The TORBAY INTER-FAITH FORUM exists to bring together people who are interested in learning more about the beliefs and practises of different Faiths. The Forum aims to foster greater understanding and friendship between people from different Faith groups, and to encourage among the general public a greater appreciation of the rich diversity of belief and practice within our own society and beyond.
On behalf of the Steering Group of the Torbay Inter-Faith Forum, we welcome you to this year's annual general meeting.
As you are probably aware, the aims of the Forum, in line with current thinking and social needs, has been to develop opportunities to stimulate Inter-Faith Dialogue and understanding between the faith communities represented in Torbay, especially those of the minority religions. These include not only the different branches of Christianity, but also the major world faiths such is Islam, Judaism, the Bahiá'i Faith and the Buddhist and Sikh religions.
We are therefore delighted to report that the past year has witnessed a strengthening and consolidation of our activities and interaction with other organizations and religious bodies Torbay. We have held regular meetings and events throughout the year. Towards the closing months of 2006 we enjoyed a presentation by the Quaker friends for World Peace Day, introducing the history of the Quaker Movement, its attraction for individual members and its efforts in the wider world, as a busy U.N. - N.G.O. working for world peace. This was preceded here at the Friends Meeting House by a day long Prayer Vigil hosted jointly by the Quakers and the Bahá'is. During One World Week members of our Forum supported a special meal and musical presentation at St Matthias Church in support of Christian Aid. The U.N. Human Rights Day was yet another event marked in Torbay by our Forum. This was a talk given by Mrs Mary Fallon, on the problems and conditions being experienced by the Palestinian people in the West Bank and Gaza.
Early this year, our first event in January was the celebration of World Religion Day. This was an inter-faith program of readings from leaders of seven World religions on the importance of inter-faith dialogue in these challenging days for faith communities. The theme of the celebration was 'Religion should be the Cause of Unity" and the event was hosted by the Unitarian Church, Torquay.
More recently, in grateful collaboration with Central Church, Torquay, and with special grant funding a series of six evenings introducing 'Our Neighbours in Faith', - Judaism and Islam. A special leaflet was produced to highlight the importance for Christians of all denominations to understand other faiths. The series of talks proved to be a very successful project attracting audiences of some 50 or more participants each evening. The last session comprised an 'Any Questions' panel composed of two of each Christians, Jews and Moslems, and chaired by retired United Reform Church minister, Revd Peter Killick. We extend our warm thanks and appreciation to Mr and Mrs Kanarek from Exmouth, (Judaism), the Torbay Islamic Centre's Imam, Mr Yousif AlNasser, Dr and Mrs Mubashar and Dr Muhammad Ali and to Bishop David Silk and Revd Glyn Millington (Christianity) for their participation and contribution to the success of this event. As a result it has been suggested that we hold similar evenings on the other major world religions, including Christianity. Following the series a visit to the Synagogue in Exeter has already been arranged. A visit to the Islamic Centre, Torquay, took place recently in conjunction with the Totnes and District Inter-Faith Forum.
For all these events we are grateful for the support of the 50 or so individuals registered on our mailing list, and for the publicity given in the various Church magazines, as well as the Anglican and Roman Catholic Diocesan newsletters and websites. The local 'Herald Express' newspaper has also published reports and photographs. A publicity folder has been started to record our activities. Lastly the Torbay Inter-Faith Forum features on the Palace Avenue Methodist Church website and also on the portal of the Torbay ChangeUp Consortium.
In addition to the activities already mentioned, we have maintained representation on other local bodies such as the Torbay ChangeUp Consortium, the Torbay SACRE, and religious issues on ToRRPAT. Further afield our Forum is represented on the regional organisation, 'faithnetsouthwest', and the regional South West Faith's Council. Our Forum is also participating in a working party for the establishment of the county 'Devon Faith's Forum' based in Exeter. Our 'Community Link' diagram indicates the network we have established with some 12 other bodies in Torbay. We are particularly enriched by the presence of members of different churches and the major world religions, even though their representation is small.
As the importance of Inter-Faith understanding and social inclusion becomes more imperative in today's world, our plans for the future are becoming ever more interesting and creative. Funding has recently been received to enable us to initiate a Youth Inter-Faith Forum for Torbay. Accordingly a sub-Committee of three of our members together with young people representing secondary schools in Torbay will be meeting to plan an inter-faith programme for youth. This project will help stimulate the inter-faith dialogue and understanding in which the government now expects schools to engage.
The Torbay Inter-Faith Forum is of long-standing, being one of the earliest established in the United Kingdom, and having been in existence since 1982. Our Forum is registered therefore with the United Kingdom Inter-Faith Network, and their handbook records that our membership from different faiths includes: Bahá'i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Moslem, Jewish and Sikh, also Quaker and Unitarian believers.
At present our small Steering Group is made up of five people representing Methodist (2), the Bahá’i Faith (2), Quakers (1). We would appreciate the strengthening of this Group by at least two more members from other faiths, to a total of 7-9 members.
We will also share with you the financial report which indicates that support in the form of funding would also be warmly welcomed.
As our planet increasingly becomes a 'Global Village' affecting and even challenging our understanding and relationships with different faiths and cultures, we feel and that our efforts and contribution to enriching our local community both is both important and very rewarding. We look forward to an ever-expanding participation in Torbay.
June 2007
For further information please telephone one of the following -
Jan:
+44 (0)1803 556632 or
Heather: +44 (0)1803 690079
E-mail -
torbayinterfaith@yahoo.co.uk
Hosted by -
Paignton
(Palace Avenue) Methodist Church
Palace Avenue, Paignton, Devon, UK
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Paignton (Palace Avenue) Methodist Church
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