York Interfaith Group (YIG)

Newsletter – July 2016

· Editor’s Note

June 24th 2016 was a historic day for the UK. A 52% majority of a record turn-out electorate (over 33 million people) voted for the country to depart from the collective political system that has transformed (over four decades) from a Common Market to a European Union (with various perceptions around what that should mean jostling for prominence).

While the result of the Referendum signalled a separation of political systems, it didn’t and shouldn’t indicate any change in the way that friendships and relationships across national (newly restated) boundaries are forged and fostered. When it comes to people, we need to continue to work together, serve one another and unify for a peaceful Britain and Europe. The ‘Golden Rule’ still applies!

It is my hope that European nationals (of all faiths) living in this country will be reassured through friendship; to especially help them to feel welcome here at this sensitive and vulnerable time. And I also hope that people of all faiths and of goodwill in our country (and across the European Continent) will be very aware of the potential for divisive attitudes to arise and so counter them by increasing every peace-making and friendship-shaping Interfaith and Intercultural effort.

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· Contributions to our Monthly Newsletter

Thank you, to those who have sent contributions to . We welcome your articles, thoughts, events, notices, poems, views and questions for publication and discussion. We hope that our group is open, inclusive, transparent, participative and responsive to your needs.

· July York Interfaith Group Meeting

7.30pm Tuesday 5th July 2016

Faiths and the Status of Animals: husbandry, conservation, food

Panel: Maurice Vassie (Chair), Abid Salik, Jerry Karlin

Host: Mark Cosens

· Invitation to the York Mosque (Bull Lane, off Lawrence Street, York)

An event will be held for Eid and the Celebration of Phase 1 completion for the New Mosque on …

Sunday 17th July between 3pm and 6pm All are welcome!


· York Interfaith Representatives Meeting the York MPs

In June York Central MP Rachael Maskell (Labour) asked to confer with members of York Interfaith Group to discuss topical issues where faith perspectives are helpful.

A positive, constructive conversation took place at the City of York Council Station Rise offices with eight Faith representatives putting their points in a spirit of mutual respect, civic participation and with caring for the society in which we live.

Just a couple of items on the agenda included the ugly, sporadic rise of anti-semitism and the need for civility in political discourse. Engaging faith communities in political life and seeking contributions of religious leaders to public debates were also raised.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy MP (Conservative) has subsequently also been contacted to provide the opportunity for the York MP from the other main party to hold a similar consultation and has agreed to do so. A date is being arranged. If anyone would like to participate please let Mark Cosens know on 07796095152.

· York Interfaith Group Visits the Touchstone Centre in Bradford

Also in June, an intrepid group of York Interfaith Group stalwarts travelled to Bradford to learn about the excellent work of the interfaith outreach team at the Touchstone Centre.

Treated to a Curry and a Conversation the warm welcome was appreciated by all, who gained a fascinating insight into this remarkable project.

Touchstone is a 'listening community' with the vision of making safe places of hospitality where people who are radically different can listen to and with each other. Based in the heart of Bradford, Britain's most Muslim city (we learned that over 50% of the population are of Pakistani Muslim heritage), Touchstone has worked alongside diverse communities for 25 years. The Touchstone Centre is sponsored by the Methodist Church in Britain and is open to all.

The ‘Women Weaving’ initiative was one of the highlights. Weaving is a traditional activity in Bradford. In the 19th Century the city was an international centre of textile manufacture and known as the 'Wool Capital of the World'. Although most of the mills have now closed, there are still many memories of weaving in Bradford and colourful markets selling wonderful fabric. Stories about weaving are also around in the many cultures that form the community here, in particular amongst asylum seekers and refugees from around the world and the many Pakistani families who have links with the mills. Touchstone has a loom so that anyone who visits can 'have a go' and begin to share stories and creativity. This creates a safe environment and enjoyable atmosphere in which sometimes isolated women can get to know each other and express themselves.

The group’s leader, Dr Rev Barbara Glasson explained that “a 'touchstone' is a very ordinary looking rock which is used to test the purity of gold and gold alloys - the metal leaves streaks when drawn across the touchstone. Our ordinary looking house is a place where people can discover the best in themselves.”

Some of Touchstone’s activities include:

· Enabling people of different faith backgrounds to understand each other

· Taking time to listen to the struggles and experiences people have

· Understanding the relationship between England and Pakistan

· Learning to be confident about what Jesus means to us

· Being proud of West Yorkshire people and their heritage

· Having fun together doing creative activities whilst listening to stories

A Day of Mindfulness

As part of the Trust’s commitment to staff wellbeing and in response to a growing interest in Mindfulness Based Interventions in Healthcare, A Day of Mindfulness is being offered to all staff, service users and carers on:

Friday, 1st July 2016

9.30am – 4.00pm

Learning & Development Centre

Fieldhead Hospital, Wakefield

Mindfulness practice is rapidly mainstreaming itself within healthcare as an evidence based skills training that can have a powerfully positive effect on staff well-being & organizational culture. It is also increasingly being developed as an effective therapy for many mental and physical health problems. The day of Mindfulness includes both theory and practice and will enable participants to make informed choices about options for promoting mindfulness-based approaches to the workplace.

Recent research indicates significant benefits of mindfulness training for individuals and organisations. These include:

· Reduced stress and reduced time off through illness

· Better decision making

· Enhanced creativity

· Greater flexibility in adapting to changing situations

To book a place, please contact Debby Walker, Pastoral & Spiritual Care, Fieldhead. Tel. 01924 327318 or email:

· Do Politcs and Religion Mix? A reply from Joyce Pickard

· York City of Sanctuary (YCoS)

Syrian Refugee families coming to York will include children and possibly 3 generations in the each family. One suggestion put forward from an idea coming from York Unitarians of having small ‘Welcome Bags’ to give them is under consideration by representatives from York City Council. If you want to know more about the ‘Welcome Bags’ or donate anything for them please speak to Dee Boyle.

For any other information relating to YCoS please check their website www.york.cityofsanctuary.org or contact the Co-ordinator, Paul Wordsworth on

If anyone has any other ideas that they would like us to consider from an Interfaith perspective please let Dee know and she will pass them on to the YCoS committee so that they are included in discussions. It could be a good idea for faith groups to list any plans that they have put in place for helping any of the Refugees when they arrive in York. These plans could be included in the welcome packs so that the Refugees can see where they would be welcome and the type of activities or groups that are on offer.

Please contact Dee on or text on 07761 762 967

· York International Shared Meal

Celebrate ONE WORLD WEEK by joining in the INTERNATI0NAL SHARED MEAL

6-9pm SATURDAY OCTOBER 29th 2016 at Acomb Parish Church Hall, Front Street, Acomb, YO24 3BX Please bring a dish of your own country or tradition to share, and contribute just £3 (Please bring food by 6.15pm) 16 & under are free. Entertainment after the meal. Organised by York Racial Equality Network, York Interfaith Group and York Baha'i Community. For information contact: Tricia Castle 01904 641657 or YREN 01904 624600 /

· York City of Sanctuary – Arabic Speakers?

If anyone knows of any Arabic speakers who may be able to help with some translation for Arabic speaking refugees coming to York then please kindly let Paul Wordsworth know:

· Religious Festivals in July 2016

6 July - Eid-al-Fitr Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month-long fast during the Islamic month of Ramadan. It's one of the two major holidays in the Islamic year and is celebrated with prayer and thanksgiving to God, as well as feasting and gift giving.

6 July - Ratha Yatra Since the 1960s, Ratha Yatra has been celebrated by Hindus in the West, mainly due to the influence of the Hare Krishna movement. Ratha Yatra means 'chariot festival' and is a Hindu festival traditionally celebrated in Orissa State on the east coast of India. Statues of the Hindu gods Jagannatha, Baladeva and Subhadra, are taken from the Temples and pulled on chariots through the streets, accompanied by crowds of people and loud music. The English word juggernaut comes from Jagannatha and the huge chariots made in his honour.

10 July - Martyrdom of the Báb

Getty Images

The terraced gardens at the Shrine of the Báb, and the other Bahá’í holy places in Haifa, Israel, were declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2008. On this day Bahá'ís mark the anniversary of the execution in 1850 of the Báb, the herald of the Bahá’í faith. It is one of the nine holy days of the year when work is suspended

19 July - Dharma Day Dharma Day, or Asala, is when Buddhists from the Theravada tradition celebrate the teachings of the Buddha. Dharma refers to the Buddha’s body of teachings, and on Dharma Day Buddhists celebrate the day the Buddha began to teach his Four Noble Truths and Eight Fold Path, often referred to as the ‘Wheel of Dharma’.

· 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, please see: http://www.interfaith.org.uk/publications/ifn-e-bulletin which links to the latest IfN e-bulletin.

· The Website

A big thank you, to Jan Jauncey for looking after the York Interfaith Group website. By-gum (that’s Yorkshire for those who may not know) we are with the digital age! Please see the website for an introduction to the group’s activities and for ongoing events and updates… www.yorkinterfaith.org

· Subscriptions

The group welcomes new members and Michelle Wagstaff, York Interfaith Group Treasurer, welcomes any subscriptions (£15 Standard Fee, Minimum £6 for Concessions, Free for full time students)

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York Interfaith Group. Monthly Newsletter and Publicity: Mark Cosens: