Newsletter of York Interfaith Group

April 2019

May the light always appear after darkness

As I write the newsletter for April we have just heard about the dreadful shootings in New Zealand when Muslim men, women and children were callously shot down in their mosques while they attended Friday prayers. What should have been a place of safety, light and peace for them instead turned into a place of fear, darkness and violence. A message of sympathy offering our thoughts and prayers were sent to our Muslim brothers and sisters at the local mosques in York from Daryoush Mazloum, our chairperson, on behalf of all members of the York Interfaith Group.

We are always aware at times like how not all people share the same thoughts and feelings as we do in the York Interfaith Group. Many people in other parts of the country or the world have quite a difficult time living and working alongside people of different faiths to their own.

May our thoughts, prayers and positive actions show others that we do care and that however small our personal actions are we try to spread some love and light into this often dark world we appear to live in and encourage peace whenever and wherever possible.

Faith celebrations or festivals this month

3 April (Wednesday) THE PROPHET'S NIGHT JOURNEY and ASCENT / LAILAT UL ISRA WA-L-MIRAJ MuslimThis marks the night journey of the Prophet Muhammad through the heavens to the presence of God, when the command that Muslims should pray five times a day was given to the Prophet. The rock from which the Prophet ascended is now in Jerusalem’s ‘Dome of the Rock’.  Muslims mark this night by reading the Qur’an and saying additional prayers.7 April (Sunday) PASSION SUNDAY ChristianThis is the 5th Sunday in Lent, when Christians begin to concentrate their thoughts on the Passion or suffering of Jesus.13 April (Saturday) SONGKRAN BuddhistTraditional New Year’s Day festival in Thailand. Containers of water are thrown as a symbol of washing away all that is evil. Fragrant herbs are often placed in the water.14 April (Sunday) VAISAKHI/BAISAKHI – The Sikh New Year FestivalIn 1699, on Vaisakhi, the tenth Guru, Gobind Singh, founded the Order of the Khalsa. Five men (Five Beloved Ones), offered their lives when the Guru asked for volunteers. The ‘Five Ks’, the outward signs of Sikhism, were made obligatory and Sikh men took the name ‘Singh’ (lion) and women ‘Kaur’ (princess). The initiation ceremony, amrit, was introduced.14 April (Sunday) RAMA NAVAMI HinduThe birthday of Rama, the seventh avatar of Vishnu, is celebrated at noon in the aarti ceremony, performed in front of a doll or of a picture depicting Rama swinging in a cradle.14 April (Sunday) PALM SUNDAY & HOLY WEEK ChristianPalm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week, when Christians remember Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. In many churches the entry is commemorated by processions, with the congregation carrying symbolic branches of trees, or palm leaves folded in the form of a cross. This date marks the start of the most solemn week of the Christian year known as Holy Week in which Christians recall the events leading up to when Jesus was crucified.18 April (Thursday) MAUNDY THURSDAY Christian (Western Churches)Christians remember the Last Supper when Jesus blessed bread and wine and commanded his disciples to remember him whenever they did this.  The name ‘maundy’ comes from a Latin term ‘mandatum’ (‘commandment’), signifying Jesus' new commandment to his disciples.19 April (Friday) GOOD FRIDAY Christian (Western Churches)This day commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus. Meditative services are held in church to mark the time that Jesus spent on the cross.19 April (Friday) HANUMAN JAYANTI HinduThis Hindu festival recalls the birth of Lord Rama’s supreme devotee, the monkey-headed Hanuman, whose feats figure in the Ramayana epic.  Hanuman’s birth is celebrated at sunrise on the full-moon day of the lunar month of Chaitra

20 April (Saturday) HOLY SATURDAY (Easter Eve) ChristianSpecial services involving the lighting of the Paschal Candle and renewal of baptismal vows take place in the evening in preparation for Easter.20 April (Saturday) - 27 April (Saturday) PASSOVER / PESACH JewishAn eight day festival when Jews commemorate the Exodus from their slavery in Egypt. The Seder meal is held in each family’s home at the beginning of the festival, when the story of their deliverance is recounted. Matzah (unleavened bread) is eaten throughout the festival.20 April (Saturday) (14th Sha'ban) THE NIGHT OF FORGIVENESS / LAILAT-UL-BARA'AH MuslimBIRTHDAY of 12th IMAM, Muhammad ibn Hasan al-Mahdi ( Shi‘a ) Muslims seek forgiveness for their sins at this time.  Many hold that on this night a person’s destiny is fixed by Allah for the coming year. The night is spent in prayer, asking for forgiveness and God’s guidance. Some fast during the daytime in preparation.  In certain parts of the world Muslims visit the graves of relatives, and the giving of charity is also traditional. In many places the night is marked with firework displays.21 April (Sunday) EASTER DAY Christian (Western Churches)Easter Day is the most important festival of the Christian year, as it is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. Many Easter traditions, such as the giving of chocolate Easter eggs symbolise the gift of new life.21 April (Sunday) - 2 May (Thursday) RIDVAN Baha’IThe most important Baha’i festival.  In these 12 days, in the garden outside Baghdad after which the festival is named, Baha’u’llah declared himself the Promised One, prophesied by the Bab. The first, ninth and twelfth days are especially significant and are holy days, when no work is done.   It is during this period that Baha’is elect all their governing bodies.22 April (Monday) ADAR MAH PARAB Zoroastrian (Shenshai - Parsi)On the ninth day of Adar, the 9th month, Zoroastrians celebrate the birthday of fire. They pay visits to the fire temple to make offerings of sandalwood or incense, and to thank the holy fire for the warmth and light it has given throughout the year. Traditionally on this day food is not cooked in the house as the fire is given a rest and the Atash Niyayeesh or litany to the fire is recited in honour of the house fire or the ceremonial oil lamp.23 April (Tuesday) ST GEORGE’S DAY NationalSt George is the patron saint of England. He lived and died in the Middle East, but his popularity grew after the Crusades, when his red cross on a white background became the symbol of the English Crusaders.28 April (Sunday) PASCHA/EASTER Christian (Orthodox)Easter Day, the most important festival of the Christian year, is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. A vigil is kept during the preceding night and the resurrection is greeted with the lighting of candles and the glad affirmation, ‘Christ is risen’.30 April (Tuesday) BELTAINE/MAY EVE Pagan Beltane is a Celtic word which means 'fires of Bel' (Bel was a Celtic deity). It is a fire festival that celebrates of the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming

year. Pagans will be celebrating this festival with a variety of events.

As part of the faith celebrations and festivals during this month maybe somewhere along the way we can all spend a moment considering how much we value the work towards Peace in this precious world that we life in. Some years ago I found a copy of this Peace Prayer in the shop at the Bar Convent and have referred to it many times, especially when faced with the news of terrorist attacks or other instances when peace is shattered by something or someone.

THE PEACE PRAYERLet us pray that strength and courage abundant be given to all who work for a world of

reason and understanding;That the good that lies in every man’s heart may day by day be magnified;

That men will come to see more clearly not that which divides them, but that which unites them;

That each hour may bring us closer to a final victory, not of nation over nation, but of men over his own errors and weaknesses;

That the true spirit of mankind – its joy, its beauty, and its hope, may live among us;That the blessings of peace be ours – the peace the build and grow, to live in harmony and

sympathy with others, and to plan for the future with confidence.

News or Information from York Interfaith Group

Next YIG Meeting. On April 2nd our next monthly meeting will be back in the Hudson Room at the West Offices at 7.30pm as listed in the annual programme. The April topic is about ‘How other Faiths enrich our Prayer’. The guest speaker is Rev. Canon Dr. Chris Collingwood and the session is chaired by Sr. Patricia Harriss CJ. There will be a discussion following the talk so please do come along and join us. Refreshments are available as usual.

The YIG Committee will be having a short meeting before the monthly session commences.

Refreshments - help needed

We would like volunteers to bring in herb teas and biscuits at our meetings. If you are able to help at all please let Dee know if you can help out so that your name can go onto the rota. Next year we will return to the previous arrangement of listing the ‘host’ on the programme so that everyone is clear as to who is providing the extra refreshments each month, but for the rest of this year we really do need your help so please consider it.

Prophet Meets Pope Francis at the Vatican

COPIED TO CLIPBOARD

On Saturday March 9th 2019 President Russell M. Nelson of The Church of Jesus

Christ of Latter-day Saints met with Pope Francis inside the Vatican, the first meeting

between a Latter-day Saint president and a pope. After the 33-minute meeting,

President Nelson and President Ballard met members of the media. "We had a most

cordial, unforgettable experience. His Holiness was most gracious and warm and

welcoming," said President Nelson. "What a sweet, wonderful man he is, and how

fortunate the Catholic people are to have such a gracious, concerned, loving and

capable leader."

 

President Nelson said, "We talked about our mutual concern for the people who

suffer throughout the world and want to relieve human suffering. We talked about the

importance of religious liberty, of the family, our mutual concern for the youth and for

the secularization of the world. They also spoke of the close relations the two faiths

have in working together on humanitarian projects. "We explained to His Holiness

that we work side by side, that we have projects with Catholic Relief Services all over

the world in over 43 countries. We've been shoulder to shoulder as partners in trying

to relieve suffering. He was very interested in that. Elder Alessandro Dini-Ciacci, a

local leader in Rome, also attended the meeting, said "It was inspiring for me to

witness two of the leaders of world faiths meet together and share brotherhood”.

"This is beautiful to witness and something we can sure learn from in our association

with people of other faiths”." Interfaith dialogue has been a practice of Latter-day

Saint leaders from the founding days of the faith.

Footnote: Several members of York Interfaith Group met with President Nelson when he

visited York in October 2016.

ONE SPIRIT INTERFAITH SEMINARY - OPEN DAYYORK MEETING

Saturday April 27th 2019 at 12.30 pm – 4.00 pm

at Quaker Meeting House, Friargate, York YO1 8RL

COULD INTERFAITH MINISTRY BE FOR YOU?Have you thought about training to be an Interfaith Minister?Could it be right for you? Want to chat it over in person?

This OPEN DAY offers an opportunity to learn about a unique training programme. In a friendly and relaxed manner, you will get a taste of our teaching approach, as well as connect with current students, ministers, and faculty. Attendance is free, and you are not entering into any expectations or commitments for further training during this meeting.MORE INFORMATION: There comes a time when we are drawn to enquire what lies beneath or beyond the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. For some of us, this enquiry becomes the work of a lifetime, as we embark on the path often referred to as the spiritual journey. Whether wondering how to take your first steps on that path, or already feeling drawn to support others in taking their own, our 'spiritual development and ministry training' could be the perfect container and a community in which to write the next chapter of your journey.

One Spirit Interfaith Foundation joins in the awakening of an inclusive global spirituality, in ourselves and in the world, through training and enabling open-hearted men and women to serve people of all faiths and none in our diverse communities.

WWW.INTERFAITHFOUNDATION.ORG

York Interfaith Group members attend York Mosque Open Day

Dee & Penny on the YIG information table

On Sunday 3rd March several members of the York Interfaith Group attended the York Mosque Open Day and talked to people of different faiths about the work that we do and the meetings that we hold each month. There were also tours of the new building which gave us a wonderful opportunity to meet and chat with members of the Mosque.

STORY OF BAISAKHI

The Sikh New Year Festival

Baisakhi (or Vaisakhi) is the name given to the festival of the Sikhs that celebrates the founding of the Sikh community known as the Khalsa on 13th April 1699.

In 1699, Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Guru of the Sikhs, summoned Sikhs from all over India to the city of Anandpur Sahib. At the gathering the Guru called upon Sikhs to uphold their faith and preserve the Sikh religion.

He asked for anyone prepared to give his life for his religion to come forward. There was a huge silence, until one person finally came forward and followed the Guru into a tent. Shortly after, the Guru reappeared with his sword covered in blood and asked for a second volunteer. Another person came forward and the Guru repeated this until five persons had offered their heads.

Finally the Guru emerged from the tent with all five men still alive and dressed in blue and wearing turbans. They became known as the Panj Pyare (the Five Beloved Ones): Bhai Daya Singh; Bhai Dharam Singh; Bhai Mukham Singh; Bhai Himmat Singh; Bhai Sahib Singh.

The Guru-ji gave them sacred holy water (Amrit). The men who were baptised had middle name as Singh (Lion) and women as middle name Kaur (Princess). The Panj Piare were from different castes. So by creating Khalsa he abolished the caste and made all equal.

The Khalsa was given five distinctive symbols of purity and courage (the five K’s) by the Guru which are: Kesh (uncut hair); Kara (steel bracelet); Kangha (comb); Kirpan (sword) and; Kachera (shorts).

Guru Gobind Singh-ji laid down the foundations of the Sikh community by creating the Khalsa and along with this there were many principles which were put forward enabling those following the religion to embrace it wholly. Three main principles are

Kirit karni: to work hard and to do seva (selfless service)

Vand ke shako: to share with others be it knowledge, food, money whatever it may be

Naam Jappo: to meditate or recite Gods name

Baisakhi is one of the most auspicious festivals celebrated by thousands of Sikhs all around the globe. A time to celebrate the religion and culture, a time to spend with family and friends whether it be at the temple, at home, in schools or cultural events.

HAPPY BAISAKHI!

Suki Kaur Matharu, Sikh Faith Advisor, York St John University and NHS Sikh Chaplain

The Website Thank you to Jan Jauncey for looking after the York Interfaith Group website. Please see the website for an introduction to the group’s activities and for on-going events and updates… www.yorkinterfaith.org

IFN - The National Body As members of the National Inter Faith Network (IFN) for the UK, York Interfaith Group sets out to bring its aims to the local level. For more information please see…. www.interfaith.org.uk Plus, readers may wish to remain abreast of events and developments on the national level. To do so, for a link to the latest e-bulletin please see: http://www.interfaith.org.uk/publications/ifn-e-bulletin

Subscriptions The group welcomes new members and Anthony Glaister, York Interfaith Group Treasurer, welcomes any subscriptions from local groups and individuals (ranging from £20 or £10 for groups to £15 individual standard fee and £6 for concessions, free for full time students)

Contact us: To contact the York Interfaith Group committee please email us on: yorkinterfaithgroup@gmail.com

Guest editor this month – Dee Boyle (Unitarian, Buddhist, Pagan).

Please do consider being guest editor for the newsletter. Without your support we may not be able to continue to have newsletters each month so please do think about helping out for a while, even just for a month.

Quote:

Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness

Archbishop Desmond Tutu