Norwich InterFaith Link

Norwich InterFaith Link is a meeting point for people of diverse religions, cultures and communities, to share experiences and beliefs. In new friendships and shared concerns, bonds of trust are born. We meet monthly, for talks on challenging topics, discussions on issues of common concern, with occasional visits or other activities.

Monthly Meetings

During the winter months many of our monthly meetings take place by Zoom video link on your computer with members on our mailing list given details and reminders by email. When the warmer weather returns we will be looking for opportunities to meet in person, please contact David, Chair with suggestions.

To be added to our email list, please complete the Mailing List form.

DONATIONS to NIFL: (Suggested £5)

HSBC Business Account. Norwich InterFaith Link,
Sort Code 403509,
Account Number 04414225

Our annual expenses for Zoom, website, flyers, bank charges etc come to £300. Last year’s donations were £30. Please help individually or with information about grants.

What’s On

May 2024

Tuesday 14th May

Tia, a journalism student at UEA will share her findings on Hate Crime in Norfolk. She has said she has found examples among Religious communities.
She writes for the site: https://ueajournalism.com

News from the Chair

To contact David, please use our Contact Details form.

In June, Nuno Corte-Real has offered to give members a talk and a tour of the Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at Cringleford, near Waitrose.
He can offer
THU 6/6 – 19:30 – 20.30
THU 13/6 – 19:30 – 20:30
FRI 14/6 – 19:30 – 20:30
SAT 15/6 – 10:00 – 11:00 or 14:00 – 15:00
If you wish to take part, let me know which suits you, and I will try and arrange the most popular date.
Best wishes,
David
Chair of Norwich Interfaith Link
Thanks for your financial support to keep us going.

The Zoom on Sustainable Food went well.
If you wish to support their activities, contact
Sabine Virani sabine@sustainablefoodnorwich.org.uk
To contact Peter Belton, Chair of the Interfaith group on Climate Change and Environmental Issues who are looking for more members:
peter.belton2@ntlworld.com

Eco Islam news: well done Fazlun Khalid, a member of NIFL.
https://mailchi.mp/bbb42a3ab9ee/al-mizan-launch?e=b5c673b6d1

Donations from members of NIFL are starting to come in for which we are grateful.
HSBC Business Account
Norwich InterFaith Link
sort code 403509
account number 04414225

Recently I went to the opening of Soul Church.
I went to a Christian Aid training morning in Norwich.
I was interviewed at UEA on hate crime.
I went to the African Musical Evening at the Catholic Cathedral.
I went to a social Bahai house party preceding their month of fasting.
I was shown round the Chapel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints by Nuno.
Thanks to all our hosts.

February 2024

The National Interfaith Network organisation has folded after Mr Gove withdrew his offer of funding.

January 2024

Sherie Brown is the Serious Violence Communications and Engagement Officer at the Office of the Police and Crime Commission for Norfolk and has asked to introduce herself to us at 7.15pm, prior to our meeting on 23rd January to seek your views and experiences around the main issues relating to serious violence in Norfolk, including, drivers and causes, those most affected and the wider impact on families, communities, and services and what you feel is working well in relation to the prevention and reduction of serious violence, the barriers, and challenges to tackling violence and gaps in service.

James Dudley who works at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital as Head of Patient Experience, has spoken to me about his role which includes gathering feedback to improve the services on offer. He would love to reach out to local faith groups to widen support to them, and to try and ensure NNUH is giving equitable healthcare to everyone. Please contact him if you have any concerns or improvements, however minor, for hospital care and do consult others in your communities.
james.dudley@nnuh.nhs.uk
01603 645436 Internal ext 5436

NIFL subscribes to the national organisation IFN (Interfaith Network) which had its Government grant cut last year and is having to apply again this year, via a debate in Parliament. Here it explains its role: https://www.interfaith.org.uk/about/importance

December 2023

I am glad that a significant number of us have booked a place (and badge) at the Religion and Media Event (details above) on Thursday November 30th at 2pm to 7pm in the Weston Room at Norwich Anglican Cathedral. There is still time to do so. Any problems let me know.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/creating-connections-religion-and-the-media-in-norwich-tickets-662463404877 We were alerted to this event by Liz Hoffbauer, Church Leader for Norfolk and Waveney Quakers, and the first meeting took place in April.

Norwich is one of 6 cities chosen to host this unique networking opportunity this year, along with Bristol, Bradford, Coventry, Newcastle and Liverpool. Attendance is free, but you must register beforehand. Thanks to Michael Wakelin for organising next week.
https://religionmediacentre.org.uk/events/creating-connections-norwich/

Laying a wreath at City Hall on Remembrance Sunday went well. Thankyou to Gayatri, Ujjal for representing Hindu and Sikh veterans and Junior for representing Caribbean veterans. We were joined by Jewish representatives, and the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints.

I was invited by Lauren to the Great Yarmouth Interfaith Group Service last Friday for National Interfaith Week at the Minster. It was well attended with readings and prayers by Anglican, Muslim, Unitarian, Jewish, Catholic, Bahai, Pagan, and a Methodist Gospel Choir, with an address from the Mayor.

We are a member of Inter Faith Network (IFN) a national organisation and this is their latest news about Interfaith Week.

https://mailchi.mp/interfaith/press-release-inter-faith-week-13644068?e=e18ee586e6

In the last few weeks I have been invited to visit both The Norfolk and Norwich Hospital Interfaith Chapel and Chaplain, and the newly built, and opened by the King, Priscilla Bacon Lodge Hospice, also designed to be Interfaith. Thanks to both chaplains for their inclusive work with and provision for patients, relatives and staff. https://www.nnuh.nhs.uk/departments/chaplaincy/chapel-and-services/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c845l1k2j3go

It has been good to hear that both Bishop Graham and the Dean were invited by the Synagogue to visit and give talks in the light of the Israel-Hamas war.

It was also appreciated when the Liberal Jews invited us to join their Zoom from an Oxford Professor born a Jew in Iraq with challenging views on the causes and solutions of the Middle East war.

Meanwhile the Interfaith Climate Change Group, initiated by the Muslims, hosted first by Bishop Graham, then the Quakers and Muslims, chaired now by Peter Belton, Quaker, continues to meet and is looking for ways of publicising this unity of purpose and variety of activities (such as those in Islam and in the Anglican Diocese). Helen Simpson’s artistic creation suggestions are very exciting and encouraging and Peter’s link to Possitopia and Sustainable Food. Please join if you can help. Meanwhile watch The Climate Fight on Channel 4 catch up to realise the determination and faith needed to save the planet.

Best wishes,
Hope to see you soon,
David
Chair.

Reports/Videos from previous meetings

The recording of our September 2023 Zoom meeting with Miles Neville talking about Secondary School RE has been uploaded to YouTube, Please click link below to watch.

YouTube video with Miles Neville Secondary RE

July 2023 meeting of members of NIFL sharing the basics of their beliefs and finding the common ground shared by all.

A summary review of Norwich Interfaith Link activities in 2021/22 can be found here