Surrey Heath Celebrate Peace Day 2

A ‘Very English Islam’ Tea Party 3

Faith and Inner Peace 4

BAME Mental Health Events 4

Wellness with a Goal 5

Epsom Mental Health Week 5

Christian Muslim Forum 6

Strengthening Faith Institutions 6

Interfaith Week 2016 6

Home Group 7

Funding Opportunities 7

Upcoming Events 8

Inside this issue:

October 2016

www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk

“All human beings are the reflection of one and the same Lord. Recognise the

entire human race as one.”

Sri Guru Gobind Singh Ji

This is the last newsletter until I return from maternity leave. If you would like

to be kept up to date with events please visit the website

www.surreyfaithlinks.org and you can post your events on the SFL Facebook

Page: https://www.facebook.com/surreyfaithlinks.

Kauser Akhtar (Faith Links Adviser)

E: Kauser.Akhtar@cofeguildford.org.uk

Main Faith Festivals in October 2016

1-11: Navaratri (Hindu)

2-4: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)

3: Islamic New Year (Muslim)

12: Ashura (Muslim)

12: Yom Kippur (Jewish)

16-23: Sukkot (Jewish)

20: Guru Granth Sahib declared

Guru for all times (Sikh)

23-25: Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)

30: Bandi Chhorh Divas (Hindu)

W o k i n g C e l e b r a t e P e a c e D a y

Woking People of Faith (WPOF)

celebrated its fourth annual

International Day of Peace competition

in Mercia Walk on Saturday 24th

September at midday. Her Worship the

Mayor, Councillor Anne Murray and her

consort, Councillor Michael Smith, were

in attendance, along with children,

parents and teachers from a number of Woking schools.

Primary school children from all over Woking had been asked by WPOF to draw

posters or write about the question: “What can I do to help bring world peace?”

Their entries were judged and all the schools were informed of the winners in

early September.

This year, there were more entries than ever before and the winners came from

Barnsbury Primary, New Monument Primary, Westfield Primary, St Mary’s CofE

Primary and the Shah Jahan Mosque. The children’s work was displayed in Mercia

Walk on exhibition boards and the public were encouraged to put up their own

thoughts and feelings about peace on post-it notes. There was also henna

painting on people’s hands and face-painting using the peace symbol as the main

part of each design. A quiz was also run where people had to match religious

symbols with the name of the appropriate religion.

P A G E 2 S U R R E Y F A I T H L I N K S

www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk

During the event, peace quotations from the world’s major

religions were read by Kauser Akhtar, Simon Trick and

Meeta Joshi and beautiful peace songs were sung by St

John’s Church Choir, West Byfleet, Amaniyah and Faiza of

the Shah Jahan Mosque and finally Mandisa Taylor of the

Baha’i Faith.

The Mayor focused on the positive aspects of the children’s

work and efforts to bring peace to a troubled world.

The winning children were delighted to receive their

certificates, gift tokens and runners-up prizes from the

Mayor, and photographs of all the prizewinners, honoured guests and organisers were taken by the Woking

Advertiser and the News and Mail. Many parents and participants expressed their pleasure at the event and

how happy their children were to have their work recognised. One of the boys was even reported to be

following in his older sister’s footsteps!

WPOF organisers, Kauser Akhtar and Simon Trick, thanked all the children, parents and teachers for their

participation in International Day of Peace and encouraged them to take part in next year’s event because

they are the future of World Peace.

For more photos and live coverage of the event:

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.853471888122746.1073741859.100003798296896&type=1&l=

86bc0518f9

Surrey Heath Celebrate Peace Day

On Saturday 17th September, the Surrey Heath Faith Forum held a stall at the Farmers Market to mark and celebrate International Day of Peace; Faith representatives talked to people from the community, took part in an interfaith quiz, put on henna peace designs and some young people took part in a poster making competition.

More photos: https://www.facebook.com/SurreyHeathFF/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1227177054013186 Join the Surrey Heath Faith Forum Facebook page for latest updates.

P A G E 3 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6

‘A Very English Islam’ Garden Party

What does an ‘English Islam’ look like? With the union more fragile post-referendum and Britishness facing an uncertain future, is greater effort needed to create an inclusive ‘Englishness’ that feels open to faith and ethnic minorities – most of whom feel much more ‘British’ than ‘English’? And could mosques and other religious buildings adopt more reference points from English architectural traditions, to look and feel more ‘English’? Do we need a more English Islam?’ These questions were discussed, over tea and cake, at British Future’s ‘A Very English Islam’ garden party on Tuesday 13th September. The Tea Party took place in the Woking Peace Garden, created on the site where Muslim soldiers who died fighting for Britain in the First World War were laid to rest. The garden merges a typically Islamic design with typically English planting. And it does so in Woking, a town that has the first purpose-built English mosque (Shah Jahan Mosque) and a community of Victorian Muslims. Speaking at the ‘A Very English Islam’ event were: Baroness Syeeda Warsi in conversation with Professor John Denham, former MP and Government Minister, now Director of the Centre for English Identity and Politics at the University of Winchester, chaired by BBC Head of Religion and Ethics, Aaqil Ahmed. Sarah Pickthall, an artist who discovered the remarkable history of her Great-Great Uncle, Mohammed Marmaduke Pickthall, while clearing out her late father’s bookcase. Marmaduke Pickthall was a renowned Victorian convert to Islam, who went on to produce the first translation of the Qu’ran by a Muslim native English speaker. His story inspired Sarah to embark on an artistic project of discovery, ‘The Loyal Enemy’, which she recently presented at the Bradford Literary festival. Dr Timothy Winter, a renowned Muslim scholar, himself a convert to Islam spoke about the shared culture and heritage of Englishness and Islam. A musical accompaniment came from Woking High School band and choir, who played The Last Post to commemorate the First World War dead whom the garden commemorates and sang a selection of Muslim hymns in English, presented in the English choral style. For more photos and video recordings of the hymns please visit: https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=1104590982965710&id=100002444577089&pnref=story

P A G E 4 S U R R E Y F A I T H L I N K S

www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk

F a i t h a n d I n n e r P e a c e On 19th September Elmbridge Multifaith Forum in partnership with Surrey Faith Links hosted an important event to help those with mental health illnesses. Speakers from a number of different faiths gave sincere and pertinent presentations of how faith can be of considerable help in tackling this difficult subject, many from direct personal family experience. The formal proceedings were summarised by a professional Lead Consultant Psychiatrist from CAMHS which led to a very useful question and answer session with the audience. Individual stands held by fully trained staff were also available to provide additional help. Informal discussion continued over refreshments. For more photos: https://www.facebook.com/elmbridgemultiff/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1164478010281531

B A M E M e n t a l H e a l t h E v e n t s

Surrey Faith Links partnered with Surrey

Minority Ethnic Forum to organise two

events to create awareness of Mental Health

illnesses specifically for young people from

the Black and Minority Ethnic Communities.

Attendees heard from leading professionals

in the area of mental health and the guest

speaker was Dr Phil Ferreira-Lay from Surrey

and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation

Trust who is a Clinical Director & Consultant

Child Psychiatrist.

This was followed by workshops on self harm, ADHD, anxiety and

depression, addictions and eating disorders.

On Thursday 22nd September approximately 70 people attended

the event at the Park View Centre, Sheerwater, Woking and on

Tuesday 27th September approximately 45 people attended at

the Harlequin Theatre in Redhill. The people represented various

ethnic groups including: African (South African,

Zimbabwean, Afro-Caribbean) Chinese, Hungarian, Indian,

Pakistani, Bangladeshi, Nepali, Romanian and Sri-Lankan.

Voluntary organisations held stalls to inform attendees about the

support they offer to individuals and families suffering from mental health illnesses including: CAB, Surrey

Welfare Rights Union, CYA, Step by Step, Action for Carers, Free way union, Surrey and Borders Partnership

NHS, Catalyst, Richmond Fellowship, Kooth, Hope and Voice and Catch 22.

P A G E 5 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6

E n h a n c e Y o u r W e l l b e i n g w i t h W e l l n e s s w i t h a G o a l Do you know someone feeling stressed, anxious or low? Perhaps you’d like to enhance your general mental and/or physical wellbeing? Wellness with a Goal are a registered charity offering a wide range of affordable wellbeing services across Elmbridge, including 1:1 Wellness Coaching, Mindfulness Workshops, £5 yoga classes, 12 month subscriptions to guided meditation app, ‘Headspace’, a variety of art classes and volunteering opportunities. Their funding comes from Surrey County Council and NHS Clinical Commissioning Groups. Anyone aged 18 and over can access their service, which can be done via a self-referral. Volunteering Opportunities Wellness with a Goal have just launched their new Community Coach scheme, and are currently looking for volunteers. The aims of the Volunteer Community Coaches are as follows: to help provide a supportive relationship, to help build trust, to help raise confidence, to help combat social isolation, to signpost clients to appropriate community resources, to promote self-help tools, and to enhance the quality of a client’s life. Full training is provided and all travel expenses are covered. Anyone interested in applying should visit their website to find out more. Website www.wellnesswithagoal.org.uk Telephone 01932 231 918, Email info@wwag.org.uk Twitter @wwag_uk, Facebook www.facebook.com/wellnesswithagoal

E p s o m M e n t a l H e a l t h W e e k

Epsom Mental Health Week (8th—16th October 2016) is organised by Love Me Love My Mind, a small

registered charity based in Epsom, Surrey. It aims to promote better understanding of mental health and to

support the wellbeing of everyone in the local community.

The group planning Epsom Mental Health Week each year is open to anyone who has an interest in the event

and includes service users, carers, people working for other organisations and agencies, and mental health

professionals.

As well as Epsom Mental Health Week, Love Me Love My Mind’s other main activities are a weekly Monday

Drop In session from 4-7pm at St Barnabas Church, Epsom and a Wednesday evening “Let’s Talk”, a self help

group for people coping with depression.

For more information about the week please visit: www.epsommentalhealthweek.org.uk

For more information about Love Me Love My Mind:

St Barnabas Church

Temple Road Epsom KT19 8HA

Tel: 01372 721518

Email: info@lovemelovemymind.org.uk

P A G E 6 S U R R E Y F A I T H L I N K S

www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk

Among the events and activities already planned for this year’s National Inter Faith Week are faith trails,

dialogues, and social action events. Event listings have gone live on the Inter Faith Week website and new

events will be added on a rolling basis across the coming weeks: www.interfaithweek.org. Please look at

Upcoming events on page 7 onwards for Surrey based events.

S t r e n g t h e n i n g F a i t h i n s t i t u t i o n s

The Faiths Forum for London has developed a new programme: ‘Strengthening Faith institutions’.

http://www.faithsforum4london.org/projects/strengthening-faith-institutions-programme/

It is offering free ‘health checks’ for faith centres. The programme is fully funded by the Department for

Communities and Local Government (DCLG).

Health checks would cover: Good governance, Management Policies and procedures, Risk Assessment,

Financial Integrity

For more information please contact Lucy Bushill-Matthews:

E: home@julian-lucy.com | 07767 876625

C h r i s t i a n M u s l i m F o r u m

On Monday 3rd October, the Bishop of Guildford, Rt

Revd. Andrew Watson, hosted a meeting for Muslim

and Christian leaders to discuss issues common to both

faiths and ways of working together.

Discussions included welcoming and supporting

refugees, the work that is already happening and how

this can be further supported.

Racial tolerance following Brexit and EU terror attacks,

safety for both Muslims and Christians, Imams, clergy

and ‘lay’ people.

There was discussion about radicalisation and how to avoid it; recognition that in Surrey the main forms of

extremism are firstly extreme right wing groups and secondly animal rights groups.

There was honest and open discussions between the leaders and it is hoped these meetings will continue in

the future for better understanding and increased joint working.

P A G E 7 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6

F U N D I N G O P P O R T U N I T I E S

N e s t a — t h r e e n e w f u n d s f o r o v e r 5 0 ’ s

Nesta has launched three funds looking for more great people helping people ideas, specifically mobilising

volunteers over 50 in the second half of their lives:

The Second Half Fund will provide grants of up to £250,000 to support the growth of new ways of

mobilising the time and talents of people aged over 50 specifically in support of: children and young people,

parents and families, ageing well, creating resourceful and resilient local places.

Join In Stay In Fund will award grants of up to £50,000 and significant non-financial support from

behavioural science experts for organisations to undertake Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTs) to

understand what works best to encourage volunteers to continue to give their time regularly.

Give More Get More Fund will provide grants up to £100,000 to support organisations to trial gap years or

intensive volunteering placements for people over 50 - approaching or in retirement.

For more information please visit:

http://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/lives-saved-grades-earned-jobs-secured-and-more

Volunteering with a Qualification across Health and Social care in the Heart of your Community

Homegroup is a large charity and social enterprise. We provide housing and support services to some of the

most vulnerable client groups across the country. In Surrey we have services for homeless people, people

coming out of hospital and those with long term mental and physical health issues. For more information

about us visit our website www.homegroup.org.uk

Homegroup Service Home from Hospital service is looking for enthusiastic volunteers to support residents of

Surrey who have been in hospital either for a planned stay or an emergency, return home as soon as they are

ready to do so by providing short term support (usually up to six weeks). To enable them to settle back at

home minimising the likelihood of an unplanned return to hospital.

Home from Hospital volunteers will work in areas of their choice from Egham and Ashford in the North of

Surrey to Haslemere and Charlwood in the South going as far West as Camberley and across the Surrey

Downs area.

We also welcome interest from volunteers who have a spare room and would be prepared to offer this on a

temporary basis to those who are well enough to be discharged from hospital

but whose own home needs adaptations or for whom there are particular

concerns around isolation.

If you are interested in any of these opportunities we would love to hear

what you can offer to find out more Please contact us via Telephone

07392319772 OR 07725958288, Email: penny.diver@homegroup.org.uk

P A G E 8 S U R R E Y F A I T H L I N K S

www.surreyfaithlinks.org.uk

V i s i t i n g t h e P e o p l e o f t h e H o l y L a n d

Thursday, 27th October at Church Gate House, Cobham. KT11 3EJ

Illustrated talk by Roger and Gail Partridge on their recent visit and experiences

Organised by the Elmbridge Multi Faith Forum. To help us estimate numbers please let Geoff Morris know, as

soon as possible, if you are able to come: tel. 01932 868454 or geoffreymorris@emas-bc.co.uk.

W o k i n g P e o p l e o f F a i t h E v e n t s H o r s e l l C o m m o n E n v i r o n m e n t a l W o r k P a r t y The next WPOF environmental working party will take place on Saturday 15th October. An area of heathland around the pond at the top end of the Danewell Gutter needs clearing of birch and pine and we have volunteered!!! PLEASE JOIN US FOR THIS IMPORTANT TASK - "Lend a hand to clear the land". The meeting place for the work party will be the Sandy Track car park; which is near the roundabout at the junction of Shores Road, Chobham Road and Kettlewell Hill. The car park is about 200m down the track on the right hand side. 10am till 12 pm. Tea, coffee etc. will be provided during the morning. Please meet at 9:45 for the briefing. This is very important. We highly recommend heavy duty footwear such as Wellington Boots or thick boots/shoes; gardening gloves are good too. I n t e r f a i t h P r a y e r V i g i l Prayers from different faith perspectives for refugees around the world at United Reformed Church, Sunday 23rd October at the United Reformed Church, White Rose Lane, Woking. T h e W o k i n g P i l g r i m a g e o f U n d e r s t a n d i n g Date: 12th November, Time : 10am – 12.30pm This event is designed to promote awareness of different faith groups for Interfaith Week. A walk starting at URC then visiting the following establishments:- Quaker Meeting House, St Dunstan’s Roman Catholic Church, Shah Jahan Mosque, and the Light House, where there will be a ‘religious fair’ and lunch. The walk has been timed and takes approximately 45 minutes, but there will be 15 minute stops at each building in order for a speaker to explain the architecture and the basis of the faith. A prayer will be said before continuing. Bottled water will be provided at URC and St. Dunstan’s. Other faith groups, e.g. Baha’i, Jews, Hindus, Buddhists, Greek Orthodox, etc., who do not have a building on this route will be offered a table at the Light House on which to display any information about their religion and they will have an opportunity to explain what their beliefs mean to them. Lunch will be soup/roll and a curry. Participants can then return to their cars when they wish. Those with mobility issues are welcome to drive to each establishment and wait for the pilgrims. Recommended donation to go to Red Cross to support Refugees - £3 Parking at URC and/or town car parks. For more information on these events please contact Garry Shore, Co-ordinator, Woking People of Faith. E: coordinator@wpof.org.uk

UPCOMING EVENTS

P A G E 9 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 6

C o u n c i l o f C h r i s t i a n a n d J e w s U p c o m i n g E v e n t s

Tuesday 22nd November - an event for National Inter Faith Week

Inter Faith dialogue - the Kingston Quaker-Jewish experience. How an objection to the national Quaker position

on Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions evolved into a five-year dialogue.

Three people who have been involved in the Kingston Quaker-Jewish Dialogue Group will share their

experience. This group came together in Spring 2011 when Kingston Jews approached Kingston Quakers,

concerned that the national representative body of British Quakers was recommending a boycott of purchase

of West Bank Israeli settlement goods. Since then, the group has met nearly forty times and in Spring 2013

undertook a joint visit to Israel-Palestine. This presentation at Staines will not

discuss the overseas conflict that brought the group together, rather it will share

the experience of dialogue itself.

This event will be at Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Church in Staines.

Contact Cedric Dowe on 01252 622978 for more information.

W o m e n ’ s K n i t t i n g C o n f e r e n c e

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is hosting a women's

conference on Saturday 5th November at 10.00am, in Staines-upon-

Thames, focusing on serving the refugees in their local communities.

Women from the Guildford congregation are currently knitting 8" squares

to create blankets and are also collecting adult and children's winter

clothing in good condition. If you are a knitter, or have winter clothing,

children's sports clothes and boots, or non-electrical household items that

you would consider donating, please contact Louise Elder for more

information. 07905 674211, E: louchielou@hotmail.com

F O R C O N S C I E N C E S A K E

This thought-provoking play commemorates the opposition of Quakers and others to the introduction of

conscription in 1916

Woking Quaker Meeting House, 41 Park Road, Woking GU22 7DB

Sunday 13th November at 2.00pm

Admission free . There will be a retiring collection for a local charity

Information: www.wokingquakers.org | Tel: 01483 824980

FOR CONSCIENCE SAKE:

The play was written to mark the centenary of the introduction of conscription, and to help counter the

infiltration of a military ethos into schools through projects initiated by the government and the military

establishment.

Plain Quakers Theatre supports all those who work for peace, in particular QPSW Peace Education; the

Northern Friends Peace Board; the Peace Museum, Bradford; Forces Watch, and Veterans for Peace UK.

Enquiries and further information from

plain.quakers@yahoo.co.uk |https://www.facebook.com/plainquakerstheatre |Twitter: @PlainQuakers

Surrey Faith Links c/o CET, Diocese of Guildford

Diocesan House, Quarry Street, Guildford, GU1 3XG

T: 01483 790334, E: Kauser.Akhtar@cofeguildford.org.uk

Designed & Edited by:

Kauser Akhtar

Epsom and Ewell Borough Council

I n t e r n a t i o n a l P e a c e L i g h t C e l e b r a t i o n

2.00 – 2.30pm, 18th Dec 2016

The Ashley Centre, Ashley Rd, Epsom KT18 5AB

Come and welcome the Bethlehem Peace Light as it arrives in Epsom and Ewell. Epsom

Scouts will escort it into the Ashley Centre, where it will be welcomed by our Mayor, George

Crawford, and by renowned snooker star Jimmy White MBE. Everyone is invited to share in a

short ceremony and to enjoy the hand bells and to sing carols.

The light will be taken on to various events in Epsom. The Peace Light travels throughout

Europe, on to North America, Mexico and Canada. It is lit from the "Eternal Flame" from the

Nativity Grotto in Bethlehem.

"We gladly receive the light as a sign of our willingness to be channels of peace, by our words and actions."

C o m p a s s i o n a t e L i v i n g

Guildford and Godalming Interfaith Forum warmly invites friends of all beliefs and none to their annual com-

memoration of Interfaith Week. There will be an introductory talk from Rev. Sheena Gabriel and contributions

from Guildford Mayor, Cllr Gordon Jackson and Godalming Mayor, Cllr David Hunter.

Representatives of the Hindu, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Sikh and Baha'i communities will be sharing

their Faith’s teaching and music.

Sunday 20th November, 3.00 pm—5.00 pm at St Nicholas, Parish Room, Bury Street, Guildford, GU2 4AW.

Refreshments served after the service.

For further information please contact Carolyn Neogi: 01483 415773 | E: carolynneogi@aol.com

Inter-Faith lunch:

Wednesday 23rd November, 12-2pm in the St. Peter’s Church Hall, Frimley Green

Road, Frimley, GU16 7AQ

Bring and Share lunch for faith communities. For further information please

contact Sarah Groom: Sarah.Groom@surreyheath.gov.uk