interfaith
My new role has shown me the immense value of ecumenical and interfaith work within the community.
Additional roles working in clergy wellbeing, interfaith work, Diocesan Synod, and as a school governor.
My ministry journey has taken me from Careforce volunteer in Ayr, Scotland, to Lay Minister and Youth and Community Development Worker in Emmanuel church Southall, to curacy in rural Birmingham, to chaplaincy at City YMCA London and interfaith education in Southall.
I am also Rural Dean of Greater Northampton, a Church of England nominee to Northamptonshire SACRE, a trustee of Northampton Interfaith Forum, and County Padre of Northamptonshire Royal British Legion.
Following this year's interfaith walk, I meet with the local Lectio community at St. Vincent's catholic church, for Friday evenings full of prayer & community.
I am learning and benefitting from participation in the Milton Keynes Interfaith Forum, where listening to the experience of people from different faith traditions has helped me reflect on my own.
Formerly member of Diocesan Interfaith Working Group; Diocesan Theological Group for the Decade of Evangelism; member of Advisory Council for Parish Mission and Development; Diocesan Evangelical Fellowship to 1997; Pudsey Community Involvement Team; Outer West Area Committee (Leeds City Council); Revision Committee for Clergy Terms of Service (Common Tenure); secretary to
• Interests include homelessness, social justice and interfaith work
cohesion through interfaith work.
In depth insight into ecumenical and interfaith matters, having ministered in other denominations prior to ordination, and working in interfaith dialogue and scriptural reasoning for over a decade.
I have tried to work in this way through parish and deanery synods, preaching and teaching, 25 years on a SACRE and in interfaith work, campaigning and public life, and more recent research into difficult questions facing Church and society.
Recent work has led me to examine questions including creation and the environment, interfaith relations, and the General Synod debate concerning Palestinian Christian voices.
In my present role, my ongoing engagement in interfaith and intercultural mission, equity, diversity and inclusion, racial justice, children and young people’s ministry, and witness among communities on the margins would enrich my contribution to the life of the Church.
Intercultural and interfaith engagement: helping the Church develop in relationships of trust, hospitality, peace, and reconciliation in diverse communities.
My extended family follow other faiths which gives me a valuable insight into the importance of interfaith dialogue and religious freedom.
I am active in ecumenical relationships through Churches Together in Huddersfield, which I currently Chair, and Interfaith relationships through my involvement in the establishment and development of South Kirklees Interfaith and Belief Forum.
In terms of specialisms, I am interested in interfaith dialogue, what I believe to be a key area for the building of national unity.
Interfaith dialogue is not in the best health, not at least since the closing of the UK’s Interfaith Network, nor after the tragedies that have unfolded in Gaza since October 2023.
Interfaith dialogue needs to be reinvigorated.
Ecumenism and Interfaith: We are all God’s children and we must live in faith and harmony.
I have enabled this work through the NHS and found interfaith is much about humanity through respect for each other.
Seconded: Rev Canon Jenny Ramsden, Interfaith Adviser
I have been involved in interfaith relations locally and nationally, as diocesan delegate to the Church of England Interfaith Advisors network, when Area Dean of Middlesbrough.
For over two decades I have served as parish priest, chaplain, and Canon, with a heart for urban ministry, interfaith friendship, and serving communities where the Church is most needed.
Working now as a community conflict mediator specialising in intercultural and interfaith relations.
I have an interest in interfaith work; my partner is a trainee rabbi, so I have a lot of experience of Bible study and worship from very different viewpoints.
I also attend the Cambridge Interfaith Connection group, which works towards a greater understanding between people of different faith traditions.
My interfaith experience allows me to have a better understanding of people with differing worship styles and theological positions.
Oxfordshire, Oxford Institute for Christian Counselling, Christian Aid; Oasis of Peace (Chair), Peace Roots (Chair), International Interfaith Centre at Oxford (current Treasurer) and Marston Trustees etc.
In more recent years I have also been keen to develop our interfaith networks, especially in the city.
I seek to ensure that the church embodies the priesthood of all believers and is committed to the flourishing of all vocations I have been an active member of General Synod and have been called to speak in debates on a wide I have been an active member of General Synod and have been called to speak in debates on a wide range of topics, including estates ministry, pastoral care of those experiencing the loss of babies, working class vocations, the effects of misogyny in the church and the impact of the current war in Gaza on interfaith relationships That experience has helped me understand how Synod works, how decisions are shaped, and how important it is for clergy voices from across the diocese to be heard clearly and respectfully.
INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS
INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS – In the words of Giles Fraser, I am “theologically bilingual”, having grown up in a dual-faith family.
That experience has given me a strong commitment to building respectful, honest and mutually enriching interfaith relationships.
I feel the church should speak into issues such as the cost of living, human dignity, peace rather than war, interfaith understanding and welcome for refugees and migrants.
During that time I was much involved in interfaith work and church planting work in the city, as well the implementation of Bradford’s Strategic Development Fund process.
• Co-ordinating an Interfaith group in Todmorden which brings together people of all faiths and none
I have been in the Diocese of Birmingham most of my adult life, arriving in 2009 as a theology graduate to work for The Feast, doing interfaith work with young people.
Since curacy I have continued to support the diocese in interfaith work, working closely with Canon Dr Andrew Smith, whose work through The Feast first bought me to the region.
Having worked across traditions and in interfaith I am able to sit with difference whilst holding my own convictions and sharing them with respect.