FACE 2 FAITH - Get Started
We hope that the Face2Faith month will be the start of something much bigger. Below are ways to get started
Get Advice
If you need advice and help, find out if your District has an Inter Faith Adviser. He or she will be willing to help you. See the list of District Inter Faith advisers
Prayer
Riots in the northern cities of Britain in 2001. Bombings in the London transport system on 7 July 2005. Violence against Christians in Nigeria and Pakistan. Violence against Muslims in Bosnia and Kosovo. Discrimination against Baha'is in Iran. This handful of examples show that religion is not innocent in our violent world.
This month of prayer gives us the opportunity to hold up to God our hope that the different religions in Britain and the world will learn to live with each other in peace and mutual respect.
Prayer Options
- Encourage your church to use some of prayers in the prayer and worship section in at least one Sunday service in February. Make sure the congregation knows why this is being done. If you are leading worship, make sure you include some of these prayers in your services - or make up your own.
- Structure a service around the theme of inter faith relations. Find out if anyone in your congregation has experience of working with people of other faiths, in Britain or overseas, and invite them to speak. Use the readings and the hymns in the prayer and worship section.
- Create a prayer room in your church focussing on relationships between faiths
- Arrange a mid-week meeting for prayer for better inter faith relations
- Invite someone from another faith to speak about prayer in his or her tradition
Action
In the last decade local inter faith activity has increased. Many towns now have an inter faith group or a Council of Faiths. Yet, there are still many Christians who have not talked with someone of another faith, and many people of other faiths who have not met any Christians. This month gives churches an opportunity to do something to change this.
Action Options
- Find out if there is an inter faith group near you. Your Local Authority will probably know or go to www.interfaith.org.uk/local/directory.htm , the online directory of the Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom (Tel: 020 7931 7766). Invite a member of the group to speak at your church about inter faith relations
- Make a map of the places of worship other than churches in your area. Make contact with one of them to ask whether a group from your church can visit. People of other faiths are usually more than willing to show Christians around. If you do visit, read the section on sensitivity first.
- Choose one faith that church members know little about and set up an educational evening. You could ask for a speaker from your local inter faith group. If there is no inter faith group near you, you could contact your District Inter Faith Adviser for help. See also the resources section for material for group use.
- Make the month a month of education about inter faith relations. See resources section or contact your District Inter Faith Adviser.