Interfaith engagement & mission in multi-faith areas
The Diocese of St Albans 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.
Christians live out their Christian witness by being present and engaged in multi-faith neighbourhoods. Parish churches in multi-faith areas are hugely important, not just to their local neighbourhoods, but to the broader church because of their pioneering ventures.
Follow this link for more information on where the Diocese of St Albans fits into the national initiative – Presence and Engagement
Please contact our Interfaith Adviser, Bonnie Evans-Hills for help with mission in multi-faith areas.
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A bit more …
Principles of Dialogue:
Four Principles of Inter Faith Dialogue were agreed ecumenically and endorsed by the Church of England’s General Synod back in 1981:
- Dialogue begins when people meet each other;
- Dialogue depends upon mutual understanding and mutual trust;
- Dialogue makes it possible to share in service to the community;
- Dialogue becomes the medium of authentic witness.
Other links:
- Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have an INTER FAITH THEOLOGICAL ADVISORY GROUP (IFTAG)
- World Council of Church have a useful set of guidelines – Christian Witness in a Multi Faith World
- Inter Faith Network UK