URC Church House provided the venue for the formal launch of this year’s Inter Faith Week in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, which runs from 12 to 19 November, as does Scottish Inter Faith Week.  

More than thirty members of the Inter Faith Network’s Faith Communities Forum, gathered to share news and events with one another, as well as swap information about faith and community related initiatives.

The group also reflected on the key message of Inter Faith Week; that inter faith co-operation and understanding is vital in an increasingly diverse society.

Speaking of the importance of the special week, the Revd Philip Brooks, Secretary for Ecumenical and Interfaith Relations for the URC, said: ‘Inter Faith Week helps strengthen relationships and gives many people the opportunity to experience perhaps their very first inter faith encounter. This year, Inter Faith Week began on Remembrance Sunday, with people of different backgrounds being encouraged to mark this by remembering the service of soldiers and civilians of many faiths.’

At the end of their afternoon meeting, members of the group expressed their support for the launch of Inter Faith Week as a group photograph was taken in the foyer of Church House.

Philip continued: ‘It was a delighted to host the launch this year alongside the meeting of the Faith Communities Forum. Inter Faith Week is a wonderful time to celebrate and build on the good relationships that exist between faith communities, so much of which takes place at local level. ‘Whether that is through shared conversations and prayers, visiting different places of worship or perhaps simply eating together, it is so important that we meet as friends across many faith traditions.’

To celebrate Inter Faith Week, there is a variety of events taking place up and down the country. To find out what’s happening near you, visit their website.