CSI Archive
From the Committee
Central Scotland Interfaith entered a new phase on Saturday 12 December when our first AGM was held after the Pot Luck Lunch in St Xavier’s Church Hall, Falkirk.
Over the past year, monthly gatherings have been held in different homes over the region, mainly on a Sunday evening. There have also been meetings in public venues.
At the AGM a constitution was agreed and this will be sent to OSCR (Office of Scottish Charity Regulator) with a view to seeking Charity Status.
It was also agreed to vary both the days of monthly meetings and the venues – to include public venues, so as to hopefully appeal to more people.
The programme for the coming year will continue to have meetings in different parts of Central Scotland on the last Sunday evening of each month, alternating between public venues and private homes.
The Steering Group has been succeeded by a new committee: Dr Satwant Multani (Convener), Mr Jeremy Fox (Vice-Convener), Mr Andrew Sarle (Secretary), Mr ‘Iffy’ Ahmad (Treasurer) and Mrs Margaret Boland.
We would welcome your suggestions for Projects, Venues, Topics, and Speakers. Please pass on suggestions for developing your Central Scotland Interfaith (CSI) to any member of the committee.
It was also agreed at the AGM to ask those interested to become members of CSI. The annual subscription for 2010 has been set by the committee at £5 per person, although if you think that is too cheap you are welcome to give more. Until we are granted charitable status, subs should be paid in cash, and receipts will be issued by either the Secretary or Treasurer. To be eligible for membership you need to be resident, or associated with the area and be a member of a recognised faith community.
The committee propose initiating some new projects – with the additional outcome of a higher profile for us. Our initial suggestions include hosting a “hustings” meeting for the general election, and an environmental symposium in the Autumn. Also we plan to arrange visits to the Glasgow Central Gurudwara and Glasgow Reform Synagogue.
Events in 2009
Twelve people attended our inaugural AGM and lunch in Falkirk on December 12. A constitution was adopted and the steering group plus Margaret Boland elected as the first committee.
Several members were present at the Scottish Churches’ House “Meeting Points” evening on Dec. 4. The theme was “Festivals of Light” and included sharing experiences of Diwali and Chanukar.
A dozen members gathered in the home of Dr & Mrs Ishaq Abu-Arafeh in Stirling on November 22, for our regular “get-together“. After a splendid home-made Palestinian snack, members discussed some issues in advance of the AGM and talked about climate change initiatives.
Our One World Week Inter Faith Service on October 25 was very well attended. Over 50 people were present at Erskine Church in Falkirk, and joined in singing and praying together. Reflections were led by Ruth Cape, Carolyn and Jeremy Fox, Gordon Reid, Andrew Sarle and Christine Webster. Prayers were led by people from the Baha’i, Christian, Muslim and Sikh traditions. Musical accompaniment was provided by Bob Tait. Many thanks to Glendon Macaulay and the members of Erskine.
Sunday September 27 saw the largest gathering in Satwant Multani’s home. Over 30 people crowded in to hear Paul give a presentation about Global Peace Festivals, and plans for the One World Week Service were firmed up. CSI were pleased to be visited by a large contingent of Sikh brothers and sisters, some from Glasgow, and others from India.
CSI’s Last Sunday Get-together was held on Wednesday 29 July! The main topic of discussion was about some of the differences between Catholics and Protestants, which our Sikh convener found most interesting.
CSI were represented at the Scottish Inter Faith Council’s annual networking seminar in Glasgow on June 28. Satwant and Andrew took part in Maureen Sier’s presentation about local interfaith groups, and Christine was also present.
30 people were present at CSI’s second Public Meeting, generously hosted by Provost Pat Reid in Falkirk Council Chambers on June 4. Dr Maureen Sier and Dr Geoff Lachlan gave presentations on educational resources – Maureen on the DVD of Beyond Tolerance and Geoff spoke about the booklet Values in Harmony. For more information see www.freshlightfilms.com and www.acts-scotland.org/cairs/downloads/values_in_harmony.pdf
Sunday, March 31, saw nine members sharing food, conversation and sunshine in our secretary’s garden. An interesting discussion ensued after reading words spoken by Pope Benedict at an interreligious dialogue in which he took part in Jerusalem on May 11. In his address he included these pertinent words, “While the differences we explore in interreligious dialogue may at times appear as barriers, they need not overshadow the common sense of awe and respect for the universal, for the absolute and for truth, which impels religious peoples to converse with one another in the first place.”
At the April Get-together, held at the home of CSI treasurer Mr Iffy Hussein, we were joined by no less than three Imams, and lively discussions over a sumptuous feast ensued.
The Revs Stuart and Sally Fulton hosted the March Get-together in their Causewayhead home. The usual interesting discussions were not hampered by the lower turnout than usual.
The Visit to Otago Street Gurudwara, Glasgow on March 15 was very successful. 6 CSI members, joined by 7 folk from other parts of Scotland, were made most welcome, and enjoyed observing Sikh worship and sharing in langar (a communal meal).
The February “Last Sunday ” Get-together was held on Feb.22 at the home of CSI’s steering group convener, Dr Satwant Multani. Satwant welcomed 10 members of other faith communities into his home and after a Sikh prayer, explained the meaning and significance of the turban. The discussion that ensued covered a wide range of topics, including what happens when a child “marries out” of his or her parents’ religion.
The January “Last Sunday” spiritual conversation on Jan.25 was held in the home of Pat and Parveen Morrissey (in Stirling) of the Baha’i Community, and was a great success with fourteen eager participants. Parveen introduced some Baha’i prayers and spoke briefly about the Baha’i faith. The group then discussed a number of spiritual values common to different faiths in small groups.
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