Inter Faith youth Forum. Following feedback from last year, this year‟s event will be bigger and better: held at Oldway Mansion, this all-day event will have activities for children and young people, as well as displays, exhibits, speakers, entertainment and wonderful food. PCFCD is part of the planning group for this and will have a stand on the day. We would like to hear from any individuals or faith communities who would like to take part and also if anyone is interested in making this a PCFCD Away Day with transport provided (at cost). This is definitely an event not to be missed..

PRAYING for PEACE 17th to 24th October

This year‟s theme for One World Week is “Peacing together One World” and it takes place in the same week as the Week of Prayer for World Peace. Both events have been running for more than 30 years and began as Christian initiatives, which soon became a focus for inter-faith activities. The WoPfWP‟s first Chairman, the late Dr. Edward Carpenter, former Dean of Westminster, established the guiding principle with the words ...

“The peace of the world must be prayed for by the faiths of the world”

Interfaith Supper An evening of reflections, reading, music and the sharing of food. All welcome. Wednesday 15th Dec 6.30pm at PCFCD

2010 is the last year of The UN‟s “International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World”. Of the 8 action points defined by UNESCO, OWW this year is concentrating on promoting respect for all human rights, advancing understanding, tolerance and solidarity and promoting sustainable economic and social development. PCFCD will be involved in a number of events during this week including:- An evening of Story Telling, music and drama on Wednesday 20th October and a lunchtime opportunity for “Into Faith” Dialogue led by Jonathan Marshall on Thursday 21st October at 1.00pm. We will also have information about additional events as we find out about them. See our website and local press for the latest updates.

WORLD CELEBRATIONS & EVENTS

September 9th Ramadan Month of Fasting Ends Muslim

9th & 10th Rosh Hashanah Jewish

10th Eid-Ul-Fitr Muslim

18th Yom Kippur Jewish

23rd Autumn Equinox Pagan

23rd to 30th Sukkot Jewish

Sept to Oct Harvest Festival Christian

October 1st Simchat Torah Jewish

8th to 16th Navaratri Hindu

17th to 24th Interfaith Week of Prayer for World Peace

20th Guruship of Guru Granth Sahib Sikh

20th Anniversary of the birth of the Bab Baha‟i

November 1st All Saints‟ Day Christian

2nd All Souls‟ Day Christian

5th Divali (Deepavali) Hindu

12th Anniversary of the birth of Baha„U‟llah Baha‟i

14th Remembrance Sunday

16th Eid-Ul-Adha / The Festival of Sacrifice Muslim

21st Birth of Guru Nanak Sikh

28th Advent Begins Christian

December 2nd to 9th Hanukah Jewish

21st Yule Pagan

25th Christmas Day Christian

See our website for further information on events. (Dates sourced from Shap Calendar of Religious Festivals with thanks)

Subscriptions to this newsletter by post are: Rates: £7 Waged £5 Unwaged Organisations £10 receiving extra copies

Cheques payable to PCFCD

The RESPECT Festival is resting this year!

After twelve years of running Plymouth‟s largest, most vibrant, most celebrated, free community event, the organiser, Plymouth and Devon Racial Equality Council, have reluctantly decided to take time out this year. The decision was not taken lightly but they feel it is time to reflect and review where this important work is going and how best to take it forward.

Ammerdown

“Interfaith Dialogue Facilitation Skills”

A Weekend Course at Ammerdown Centre, Bath

Friday 26th Nov to Sun 28th (lunchtime) Led by Justine Huxley St Ethelburga‟s Centre & Jonathan Marshall

from PCFCD

Residential & Non-residential places available.

To Book: centre@ammerdown.org For Info: www.ammerdown.org

Tel: 01761 433709

All Centre events are occasions for interfaith dialogue and are open to all. The centre is non-smoking, alcohol free and

serves fair trade tea and coffee.

Additional colour copies of this newsletter can be downloaded from our website at www.pcfcd.co.uk

Thursday Open Afternoons

Join us every Thursday (during school term time) from 12.30 to 1.30pm for our weekly Interfaith Reflection and Discussion. Tea is available from 1.30-2.30pm when there is a chance to browse the resources, talk or read.

Please note the Centre‟s opening hours are from 9.30am to 4.00pm Monday to Friday

(3.30pm during school holidays)