York Interfaith Group

Newsletter – June 2013

  • Editor’s Note

Following the brutal murder in London of soldier Lee Rigbywe recognise that tensions have been running high.

Perceptions of Islam have been twisted by those claiming to be motivated by its teachings, and in a different way, by those who are already hostile to this religion.

As members of York Interfaith Group (YIG), committed to peaceful co-existence, we can pray or consider that good and intelligent people are needed to turn potentially divisive and violent reactions into opportunities for dialogue.

In fact, on Sunday, in York, some of our Muslim members, associates and friends did just that. Instead of a small demonstration by the English Defence League (EDL) at the Bull Lane Mosqueturning ugly, some wise handling of the situation turned the encounter into a positive one. The protest could easily have escalated from shouting into violence, but a warm welcome andinvitation for the demonstrators to come into the Mosque for refreshments, a tour and to talk things overachieved a peaceful and happier outcome.

May we congratulate Imam Abid Salik and his associates for taking this initiative, which actually made quite a lot of press coverage. Here are a few links to some articles below:

York Press:

The Guardian:

BBC Online:

York Interfaith Group (YIG) was happy to assist the BBC in the preparation of their story.

In addition to these events, as circulated to members last week, YIG received the following statement from the Interfaith Network for the UK:

Statement from Co-Chairs and-Vice-Chairs of the Inter Faith Network for the UK

“We learned with deep shock and great sadness of the murder of a young member of the armed forces in Woolwich yesterday afternoon. Suchacts of violence and terror have no place in our society.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the victim’s family.

The attackers linked their actions with the religion of Islam. Statements from major national Muslim bodies have, in the ensuing hours, condemned the act in the strongest terms and stressed its lack of connection to – and complete contradiction of – teachings of Islam. Even so, there have been attacks on two mosques (in Grimsby) over the course of the last 24 hours and concerns expressed about the possibility of further attack.

Our thoughts and prayers are also with any whose places of worship or personal safety are affected.

In the wake of this terrible attack, all who share a commitment to a peaceful, safe and just society have a vital role to play in strengthening community bonds and working for greater understanding and mutual support at times of difficulty.”

Dr Manazir Ahsan MBE (Co-Chair)

The Revd Bob Fyffe (Co-Chair)

Dr Girdari Lal Bhan (Vice-Chair)

Mr Mohinder Singh Chana (Vice-Chair)

Mr Dorab Mistry (Vice-Chair)

Mr Vivian Wineman (Vice-Chair)

  • Next (June) York Interfaith Group meeting

Topically, our forthcoming meeting is entitled:

In Islam, What are the Differences between Sunni and Shia Muslims?

– an introduction.

Speaker: Prof. Mohamed El-Gomati.

Chair: Maurice Vassie Host:Daryoush Mazloum

7.30pm Wednesday 5th June 2013at

The Clementhorpe Room, Priory St Centre, Priory St, York.

  • Raja Yoga

  • St Lawrence’s church, York will host a US choir performing for charity
    The concert is on Friday 7 June at 7.30pm. It will be performed by the Albuquerque Civic Chorus from USA. The choir of 27 singers come from all over the city of Albuquerque and are on a first time visit to the UK. They will perform a programme of choral classics, folk songs, spirituals and popular music. The concert will be given in aid of the continuing support of the Guardian Angels appeal for the children’s wing at YorkHospital
  • Praying with our Children and Grandchildren with Bernadette Murray

2-4pm Wednesday 5 June £6
An afternoon to gently explore different ways of praying with our children and grandchildren, in order to encourage within them and us a deeper understanding and relationship with God. Spending some time together with scriptures and activities and thinking of ways to use them with children, including guided meditation.

Bernadette is a recently retired primary school teacher, whose role also involved working with parents, helping them to support and deepen their children's relationship with God. This led to the realisation, that while the focus was on the children, as adults, we also grew in our journey of faith.
Contact Carol Reeves and Diane Granger, Administrators, St Bede's Pastoral Centre, 21 Blossom St, York YO24 1AQ. 01904 464900

  • King Richard III weekend

St Helen and the Holy Cross, Sheriff Hutton is hosting a weekend of events to acknowledge the 530th anniversary of the Ascension to the throne of King Richard III:

Saturday, June 29th

SheriffHuttonCastle 2 to 5pm CASTLE OPEN DAY – bring your own picnic * Stalls * Games * Cream Teas

Sheriff Hutton Church 5.30pm “All’s Fair in Love and War”
A concert of medieval music by MINSTER MINSTRELS, a group of young musicians from the York Early Music Centre – retiring collection

Sheriff Hutton Church 7pm FAMILY BARBECUE – all welcome
Donations towardscosts welcomed but please book for catering numbers
Sunday, June 30th

All events at SheriffHuttonChurch

10.30am visit by the International Medieval Congress (University of Leeds) to the Church and Sheriff Hutton Castle * other visitors welcome

2pm “The Tudor Nevilles” a lecture by Cynthia Batten, BA (Queens, Belfast), MA (Michigan) Tickets £5 for talk and refreshments**

6pm Confirmation Service led by Anglican Bishop of Selby

  • Lama Lhakpa Yeshe

Tibetan Buddhist Monk returns to York after his retreat in Indiato give two talks on Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Fri 7th June - 7pm to 9pm

How to develop carefulness& attentiveness

Sat 8th June- 10am to 12pm

How to apply yourself and develop concentration & focus.

Each event is £5 (£2.50 concessions)

Both events at Friends Meeing House in York

Organised by Tibet Support Group, York.

Tel: 01904 656504Mob/Text: 07761 762 967 Email:

  • Religious Festivals – June 2013

Sun 2 Corpus Christi (Catholic Church in England & Wales) (Christian)

Corpus Christi falls on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday. The Catholic Church in England and Wales celebrates it on the following Sunday instead.

Sun 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi calendar) (Sikh)

Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh Guru and the first Sikh martyr. He also compiled all of the past Gurus' writings into one book, which is now the Sikh holy scripture: the Guru Granth Sahib.

Fri 21 Summer Solstice - Litha (Pagan )

Longest day of the year

Sat 29 St Peter and St Paul's Day (Christian)

The martyrdoms of both these saints are observed by Roman Catholic, Anglican, Eastern Orthodox, and Lutheran churches. One of the oldest saints' days.

Sun 30All Saints' Day (Orthodox) (Christian)

This day honours all saints, known and unknown, of the Christian church. Western churches celebrate All Saints Day on November 1.

  • The National Body

As members of the National Inter Faith Network for the UK, York Interfaith Group sets out to bring its aims to the local level. For more information see….

  • 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…

  • Subscriptions

The group welcomes new members and Jerry Karlin, York Interfaith Group treasurer, welcomes any subscriptions (£12 waged, £6 unwaged, free for full time students)

‘God has given us many faiths but only one world in which to co-exist. May your work help all of us cherish our commonalities and feel enlarged by our differences.’ Lord Jonathan Sacks, Chief Rabbi of the United Hebrew Congregations

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