Bishop challenges faith communities to get connected

Jenny Warbrick and Saraya Hussein prepare a meal for a Christian-Muslim women’s group in Birmingham (Photo: Dee/Outroslide)

The Bishop of Birmingham is encouraging people of different faiths to get connected this Inter Faith Week.

The Right Reverend David Urquhart will today be launching a photographic exhibition celebrating the relationships between people of faith.

The Faithful Friends exhibition features 15 portraits of people who have met each other through the Near Neighbours programme, a government-funded initiative encouraging people of different faiths and ethnicities to meet each other, build trusting relationships, and work together to transform their areas.

Bishop Urquhart is speaking at the exhibition launch. He is encouraging people of different faiths to make connections in their schools, workplaces, streets and neighbourhoods.

"Friendships that build bridges between people of different faiths and ethnicities are really good for us as individuals, enriching our lives, challenging our stereotypes and broadening our imagination," he said.

"They are also good for communities, strengthening them, removing prejudices and healing fragmentation.

"Friendships have the potential to move us from distant respect to deep appreciation, from mere tolerance to full participation in founding healthy, peaceful and generous communities.

"Most of the major faiths urge us to love God and love our neighbours. Let us together build friendships that change us and transform the places in which we live."

The 'Faithful Friends' exhibition will run at St Martin in the Bullring Church from 18 to 24 November.

There is a free photography workshop at the church on 20 November at 2.30pm.

Inter Faith Week 2012 takes place across England, Northern Ireland and Wales from 18 to 27 November.

It has been specially extended this year to mark the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.

News
Kemi Badenoch calls for end to trans 'witch-hunt' in the NHS
Kemi Badenoch calls for end to trans 'witch-hunt' in the NHS

Christian nurse Jennifer Melle was suspended after referring to a female-identifying convicted paedophile with male pronouns.

EU Special Envoy for religious freedom finally appointed
EU Special Envoy for religious freedom finally appointed

Some feel the EU has been dragging its feet on the issue of religious freedom.

Trump shares letter from Franklin Graham telling him to accept Jesus as his Saviour
Trump shares letter from Franklin Graham telling him to accept Jesus as his Saviour

President Donald Trump shared a letter on Palm Sunday that had been sent to him by evangelist Franklin Graham last October, which urged him to seriously consider his eternal state, accept Jesus Christ as his Saviour and cease trusting in his own works if he hopes to go to Heaven.

Court hearing for pastor's alleged abortion zone breach postponed
Court hearing for pastor's alleged abortion zone breach postponed

Pastor Clive Johnston preached at an open-air service within 100 metres of an abortion facility.