18 March 2020         See "Events" for the latest on the Lord Mayor's Celebration.

Graham wrote on 26/11/19:

Dear all,

James, Marie, George, Tom and I met with Peter Watts and the Lord Mayor, Cllr Jos Clarke, on 20 November.

Theme
The Lord Mayor has had a long and continuing concern that we should be more open in discussing end of life issues. She and Peter Watts proposed the theme:
'How different faith communities celebrate the lives of those who have departed'
We envisaged a sequence of presentations in which representatives of the faith communities responded to the theme and hoped that 2 or 3 of them would
include music so that the time was not devoted entirely to the spoken word. The possibility was raised of a chaplain at the BRI speaking about their work.

Location and timing
We considered various rooms in City Hall and the Mansion House but all are now controlled by private firms charging high rates for hire and
not allowing DIY refreshments. We therefore accepted that we would have to use the Lord Mayor's Chapel. March 2020 marks the 800th anniversary
of the completion of the Chapel and it would be appropriate for the Lord Mayor's Chaplain, Harold Clarke, to say something about the building and its use.
The Lord Mayor will open and close the proceedings. Visitors will be welcomed from 7.00 p.m. and the Celebration will start at 7.30.
We aim to finish at 9.00 p.m. and be out the the building by 9.30.

Date
The date Wednesday 25 March was suggested and subsequent research shows that this is unlikely to clash with any significant religious festivals.

Peter said he would be taking his annual leave for much of the time between now and mid-January.
He suggested that the organising group meet again with him and the Lord Mayor in early February to discuss the draft programme.

Graham

Present: George Mazidian, Tom Aditya, Marie Hackett, Chris Steer, Graham Davey

Apologies: Mark Behard, Duncan Struthers, James Hackett

Possible Merger with BMFF

Graham reported that the survey of BIFG members had resulted in 16 being in favour of a merger with various names suggested for the new organisation.  One person had opposed the idea and one was undecided.  Marie, Tom and George all said they were opposed to a merger on the grounds that the aims and methods of the two bodies were too dissimilar for a combined organisation to work satisfactorily.  Chris pointed out that there were other faith communities in Bristol that neither BIFG nor BMFF was engaged with.

We concluded that any movement towards a united body would have to wait for several months at least.  During this time the newly elected officers of BMFF could settle into their roles and the position of BMFF within the Voice and Influence partnership of the City Council would be more clearly established.

Lord Mayor's Civic Inter-Faith Celebration

We identified the period 7 to 20 March 2019 as a period in which there were few significant religious festivals.  Graham said he would contact Pater Watts to fix a date when the Lord Mayor and the Conference Room at City Hall would be free.

Future Events

We agreed to hold a Midwinter Circle event in early February at the Unitarian Meeting House, Brunswick Square, with the theme 'Religion and Art'.  Faith communities would be invited to give presentations (preferably illustrated) showing pictures, designs, architecture etc. characteristic of their faith.  The evening would start at 7.00 p.m. and include a sharing supper.

Bristol Equality Charter

It was agreed that Graham should sign this on behalf of BIFG.

There being no other business, the meeting was closed.

BUDDHISM and HINDUISM

We held a discussion on Buddhism and Hinduism on 7 November, 2018. As it was the first day of Diwali no Hindu was available but

one of us studied the subject and gave a well-received mini-lecture. Buddhism was presented by one from SGI and the other from the Amitabha tradition.  Quakers and other Christians joined in the discussion.

MERGER?

During recent months discussions have taken place between BIFG and Bristol MultiFaith Forum (BMFF) with a view to a possible merger. Already BIFG does work that might be considered more the role of BMFF, and vice versa. However, BIFG members are anxious that its distinctive Inter - Faith role is not lost.

SLAVERY

We held a public meeting on Modern Slavery on 21st March. 2018
A report is not yet available.

ANNUAL CELEBRATION

The annual Lord Mayor's Multi-faith Celebration took place on 5th March 2018, and was well-attended.
We were back in the newly-refurbished City Hall.

There were two innovations this year. Firstly, it was organised and led jointly
by BIFG and Bristol Multi Faith Forum (BMFF). In all previous years this has been solely by BIFG.
As usual our Secretary, Graham Davey, did most of the organising. Tracey Lewis, Chair of BMFF introduced the presentations.

Secondly, instead of having many presentations by representatives of several faith groups this year we had only three such, and the programme included us splitting up into small groups to discuss the issues presented.

Notes of the Committee meeting held on 1 November 2017

Present: George Mazidian, Duncan Struthers, Bernard Omar, Graham Davey Apologies: Mark Behard, Chris Steer

We met in the cafe of the Barton Hill Settlement.
It was noisy at first but became satisfactory later as a meeting place for the four of us.

Past meeting:

Raja Ram Mohan Roy on 19th October 2017.
All agreed this had been an excellent meeting thanks to Carla Contractor's clear talk and answers to questions.

Notes of our meeting on 13th July 2017

Present: George Mazidian, Samina Aslam, Marie Hackett, James Hackett, Mark Behard,
Duncan Struthers, Graham Davey

Past events
A meeting of members of the BIFG committee and representatives of the Bristol Multi-Faith Forum (BMFF)
had taken place on 20 June and it had been agreed that the Lord Mayor's Civic IF Celebration
should be organised by a special group set up for that purpose and consisting of key members of
different faith communities who had had some connection with the Celebration in past years.
A number of names had been sent to Tracey Lewis, chair of BMFF but we were told that she was very
busy and had not had time to reply yet.

A useful open meeting had taken place at the Hindu Temple on 5th July where we were welcomed by
Panditji and watched or participated in the Aarti ceremony of honouring various gods.
This was followed by a prresentation by Panditji and answers to many questions concerning
lifestyle and Hinduism. The meeting deserved a much larger attendance than the 8 of us who were present.

A RESPONSE BY A PARISH TO THOSE IN NEED

Thursday 4th May, 2017 at 7.30 p.m. at the Assisi Centre, Lawford's Gate, BS5 0RE.
Fr. Richard McKay, priest in charge of St Nicholas of Tolentino Roman Catholic Church,
together with members of the parish, told the story of the support given to refugees, asylum seekers
and other marginalised people in recent years.
Sadly there was a poor turnout, with no no-Christian people attending.

Lord Mayor's Annual Inter Faith Celebration

On Thursday March 30, 2017 at the Civic Hall, College Green

The theme this year was "Inter-Faith Understanding and Co-operaion".

There was a reasonable attendance with several notable personalities present for the first time. These included The Lord Mayor Elect, who stated her intention to continue the celebration in 2018 once again at City Hall where there is space to mingle over refreshments. Others were The High Sheriff of Bristol and the deputy Lord Lieutenant for Bristol. It was also, we believe, the first time the Salvation Army has been involved in the Christian slot.
After an welcoming speech by The Rt. Hon. the Lord Mayor of Bristol, Councillor Jeff Lovell, there was the usual ceremony, "Lighting the Peace Candle".
Then there were presentations by five faith groups.
These were: Sufis: Amir Aslam and Asif Ali;
Sikhs: Parmjit Kaur;
The Salvtion Army: Major Ian Harris;
Jews: Rabbi Monique Mayer, of the Progressive Jewish Synagogue;
Baha'is: Some young representatives from the local Spiritual Assembly of the Baha'is of Bristol.

After the presentations the Lord Mayor's Chaplain, Rev. Harold Clarke offered a prayer for the weldfare of the City.
Finally the Lord Mayor gave a short appreciative speech to close the meeting.

Food!

On Tuesday January 24, 2017 at Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Cabot Circus BS2 9DB

The subject was the significance of food and certain foods in various religious traditions.

Mysticism
On Thursday 1st December 2016 at Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Cabot Circus BS2 9DB
We held a meeting on "Mysticism"
We discussed such questions as "Do you believe in a Divine being which has an absolute existence beyond and separate
from human imagination or in a force for goodness and creativity that pervades the whole universe?"

And "What is the role of prayer and worship in your faith community?"

Creation Stories

On Wednesday 21st September 2016 at Central Quaker Meeting House, Champion Square, Cabot Circus BS2 9DB
We discussed the Questions: In the tradition of your faith community what accounts have been given to explain the existence
of planet earth and the human race?
What do members believe now? What do members see as the purpose of human life?

A lively ediscussion was held. Sadly we had no Moslem or Sikh input, but we had a good account of Hindhu understandings.

Judgment

On Tuesday 25th October 2016 at The Unitarian Meeting House, Brunswick Square, BS2 8PE
We asked each other : Do you see your moral code as Divine law or as a set of principles that are the product of evolution?
Does everyone have a conscience? Do you believe in a form of continued existence after death?
If so, does this involve judgment?
How far do conscious wrong-doing get punished during life and good works get rewarded?

These weighty questions got a good airing. The SGI Buddhist understandings were well represented, as were some aspects of the Christian view.
Once again, however, we were disappointed not to have any Moslem, Sikh or Hindu representation.
We exist to share our understandings, so as to increase our knowledge and respect for each others' faith.
Odd as it may seem, dicussions with people of other faiths tends to strengthen one's own.

Tuesday 16 August 2016. The BIFG Committee met again at the Baha'i Centre, 8 Church Road

Present: Graham Davey, Stephen Petter, Mark Behard, Duncan Struthers and George Mazidian . Apologies for absence: Marie Hackett and Bernard Omar.

We agreed to hold public meetings on three further occasions this year.
21 September: Peace and Creation. 7 p.m. for 7.30 at Central Bristol Quaker Meeting House.
18 October: Judgement. 7 p.m. for 7.30 at the Unitarian Chapel
1 December : Angels and other mystical features of religions. 7 p.m. for 7.30 at Central Bristol Quaker Meeting House.

At all public meetings, refreshments will be available at 7 p.m.
Also 15 November: BIFG Committee meeting at 1030 at the Baha'i Centre

xx

Thursday 19 May 2016: Religion and Violence

BIFG held a public meeting on at the Quaker Meeting House in Central Bristol. About 30 people attended.

Three speakers presented views on the validity or otherwise of the assertion that religion causes violence.

Rev Tracey Lewis, of Henleaze United Reformed Church, and Chair of Bristol Multifaith Forum, argued that
human-kind is inherently violent, but that religion seeks to bring about peace and harmony.
However, people often used religion as a unifying force in their corporate acts of violence.

Don Cameron, better known as a world-famous balloonist, represented the Bristol Humanist Association.
He argued that while acknowledging what Tracey Lewis had said, religion was often a cause of vilolence,
such as when members of one religious persuasion massacre those they regrad as heretics.

David Leech, a lecturer in philosophy and religion at Bristol University, spoke of the problems of definition -
what exactly do we mean by 'violence' or by 'religion'. Does the latter include football?
He drew attention to all the major religions' ancient scriptures and showed them all to be full of violence,
apparently sanctionsed by God. He said this gave ample excuse for extremists today to justify their violence.

Questions and answers followed. The first was from a Buddhist who questioned David Leech's assertion that ALL religions
were violent. David agreed that Buddhissm could be regarded as an exception.

Many other questions and comments followed, and animated conversation continued after the meeting had been closed.

Thursday 12 May. The BIFG Committee met at the Baha'i Centre, 8 Church Road

Present: Graham Davey, Stephen Petter, Mark Behard, Duncan Struthers and George Mazidian (part time). Apologies for absence: Marie Hackett and Bernard Omar.

1. Does Religion Cause Violence? - public meeting to be held on 19 May
Arrangements were made for further publicity.�  We will bring clip-boards and will need help
in getting as many of the visitors as possible to supply their names and e-mail addresses.
Simple refreshments (tea, coffee and biscuits) will be available from 7 - we aim to finish at 9.30 p.m.

2. Future events
We hope to arrange another public meeting in late June or early July with the title "How my religion affects my everyday life" with speakers from several faith communities.�  Andrea Clark Ward to be involved.

3. Also a possible meeting about Ramadan to mark the end of the fast period on 5th July.

4. The committee would welcome ideas for an outside speaker on racial and inter-religious integration.

5.Date of next Committee meeting - Thursday 9th June at 10.00 a.m. at the Baha'i Centre, 8 Church Road, Lawrence Hill, BS5 9JA

The Unitarian Church on Brunswick Square was the venue of this double event.
First was the Annual General Meeting. Chaired by Bernard Omar, the annual reports were heard and accepted and the committee re-elected with additional members: Mark Behard, Chris Steer and Duncan Struthers.

After an interval during which good snacks were served, the meeting re-convened to hear Chris Steer give an illustrated talk on "Religious Music". We heard examples from: Sufis, other Moslems, Klezmer music, then c17 European choral music such as that by William Byrd. This was followed by a Hindu chant, then a Sihk raja. We finished with two examples from North America, a Christian Gospel choir and finally two examples of Native American music.

The Mayor's Chapel on College Green was again the venue of this annual event.
Plans to hold it in the Mansion House in Clifton had been abandoned due to problems of accessibility by public transport. The Mayor's Chapel is more convenient but is very mono-faith!
Perhaps next year we will be back in our usual home - The City Hall.

About 70 guests were welcomed by Bernard Omar, the Chair of Bristol Interfaith Group (BIFG) which organises the event on behalf of the formal host, the Lord Mayor.
After tea and animated discussion we settled down for the programme.

The Lord Mayor, The Right Honourable Councillor Clare Campion-Smith, gave the keynote speech in which she emphasised the importance of sustainability as a common aim of all faith communities.

Then came the candle-lighting ceremony, in which all faith representative present took part.
After this, representatives of each of the selected faiths gave a presentation. These were:

Muslims: Zaheer Shabir, Bristol Jamia Mosque;
Jews: Clare Sandler, Progressive Jewish Synagogue;
Buddhists: Kelsang Lamchen, Amitabha Centre;
Pagans: Caroline Perry, Bristol Pagan Moot;
Hindu: Panditji Kamlesh Vyas, from the Hindu Temple in Easton;
Christian: Rev Brian Woodcock, United Reformed Church;
Sikhs: from whom we had a sung presentation from Inderpal Kaur;
Baha'i:Spoken, then sung by Philip Cleasby.
Finally the Lord Mayor's Chaplain led those present in a universal prayer for the City of Bristol and then the Lord Mayor herself gave a short closing speech.

Marie Hackett took about 150 photos of the event. A selection of 25 of them can be seen on the "Album" page of this website

200 or more people came to the mosque to show solidarity to the congregation there, following a racist attack 7 days earlier. (4 people have been arrested.) After receiving many messages of support the Immam invited supported to "tea and coffee". The news spread via social media and far more came than had been expected. Speeches were made by leading religious and civic personalities, including the Mayor, George Ferguson, and representatives of Anglican, Baptist, and Methodist churches, the Anglican Bishop, and the leader of the Progressive Jewish synagogue in Easton, and also the local police superintendent.