'Race' and Racism - Killing the Conversation?

'Just So' is a publication of stories and ciritcal comment on social justice themes and is published jointly by two dioceses of the Church of England:  The Diocese of Worcester and the Diocese of Coventry.  John Hall has written Volumn 6 - May 2007 edition and it is titled  'Race' and Racism Killing the Conversation? 

For further information please contact: Ruth Wagstaffe email:  Ruth.Wagstaffe@covcofe.org

InterFaith Marriage Resource Pack

This pack is for you if: 

• You are in a relationship with someone of a different faith
• You want to know whether interfaith marriage can work
• You are looking for information and support

  InterFaith Marriage Resource Pack www.coventrydiocese.org/upload/file/Social Responsibility/Resource pack Final text.pdf

InterFaith and MultiFaith

Coventry Diocese takes seriously its role in peace and reconciliation and plays a key role in the diocese and region as well as internationally in building relations with and between the different faiths. In terms of religion, the diocese is diverse. Christianity being the largest religious group in most places, there being especially significant numbers of Hindus, Muslims and Sikhs as well as smaller numbers from a wide range of different groups.

1. Within Coventry and Warwickshire – there are a growing number of inter-faith and multi-faith groups: Coventry Multi-faith forum, Coventry Inter-faith group, Warwick district inter-faith group and Rugby Inter-faith group.
2. Within the West Midlands region – the diocese plays a key role in hosting the staff and providing the Secretariat for the West Midlands Faiths Forum (WMFF). John hall is Chair of WMFF and holds the faith council member seat on the West Midland Regional Assembly. Full details on what is happening within the region and in local groups can be found on the Wets Midlands faiths Forum website: www.wmfaithsforum.org.uk
3. The Bishop of Warwick’s Group – has a responsibility for inter-faith work in the Diocese and is meeting with a reference group.
4. The St Philip’s Inter-faith Centre, Leicester – offers courses at various levels and the Diocese works closely with the Centre. For further details and for information on courses: www.stphilipscentre.co.uk.

New 2007: Faithreach Project Officer

Angelina Jetson has recently taken up the role of Faithreach Project Officer with West Midlands Faiths Forum. Having worked in the voluntary sector in both a paid and voluntary capacity for over 10 years she has developed and delivered a variety of projects. These include establishing a rehabilitation service for adults with neurological conditions, carers groups, respite holidays for adults with disabilities and health forum.

From my experience it is essential that organisations strengthen their infrastructure and capacity to become empowered to participate fully and affect the decision making process in their locality and to obtain equal access to services.

In a voluntary role, Angelina acts as an advocate for a gentleman with cerebral palsy and assists a Thalassaemia project (genetic blood disorder) based in Sandwell.

I have also recently moved house.

New 2007: Associated project: Interfaith Development Worker

Gareth Jones is a minister in the Methodist Church, and for the last 8 years was full-time Methodist Chaplain to the University of Birmingham and Associate Minister at Selly Oak Methodist Church. During this time he was also chaplain to the national staff of the Student Christian Movement. He has been very involved in inter faith relations both within the university and in the wider community, being a member of the Birmingham Council of Faiths and having recently completed 5 years as chair of the Birmingham branch of the Council of Christians and Jews. Gareth writes: “I am nourished and inspired by the writings of all faiths, and as a university chaplain greatly appreciated the opportunity to join the different student faith societies for worship, prayer and fellowship.”

He also sits on the Methodist Church’s Interfaith Reference Group as Advisor on Multi-faith Chaplaincies, and in 2006 attended the annual Jewish-Christian-Muslim conference in Wuppertal. Gareth is married to Jean Allen, a school librarian. He lists among his interests music, art and poetry, Welsh rugby and the all-too-occasional game of snooker.