The URC shares in the grief of the nations following the death of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II. Please use our reflections, prayers and suggested readings in your church or personal mourning and commemorations as we grieve the loss of the monarch ow.ly/7t2m50KENir

King Charles III: 'Whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you with loyalty, respect and love.’

Participated in a special #podcast episode reflecting on #TheQueen commitment to her own faith & achieving religious harmony across faiths. #KingCharlesIII pledges to continue this legacy: “whatever may be your background or beliefs, I shall endeavour to serve you..”#kingsspeech

King Charles and Religious Freedom theguardian.com/uk-news/2022/s…

This book includes his term as President of IARF, including an intensive visit to the United States

Happy to announce the appointment of Frans van Daele, as new Special Envoy for the promotion of freedom of religion or belief outside the EU. Committed to ensure that all faiths and beliefs are respected around the globe and to promote intercultural and interreligious dialogue.

Happy Bodhi Day to Buddhists will be marking Bodhi Day. Further information about festivals at: interfaith.org.uk/resources/reli… with thanks to Shap Working Party

Warm congratulations to those recognised in the New Year's Honours list for services including to #faith, #cohesion, #integration & #interfaith relations: Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis, Jasvir Singh ਜਸਵੀਰ جسویر जसवीर, Marie van der Zyl (Board of Deputies of British Jews), Jonathan Arkush, Usman Ali, Revd David Kale & Md Wakkas Khan.

Today is Omisoka, the Japanese New Year festival. Further information about festivals at: interfaith.org.uk/resources/reli… with thanks to Shap Working Party

Many condolences from the British Chapter to IARF Japan Chapter on the death of their long serving President Rev Norio Sakai RKUK (Rissho Kosei-kai of the UK)

It was a pleasure to share CSW's latest report, Belief and Belonging: indigenous identity and freedom of religion or belief, with stakeholders UKFoRBForum and UK FoRB Envoy today.

IARF British Chapter a member of the UKFoRBForum

Theos + Madeleine Pennington - as a former Christian Trustee of Inter Faith Network thank you for making this succinct + cogent argument about why UK government‘s apparent decision to defund the unique in Europe IFNetUk is retrograde, tragic and irresponsible ENORB + Annette Dittert 

The Inter Faith Network looks set to close in the next fortnight, because the government has withdrawn its funding. @Theos believes this is a bad move for community relations. Madeleine Pennington explains why.

I’ve really appreciated the work & support of the Inter Faith Network in my ministry particularly in work to bring diverse communities together but also in their support during hugely challenging/awful times & events. Inter faith network is never more needed and should be funded! #ifnetwork

As a founder member of the InterFaith Network we are shocked at the Government's decision to defund the Interfaith Network. This will adversely affect community relations in the UK

In my Baptist Tomes article I argue that the unique Inter Faith Network is in peril as a consequence of a new funding position apparently being taken by Secretary of State at Department for Levelling Up, Housing & Communities that can be seens as of concern to religious freedom + charitable governance baptist.org.uk/Articles/68322…

Shame on UK Government for this undermining of a unique in Europe Annette Dittert  body by at least apparently seeking to interfere in governance of Inter Faith Network, the remit of which has been to engage in inter-faith relations on the broadest possible basis as exactly needed right now

A truly retrograde decision which will directly impact on inter religious cooperation locally and nationally

Appalling decision which is not justified