Part of the Thursday evening interfaith series Unity in Diversity.

This programme is building energy towards the landmark climate conference COP 26 with a number of evenings, including some Sunday evenings for led contemplation, reflecting on our relationship with the earth, and leading towards an interfaith prayer vigil to be held at the church throughout the conference itself. In this time of planetary crisis (but also emergence) there needs to be a coming together and sharing of all wisdom in a spirit of mutual compassion and love. All events are free, though donations most welcome – to be divided between the TransformSt Marys project and the charity Survival International, supporting indigenous peoples around the world currently under threat.

See the full list of Unity in Diversity events here: https://unity-in-diversity.mystrikingly.com/

Part of the Thursday evening interfaith series, Unity in Diversity.

Thursday Sept 30th : A WORLD EMBRACING VISION - BAHA’IS

Helen Babb will explore with us Unity in Diversity explored through the Baha’i teachings. The Baha’i teachings embrace the Oneness of all religions and people, and is founded from the Teachings of Baha’a’llah – first founded in 19th C in Iran.

This programme is building energy towards the landmark climate conference COP 26 with a number of evenings, including some Sunday evenings for led contemplation, reflecting on our relationship with the earth, and leading towards an interfaith prayer vigil to be held at the church throughout the conference itself. In this time of planetary crisis (but also emergence) there needs to be a coming together and sharing of all wisdom in a spirit of mutual compassion and love. All events are free, though donations most welcome – to be divided between the TransformSt Marys project and the charity Survival International, supporting indigenous peoples around the world currently under threat.

See the full list of Unity in Diversity events here: https://unity-in-diversity.mystrikingly.com/

Part of the Thursday evening interfaith series, Unity in Diversity.

Thursday Sept 23rd : AUTUMN EQUINOX CEREMONY

Join a local grove of Druids from the Order of Bards, Ovates and Druids in a celebration of the Autumn Equinox out in the churchyard at St Mary’s. OBOD, which was first established in the early 60s in England, is an ecumenical order whose teachings support not only “Pagan” or “Neo” Druids but Christian Druids, and many other faiths too. It can be interpreted as a philosophy of life.

Kit and the other Druids will be wearing their ceremonial robes and invite you all to join us in donning whatever is appropriate for this time of year in your own spiritual calendar or just dress comfortably. The grove will introduce you to our ways of honouring the natural world around us, the seasonal change as the wheel of the year turns and then take you on a guided meditation for peace and balance.

This programme is building energy towards the landmark climate conference COP 26 with a number of evenings, including some Sunday evenings for led contemplation, reflecting on our relationship with the earth, and leading towards an interfaith prayer vigil to be held at the church throughout the conference itself. In this time of planetary crisis (but also emergence) there needs to be a coming together and sharing of all wisdom in a spirit of mutual compassion and love. All events are free, though donations most welcome – to be divided between the Transform St Marys project and the charity Survival International, supporting indigenous peoples around the world currently under threat.

See the full list of Unity in Diversity events here: https://unity-in-diversity.mystrikingly.com/

Part of the Thursday evening interfaith series, Unity in Diversity.

Mothiur Rahman will offer some reflections on XR Muslims which he helped co-found, as well as reflections from taking part in the Coat of Hopes pilgrimage (which is walking across the length of the UK from Newhaven in Sussex to COP26 in Glasgow) and what he sees as a connection with the words of Ibn Arabi brought in by Revd Barlow (“whatever path Love’s caravan takes, that is my religion and my faith”) and a verse/ayah in the Qu’ran he has been reflecting on through XR Muslims with the guidance of his spiritual/Mevlevi Sufi teacher Kabir Helminski:

اٰمَنُوۡا وَ عَمِلُوا الصّٰلِحٰتِ
Amanu Wa Amilus Salihati

This is one of the most repeated lines in the Qu'ran and is central to a short but central Surah/Chapter of the Qu'ran, Surah Al Asr, which translates roughly as *"faith in hearts expressed through deeds that repair/reconcile". Mothiur will bring these aspects together in his invitation for reflection.

Mothiur is a Muslim and a seeker with the Mevlevi/Sufi tradition through the guidance of the Threshold Society held by Kabir Helminski.

This programme is building energy towards the landmark climate conference COP 26 with a number of evenings, including some Sunday evenings for led contemplation, reflecting on our relationship with the earth, and leading towards an interfaith prayer vigil to be held at the church throughout the conference itself. In this time of planetary crisis (but also emergence) there needs to be a coming together and sharing of all wisdom in a spirit of mutual compassion and love. All events are free, though donations most welcome – to be divided between the TransformSt Marys project and the charity Survival International, supporting indigenous peoples around the world currently under threat.

See the full list of Unity in Diversity events here: https://unity-in-diversity.mystrikingly.com/