Interfaith Engagement and Mission

The Diocese of St Albans is a diverse diocese.  It includes a significant number of parishes where other faith communities comprise more than ten percent of the population.  Broadly speaking, there are large Jewish communities in south Hertfordshire and Barnet, and large Muslim, Hindu and Sikh communities along the diocesan spine of Watford, Hitchin, St Albans, Luton and Bedford.

As a diocese we are committed to engaging with and partnering with members of other faith communities for the common good, pursuing mission in a global world.

2021 Interfaith Week : 10 – 17 November 2021

To commemorate Interfaith Week 2021, on Wednesday 17 November, Bishop Richard Atkinson led an inter-faith dialogue, to discuss and consider together the opportunities and challenges in our communities.   Read here the Press Statement issued resulting from this occasion.

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To support parishes and clergy, we have made the following arrangements:

• We wish to have two Interfaith Archdeaconry Advisers in each archdeaconry.   The primary role of the Adviser is to be a source of advice to encourage networking among those who minister in multi-faith areas and others.  The Archdeaconry Advisers are:
  • Bedford :
    •   The Revd David Kesterton  –  email David
    •   Mrs Gillian Kern (Reader)  –  email Gillian
  • Hertford :
    • Interfaith Adviser posts x 2  –  vacant
  • St Albans :
    • The Revd Tony Rindl  –  email Tony 
    • Interfaith Adviser 2 – post vacant

• Also, the diocese has entered into a partnership with Grassroots’ Director, David Jonathan.   Grassroots is based in Luton and has a 30 year record of interfaith engagement – Grassroots is supporting interfaith work in our diocese by:
  • Being a source of expert advice
  • Supporting the Interfaith Archdeaconry Advisers in their role
  • Organising occasional diocesan-wide training opportunities
  • Providing a strategic overview to the ongoing need and work

Read and/or download INTERFAITH ENGAGEMENT leaflet here.