Pilgrimage zoom. May 20th
Summary below. Thankyou to all who contributed to an amazing evening.
The Religion Media Centre reports: Tan Dhesi, the Labour MP for Slough, has said the murder of teenager Henry Nowak by a Sikh man, has left many in the British Sikh community “feeling a profound sense of shock and shame that such a devastating act could have been carried out by someone of our faith”. Writing in The Telegraph, he accused the hard Right and the far Right of stigmatising one particular community and then picking on others – so far their target had been British Muslims, he said.
He pointed out that the attack was not made with the ceremonial Kirpan knife, which baptised Sikhs are required to carry as part of their faith, but with another longer blade. The answer to knife crime, he said, was to enforce existing laws, not “by scapegoating a religious article that played no part in this horrific crime”.
He continued: “We cannot allow the Kirpan to be misrepresented in this way, and we must continue to uphold the right for Sikhs to practise their faith freely in an open, inclusive and fair society.”
Refugee Week 15th to 21st June
Programme download:
St Matthew’s Church Thorpe Hamlet
has a long record of welcoming and working with refugees and asylum seekers. For the past three years we have opened our kitchen and worked with families from the local hotel used by the Home Office to house those seeking asylum. The hotel closed in May 2026. St Matthew’s is organising a Lunch on June 19th 12.30pm, cooked by women who were previous Hotel residents. If anyone from NIFL wishes to accompany David Griffith, they are welcome, but because of limited spaces they need to contact:bridgideveritt32@gmail.com
Service for Refugee Week, celebrating Courage: Sunday14th June, 10 o’clock, at St Peter Mancroft Church, Hay Hill.
with Music, Readings, Reflections: music and songs from the world church.
Chris Wood is leading a walk on Thursday June 18th starting at the Forum at 6pm.
June 27th 2pm Hindu Temple
Members of Norwich Interfaith Link are invited to join guests at “Unity in Diversity” — a celebration of South Asian heritage through literature, art, languages, and culture.
📅 Saturday, 27 June 2026
⏰ 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM (GMT)
📍 The Hindu Temple, Acle New Road, NR13 3QE
The event is being hosted by Vandana Khurana, member of NIFL and Chair of the Global Literary Organisation, and The Hindu temple. With the aim of bringing together members of Norfolk’s diverse community in a spirit of harmony and cultural celebration our presence and blessings would greatly inspire all participants and guests. We sincerely hope you will be able to join us. Kindly RSVP by 16th June for catering arrangements.
Vandana • vandana303@aol.com
Mobile: 07917466720
Sustainable Food Norwich
INVITATION
Date: Thursday, 18th June
Localising our food system in a way that meets everyone’s needs, including the Earth’s
www.sustainablefoodnorwich.org.uk
A number of Norwich-based groups are collaborating to hold a local screening of the People’s Emergency Briefing film on the threats to British life from ongoing damage to nature and to our climate.
Venue:The Halls, Norwich (St Andrews Hall)
Time: 6:30 arrivals for 7pm – 9:30pm
The 50-minute film will be followed by structured, small group discussions on what this means for our community. After that, from 9:00-9:30pm, there will be time for more informal discussions, and for engaging with displays and Norwich City Council’s public consultation on its draft climate action plan. The bars in The Halls will be open for drinks and snacks. This is a free, ticketed event, and tickets can be booked here.
We are keen that this event is not just non-partisan politically, but also in terms of faith groups. So we would warmly welcome members of all faiths (and none) to participate. Please bring along family, friends, neighbours, colleagues and other members of your circles.
June at the Forum
Includes events for the Deaf, and a Romani film.
https://mailchi.mp/theforumnorwich.co.uk/jun26?e=1ba366da18
The Faith and Community group met last week with the Dean at the Synagogue. Afterwards
Revd Annie Blyth, a member of the group and NIFL, emailed: “I found this helpful in visualising faith groups doing something good and visible together on St George’s Day.”
NIFL expresses its sympathy and support to our Jewish members at this time. I had to remind a Christian group this week that the recognition of the common heritage of Judaism and Christianity was obligatory at all times and in all places.
EDP Protest letter from Bishop, NIFL and other signatories . 16th May
https://www.edp24.co.uk/news/26108970.faith-leaders-norfolk-call-hope-filled-communities
Heritage Open Days do not happen until September 11th – 20th, but for those who take advantage of the chance to visit specially open places, often including some religious buildings, booking can now start online.
https://mailchi.mp/theforumnorwich.co.uk/norfolkhods-jun26?e=1ba366da18
Keir Starmer invited Christian leaders to No 10
https://premierchristian.news/en/news/article/keir-starmers-easter-message-praises-churches
The Anglican Church has some members who have formed a rival group to oppose same sex marriage and women church leaders, particularly now that the head is a woman.
Gafcon leaders met in Nigeria as splits widen in Anglican Church over Sarah Mullally – BBC News https://share.google/nwlmF2q5RyQ6AFIrz
Liz Hoffbauer of the Quakers has initiated a first meeting to discuss the possibility of establishing a Peace Centre in Norwich. It was decided the first stage was to identify all the current groups (religious, political, protest, etc) involved under the broad heading of Peace. Could you therefore send details of your group or others you know of, so an initial list could be compiled.
Liz Hoffbauer: melizhoff@gmail.com
The Bishop of Leicester Martyn Snow has told the Church of England’s parliament/general synod that the C of E is not resourcing interfaith work properly. “Interfaith work is not just about dialogue, but about action”. He has been asked to convene a meeting of interfaith leaders so the government minister responsible for the implementation of the Child Poverty Strategy can find out what faith groups are doing to address poverty.
Vatican News: The Pope and Islam: Christians and Muslims must work together to ‘revive humanity’ – Vatican News https://share.google/Lg6oTtjU4IkxIr1qG
The Pope and Buddhism:
Vatican’s Vesak message calls on Buddhists and Christians to become “artisans of peace” – Vatican News https://share.google/97HKj1KrtYG9VB2s6
Our AGM. Sunday 14th 2pm.
Reports. Elections. Plans for 2026/7. Speaker: Nikki McGee, teacher from the Inspiration Trust, Committee member: What young people can learn from Religions today? Activity: What is your worldview?
Venue: Christian Methodist Church, Wessex Street, NR2 1SD. (Central Norwich, off Chapelfield Road, driving from St Stephen’s roundabout)
https://maps.app.goo.gl/NqbcmnXbQJqRbYi67?g_st=am
Date: Sunday June 14th
Time: 2.00pm- 4pm
All members welcome. Numbers would be helpful for refreshments.
A BIG THANK YOU TO SIRAJUL AND THE NORFOLK MUSLIM COMMUNITY ASSOCIATION for hosting and sharing their Iftar meal with us on Sunday March 8th at their new community centre on Dereham Road. Neighbours joined members at a very special event. There was prayer, Sura, followed by a meal and sharing of company and conversation.
Norwich InterFaith Link 