Foundations of Faith to be strengthened at Cambridge

I’m obviously interested in seeing the foundations of faith strengthened in Cambridge in the straightforward sense of the words. But as a manuscript man I was also delighted to hear today that Cambridge University Library has announced visionary plans to become a digital library for the world – following a £1.5m lead gift pledged by Dr Leonard Polonsky.

The CUL is home to more than seven million books and some of the greatest collections in existence, including a superb science collection with papers from Newton and Darwin, Flamsteed, Halley, Clerk Maxwell and Hawking.

But its faith collections are just as breathtaking. They include

• some of the oldest and most significant Qur’ans ever to be uncovered, as well an Eighth Century copy of Surat al-Anfal.
• the world’s largest and most important collection of Jewish Genizah materials, including the Taylor-Schechter Genizah Collection – 193,000 fragments of manuscripts as significant as the Dead Sea Scrolls.
• an incomparable collection of Christian manuscripts including the Codex Bezae Cantabrigiensis (one of the most important Greek New Testament manuscripts), the Book of Deer and the Book of Cerne.

The first collections to be digitised will be therefore be entitled The Foundations of Faith and The Foundations of Science. The goal for both is that they become ‘living libraries’ with the capacity to grow and evolve.

University Librarian Anne Jarvis said: "Faith and science will be the two cornerstones of the project, both of fundamental importance in our quest to understand the world and our place in it.”

http://medievalnews.blogspot.com/2010/06/university-of-cambridge-to-create.html

Filed under: books, Cambridgeshire, faith, science

FaithNet East extra bulletin

Electronic Bulletin – April 2010 (no 2)

Welcome to the FaithNetEast e-bulletin: news, training, funding opportunities and events for faith groups and those with an interest in faith issues across the East of England Region. Please let us know if you have events planned for the coming months that you would like to see included, or post your events directly on the new noticeboard facility on the FaithNetEast website www.faithneteast.org

National Inter Faith Week 2010

Inter Faith Week will take place across England and Wales from Sunday 21 to Saturday 27 November 2010. The aims of the Week are: to strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels; to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, in particular celebrating and building on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society; and to increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious belief.

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EVENTS AND TRAINING

The Cambridgeshire Courses in Spiritual Direction, Cambridge

A two year ecumenical course in Cambridge runs next from October 2010 to June 2012. It will run in term times at an approx. cost of £600 p.a. For further details apply to The Course Administrator, 77, St Ovin’s Green, Ely, Cambridgeshire CB6 3AW or email johnjudysansom@ntlworld.com

There is a "Taster" session, to meet tutors and sample the teaching, on Tuesday 18 May from 2pm- 4pm at St James Church, Wolfstan Way, Cherry Hinton, Cambridge.

World Congress of Faiths AGM, 26 May, London

5.00pm at the National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of the UK, 27 Rutland Gate SW7 1PD – followed by refreshments and the Annual Younghusband lecture entitled ‘Faiths, the State and the Public Realm’ by Barney Leith. Further details: www.worldfaiths.org or info@worldfaiths.org

Harmony in Difference, 25 May, Luton

Celebrating Diversity of Culture and Religion with

LYRA – The Russian Vocal Ensemble of St. Petersburg Concert,

St. Mary’s Church, Church Street, Luton LU1 3JF

at 8.00 p.m. (Refreshments will be served)

Free concert but donations will be collected in aid of the Chile Earthquake Relief Work. For more details and bookings, please contact David Jonathan (Johny) on 01582 416946 or email jgrassroots@btconnect.com

National Family Week 31 May – 6 June:

is the largest coalition on family issues and is backed by all major political parties and a huge range of national charities, community groups and sporting associations. Over 5,000 events will take place to encourage families to spend quality time together. National Family Week would like your organisation to get involved. For further information on the plans for The Week, theme day toolkits and promotional resources, visit the National Family Week website at www.nationalfamilyweek.co.uk and register for the Partner Zone.

‘Priceless’: British Racing School, Newmarket, 10 June : A conference to celebrate the work of community groups organised by the Eastern Region Infrastructure Network. For further details contact mandy.crawley@cover-east.org

Guitars and Keyboards in Worship: Colchester, 15 May

Lexden Evangelical Church 10am – 4:30pm: A practical workshop for experienced players to develop music skills in a worship context. The workshop will be led by Carey Luce, a talented multi-instrumentalist and freelance musician who lectures at London School of Theology, and Charlie Groves, an experienced worship leader who has directed music in several different churches. 

Book on-line or download a booking form with more information here (http://www.mwf.org.uk/guitarskeyboards.html )

The day costs £21, concessions £14. For more details contact 01473 612459, or eastanglia@mwf.org.uk

Refugee Week: Peterborough, 14 – 20 June

A unique opportunity to discover and celebrate the contribution of refugees to the UK, and encourage a better understanding between communities. For further details please contact New Link – 01733 864311 or Kasia.chiva@peterborough.gov.uk

Small Charity Week: 14-18 June

The inaugural Small Charity Week aims to put the sector at the forefront with events and campaigns right across the UK; it will be celebrating the huge impact that small charities make to every community in the country. For more information on events being held during the week go to www.smallcharityweek.com.

FUNDING

Communitybuilders Programme

The deadline for the next round of grants under the Communitybuilders programme is the end of May. The grants are up to £75k for Third Sector organisations who want to develop project plans for new or refurbished “community anchor” buildings. Applicants should be considering taking out a full investment for their building, the majority of which will be a loan. These grants are managed by The Social Investment Business. Full information is on the website: www.communitybuildersfund.org.uk

Awards for Bridging Cultures 2010 – Celebrating intercultural dialogue: In 2008, iCoCo launched the Awards for Bridging Cultures (ABCs). Funded by the Baring Foundation, the ABCs reward grassroots projects, run by community and voluntary organisations that help to build bridges between communities and cultures.  The 2010 ABCs were launched on 31 March. If you have a project that you think is eligible go to www.bridgingcultures.org.uk to find out how to apply.

Mustard Seed Grants

Enable churches and faith-based organisations to engage in social action through supporting them to initiate or develop community work. This work will enable groups to either undertake larger pieces of work or significantly improve the existing provision. To find out more and to get an application form visit http://www.cuf.org.uk/mustardseed.aspx

Grant finder

GRANTnet is an online resource enabling you to search for appropriate and specific funds for your project. Funding streams include government, private and voluntary sector funding. The information is regularly updated by GRANTnet.

To register and access Grant Finder click here. 
Grassroots Grants Scheme
http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/grassroots-grants

If your group ticks all the boxes, then you could apply for a Grassroots Grant of £250 – £5000

· A not-for-profit voluntary or community group in England

· Led by volunteers

· Active in local community 12 months or more

· Average income (over three years) of less than £30,000 per year

· Works for the benefit of your local community.

GUIDANCE

i-volunteer is a new social network for people who love everything and anything to do with volunteering. To find out more please visit www.i-volunteer.org.uk

Urban Forum is producing a series of case studies for the Equalities and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) on how public bodies – councils, schools, PCTs, the police etc – are meaningfully involving marginalised groups in policy-making. They are keen to hear of any examples you think they should know about. To find out more or suggest possible case studies email rachel@urbanforum.org.uk

Charity Commission good practice guide for faith-based organisations

The Charity Commission has published Faith in Good Governance, a new guide to good practice for the 30,000 faith-based organisations in the third sector. The guidance, released by the Commission’s Faith and Social Cohesion Unit, will help trustees, staff and volunteers of faith-based charities, including places of worship, comply with charity law, and equip them to work better, whilst recognising that maintenance of their faith-identity, core aims and mission is key. A full copy of Faith in Good Governance can be downloaded at

www.charity-commission.gov.uk/tcc/faithgov.asp#fore.

PUBLICATIONS

The Black Church in the 21st Century edited by Keno Ogbo and Dr Joe Aldred (Secretary, Minority Ethnic Christian Affairs, Churches Together in England)

A 300+page anthology that will be published in June 2010, it includes chapters by various writers from across the Black British Christian constituency exploring contemporary topics.

Pre-publication reduction to £10.95+p&p until June when the price will be £12.95+p&p.  To order send your details and the correct payment (including £2.50 p &p) to:

Norwich Books and Music, St Mary’s Works, St Mary’s Plain,

NORWICH NR3 3BH, tel.: 01603 612914

OR order online at www.dltbooks.com

Disclaimer:

While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information, please confirm all the details yourself before making any decisions.

Filed under: Events, faith, Resources

Faith Climate Connect

A new global coalition of faith groups concerned about climate change and the environment was launched in the Barn room of the Initiatives of Change centre in London on 14 January. Faith Climate Connect is a free global resource and network, bringing together an interactive forum of videos, faith and climate news, scriptural references, video conferencing, instant messaging, photographs and blogs.

It is the brainchild of the Bible Society in association with Odyssey Networks, the New York based non-profit coalition of Christian, Jewish and Muslim faith groups.

Each of the launch participants quoted their favourite scriptural reference, several choosing the opening words of Psalm 24: ‘The Earth is the Lord’s and the fullness thereof.’

Simon Cohen of the PR company Global Tolerance, which organised the launch event, thanked Initiatives of Change for hosting the event. The challenge now, said Mark Dowd afterwards, was to grow the Faith Climate Connect coalition to have the same impact on public policy as the Jubilee 2000 campaign had on reducing international debt.

See article on The Times’ website here >>

Filed under: Environment, faith

An interview with Jenny Kartupelis: new faith adviser to the Government

Earlier this month the Government announced the appointment of a new panel of experts to advise the Secretary of State for Communities, John Denham, on faith matters. The 13 new advisers come from a range of backgrounds and faith perspectives. They include serving Bishops, academics and local activists.

Photo: Jenny Kartupelis being interviewed by Owen Spencer-Thomas MBE, who was himself recently awarded the degree of DLitt by Westminster University for services to broadcast journalism.

One of these new panel members lives in Cambridgeshire and works closely with the Diocese of Ely. Jenny Kartupelis is Director of the East of England Faiths Council, which represents faith interests to government and actively supports faith and interfaith work in the community.

Jenny is also a Fellow of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit, a national centre that brings together policy, practice and research relating to faith in the public realm. She spoke to Owen Spencer-Thomas about her recent appointment.

OS-T Jenny congratulations on your appointment. How did you react to the news?

JK I was very pleased. As I come from one from the regions where so much work is happening ‘on the ground’, it gives me the opportunity to contribute an additional interfaith voice with practical experience.

OS-T Were you surprised?

JK Well, yes. Certainly surprised to have been chosen as I believe there were several hundred applications for the 13 places. The new advisers come from a range of backgrounds and faith perspectives and include serving Bishops, academics and local activists. I gather we were selected for our commitment to faith and the diverse experience we have had in our chosen careers.

I first heard about the appointment in late December, and it was formally announced on 6 January.

OS-T Of course, you’ve already had considerable experience as Director of the East of England Faiths Council.

JK Yes, we represent faith interests. The Council gets actively involved with faith-based social action and local interfaith groups by providing training and networking. We’ve produced our own publications, for instance, Planning Guidance for Faith Groups and also information for local authorities on working with a range of faith traditions.

OS-T You’re now a member of the Panel, what will be involved?

JK We’re working on the finer details, but overall the remit is to enhance Ministerial understanding of the faith perspective. For instance, we’re being asked to advise on big issues, such as social justice, the economy and climate change.

Our task is to provide a ‘sounding board’ and give advice on how to encourage a deeper and broader relationship between the Government and faith communities nationally.

OS-T What do family and colleagues think of the appointment?

JK I have been so touched by the many kind words people have sent, on learning of the appointment. I do hope I can live up to the responsibility to bring something of use to the Panel. Certainly for me, it will be a real learning experience, to hear the views of people who are very knowledgeable in their field – I’m certainly looking forward to working with them.

OS-T Interestingly, you have a Public Relations background.

JK Yes, I established a PR consultancy in Cambridge back in 1987, which went on to win a number of national awards. I still retain an active interest in PR.

OS-T What one piece of advice would you give the Churches of our region?

JK The church leaders in this region have really led the way in inter faith matters, by inviting leaders of other faiths to join them in forming the East of England Faiths Council, and by supporting its work in so many ways. They’ve done much to dispel the largely unfounded belief that faith has created divisions in society. 

I wouldn’t presume to give them advice, but I would urge all churches to continue to look outwards and seek ways of working with other faiths that bring benefits to our society as a whole and especially its most vulnerable members.

OS-T Thank you very much, Jenny. We wish you every success in your new appointment and look forward to hearing how your new role develops.

20 January 2010

The members of the panel are:

• Canon Dr Alan Billings – Formerly Director of the Centre for Ethics and Religion at the University of Lancaster.
• Dr Harriet Crabtree – Director of the Inter Faith Network for the UK.
• Marcia Dixon – Editor of Keep the Faith, a publication distributed to black majority churches.
• Dr Doreen Finneron – Founder and director of the Faith Based Regeneration Network.
• Jenny Kartupelis – Director of the East of England Faiths Council and Fellow of the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths College.
• Wakkas Khan – Director of the Exploring Islam Foundation and a founding member of the Radical Middle Way.
• Alveena Malik – A Principle Associate at the Institute of Community Cohesion and a Trustee of the Muslim Institute.
• Mehri Niknam – Founder and director of the Joseph Interfaith Foundation.
• Rosalind Preston – President of the Jewish Volunteer Network and Chair of Nightingale House.
• Dr Jasdev Singh Rai – General Secretary of the British Sikh Consultative Forum and Director of the Sikh Human Rights Group.
• Bishop Tim Stevens – Anglican Bishop of Leicester and Founder and Chair of the Faith Leaders Forum of Leicester.
• Arjan Vekaria – President of Shree Kutch Leva Patel Community (UK) and the Hindu Forum of Britain.
• Prof Paul Weller – Head of Research and Commercial Development, Faculty of Education, Health and Sciences and Professor of Inter-Religious Relations, University of Derby.

Owen Spencer-Thomas can be contacted on owen.spencer-thomas@ely.anglican.org

Filed under: community, Current affairs, faith, Diocese of Ely, East of England

Faith News from the East

The East of England Faiths Council, headed up by Jenny Kartupelis, sponsors an excellent monthly e-bulletin called FaithNetEast. Here is the latest, for January 2010: news, training, funding opportunities and events for faith groups and those with an interest in faith issues across the East of England Region. If you have events planned for the coming months that you would like to see included, let them know, or post your events directly on the new noticeboard facility on the FaithNetEast website www.faithneteast.org

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EVENTS AND TRAINING

The Women’s National Commission Eastern Region Events, 26 & 27 January, Cambridge and Norwich, 9.00am – 1pm

Do you want to know more about how you can make a difference by shaping decisions affecting your community and getting more involved in public life?

The Women’s National Commission, funded by the Government Equalities Office, is hosting two free morning events in this region as part of their national Women in Public Life programme. The events will include breakfast, short presentations by inspirational women, practical tools to help you take those first steps in applying for appointments and an opportunity to learn more about being involved in public life. 

26 January, Cambridge University, University Centre, Granta Place, Mill Lane, Cambridge, CB2 1RU
27January, Norwich City Council, City Hall, Norwich, NR2 1NH
To book a place, email WIPLEvents@communities.gsi.gov.uk or fax 030344 43314 by Wednesday 20 January 2010

Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January 2010

marks the 65th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau Concentration Camp.

HMD is an opportunity for people of all faiths to come together to remember those of their own and other faith traditions who have been victims of hatred, exclusion and genocide. 

The Holocaust Memorial Day Trust has produced a series of Faith and Inter Faith readings from a number of religious traditions and includes suggested prayers and readings which focus on individual experiences and beliefs.  You can download this document from the website http://www.hmd.org.uk/resources/item/346/

If you are planning on marking HMD 2010 you can order a pack free of charge http://www.hmd.org.uk/campaignpack.php – this includes information and resources to assist you in commemorating HMD. 

There is also a short film for HMD 2010 narrated by Daniel Radcliffe available free of charge which can be ordered by calling 0845 838 1883 or emailing enquiries@hmd.org.uk – the film features three Holocaust survivors including Iby Knill, a Christian who was arrested for her resistance work and remains an active member of her Church today.

Contact the HMDT Team if you would like to know more: Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, PO Box 61074, London SE1P 5BX

Tel: 0845 838 1883

Presence & Engagement Evening, Luton, 1 February, 6.45 – 9.00pm, Hightown Methodist Church, 47 High Town Road, Luton LU2 0BW

Christian Witness in Multi-Faith Britain. An evening for church leaders to speak with members of the Church of England’s national P & E Task Group with buffet supper, Bible study – led by Canon Guy Wilkinson – Inter Religious Affairs Advisor and knowledge exchange. For those ministering in multi-faith contexts and for those whose contact with other faiths is mostly ‘virtual’ – via television and computers.

Free (donations for food gratefully accepted). Contact the Rev’d Jay MacLeod, Inter Faith Advisor to the Bishop and Diocese of St Albans: 01234 266945 or jaymacleod@mac.com

Community Empowerment: The Regional Empowerment Partnership is holding a range of events to help people get involved in local decision making, such as Councillor Briefings, Learning Events, Project Visits.

• 10 February 2010, Forest of Marston Vale, Bedfordshire
• 10 March 2010, Kempen Room, The Maltings, Ely
• 25 March 2010, The Fielder Centre, Hatfield, Hertfordshire

To book contact: Joanna Reynolds on 01223 484644 or
joannareynolds@ee

A full listing of the events can be viewed at http://www.inspire-east.org.uk/listofevents2009-2010.aspx?Area=NETWORK6.

Planning Guidance FREE Seminar, Cambridge, 25 February

9.30am – 2.30pm, St Barnabas Church, Mill Road, Cambridge,

East of England Faiths Council with Planning Aid East of England.

Our research and experience show that faith groups are flourishing in this region, and contributing in a number of ways. They also show that a significant number are either seeking new premises, or looking to expand existing ones. If you are a Faith Group facing one of these situations or are interested in having a better understanding of the planning issues that affect you, come along to this Free Advice Seminar.

Speakers will include people who have been involved with new faith building development from faith groups and their planning advisors.

Lunch will be provided. For more information or to book a place please contact EEFC on 01223 421606 or email eefc@cambcatalyst.co.uk

EEFC Community Leaders Support Group, FREE Seminars

Cambridge, 18 March - IT and Data Protection

Braintree, 23 March - Media

Norwich, 25 March– Community Needs / Finding Funding

In response to feedback and requests, we start the new year by holding three FREE seminars, each with a different topic.

The first will be in Cambridge on Thursday 18 March and will focus on getting the most out of your IT. The second seminar in Braintree will be a media workshop and will include talks and interactive sessions with professional communication advisers. The third seminar in Norwich will focus on how your group can asses and respond effectively to local community needs and will be led by experts in the field. An optional afternoon session will focus on funding sources and applications.

Please put one or all of the dates in your diaries now and tell others who you think might benefit from this network. For more information or to book a place please contact EEFC on 01223 421606 or email eefc@cambcatalyst.co.uk by 12 March.

Akashi, Many Voices, One World Festival, Cambridge, 21 March, 2.00 – 6.00pm An inspiring showcase of ideas and action in response to climate change at the Many Voices One World Festival at Hills Road Sixth Form College, Cambridge CB2 8HE. Akashi are planning contributions from many faith and cultural with family-friendly activities, art, drama, workshops and presentations.  They are looking for enthusiastic people to get involved in all aspects of this exciting event.  Call Siobhan on 01223 971353 if you would like to be part of it.

FUNDING

Faiths in Action ROUND TWO – Funding Application Round is now open for applications.  This is a great opportunity to get funding for your inter faith projects!

Faiths in Action funds both new and existing projects. Projects that support women and young people are particularly welcome. Groups can also apply in partnership with another group or organisation if this helps the project.

There is no deadline and applications will be accepted on a rolling basis but funds must be spent by March 2010. For more information and to find out how to apply, please visit

http://www.cdf.org.uk/web/guest/faiths-in-action

Any queries, call the helpline on 01223 406533 or email fundingadmin@cdf.org.uk

If you feel that you would benefit from an ‘advice surgery’ to help with your FiA application, please do let us know. If there is enough interest we can work with CDF to provide a guidance event.

The Henry Smith Charity

Offers a range of grants for projects that could be relevant to you e.g. projects providing culturally appropriate services to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities; including those that promote integration and access to mainstream services and projects providing advocacy, advice and support to refugees and asylum seekers, and those promoting integration.

Visit: www.henrysmithcharity.org.uk for further details.

The Lloyds TSB Foundation Community Programme funds small and medium underfunded charities working at the heart of communities to tackle disadvantage. They would particularly welcome more enquiries from Bedfordshire and Suffolk.  To view the full guidelines for charities applying for a grant, and to find out if your charity might be eligible, please visit www.lloydstsbfoundations.org.uk

GUIDANCE

Faith and governance: The Charity Commission has published a report for all faith-based charities to help them establish strong trustee bodies and good practice. You can access the report at http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/tcc/faithgov.asp

You are invited to participate in FaithXchange,  a new network for researchers, research-minded practitioners and policy makers working in the area of ‘young people and faith-based social action’. The network is hosted by the Faiths and Civil Society Unit at Goldsmiths College in partnership with DeMontfort University.

More information including details of a forthcoming meeting at Derby Multifaith Centre see: http://www.fbrn.org.uk./news/you-are-invited-participate-faithxchange

Free Faiths IT Helpline for the East of England

To support faith and inter faith groups who want to overcome IT barriers, the East of England Faiths Council has teamed up with i-TRUST – a social enterprise specialising in support for voluntary bodies – to provide straightforward, personal advice on IT. If you need assistance, advice or training, call 07865 971221 between 10am and 12 noon Mondays and Thursdays, and between 3.00pm and 5.00pm Tuesdays.

Send email queries to faithsithelp@i-trust.org.uk

The Advancing Assets for Communities programme offers expert support to local authorities and their third sector partners to develop joint plans for community asset transfer.

It can help Councils processing requests made by communities to transfer land and buildings into third sector management and ownership. It can also provide practical support from community enterprise practitioners to demonstrate the feasibility of community asset transfer.

If you would like to discuss the programme in greater detail, or if you require any other information, advice or support in relation to community asset transfer, please contact the ATU team:

www.atu.org.uk or 0845 345 4564 or info@atu.org.uk

Advancing Assets for Communities: Round four is now open for applications. Submission deadline: 22nd January 2010.

PUBLICATIONS

Anti-Racism graphic novel for schools

Death’s Door: Ignorance Likes Company by Jag Lall

Is a gritty story dealing with racial stereotypes and ignorance. It provides a great starting point for reflection and discussion about the damage that racial stereotyping can cause and is accessible to all reading levels.

Price £11.99 ISBN: 9781905108787

For order information please contact Jag Lall at: rs_10@hotmail.com

And Finally…

A request from Dr Fiaz Hussain:

“Dear Friend,

Aslamo-alaikum (Peace be unto you).

One of my students is looking at Islamic Finance – products and providers – compared to traditionally accepted norms in the high street as part of their final year degree project. An important ingredient to this is the views of existing or potential clients. The student has compiled a questionnaire to capture these thoughts/experiences. “

If you are in position to assist by completing the questionnaire, please contact Fiaz (details below)

Dr Fiaz Hussain

S: dr.fiaz (skype)

M: 07732252238

E: dr.fiaz@sky.com

Disclaimer:

While every care has been taken in the compilation of this information, please confirm all the details yourself before making any decisions.

Filed under: Events, faith, East of England, Jenny Kartupelis