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In the UK today, we live in the conscious presence of religious diversity. Many congregations and members are located just a stone throw away from mosques, gurdwaras, Hindu temples, synagogues and viharas.

In their local communities, some members of our churches will be in daily contact with colleagues and neighbours of different faiths, and many have friendships across faith traditions.

Within its Faith in Action department is the URC’s ecumenical and inter faith relations team. Building positive relationships with people from all the faiths is an important part of our mission together.

Rooted in the experience of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, these resources equip churches to engage confidently in interfaith dialogue within today鈥檚 diverse communities.

At a time of growing tension and division, they highlight the power of honest, respectful conversation to deepen understanding, strengthen relationships, and serve the common good.

Designed for Christians looking to start or develop interfaith work, this toolkit offers practical, faith-shaped guidance to help turn conversation into meaningful action.

• Inter Faith Toolkit Training Programme Flyer (PDF | 841kb)
• Reaching Out in Love: From Christian Unity to Interreligious Dialogue (PDF | 3mb)

Welcome to the beating heart of the United Reformed Church’s Inter Faith Enabling Group. We are delighted to share our exciting vision of what happens when we step beyond our doors and truly encounter our neighbour.

In a world that highlights division, inter faith dialogue is not a polite extra. Inter faith encounters are a necessity. They exercise of our faith in Jesus in profound ways.

Consider the Syrophoenician woman (Mark 7:24-30). Jesus didn’t turn away from this ‘outsider’. Jesus listened, engaged, and marvelled at her faith. If Christ himself crossed boundaries and allowed his own understanding to expand through encounter with a person of another tradition, how much more should we? Dialogue doesn’t weaken our witness, but rather deepens it. Inter faith dialogue reveals God’s image in unexpected ways. It teaches us that hospitality is the first language of the Gospel.

Your work around engaging through inter faith dialogue also contributes towards social cohesion. In our diverse towns and cities, trust is built one conversation at a time. By sharing meals, asking honest questions, and standing together for justice, we weave stronger, kinder communities where no one is a stranger.

The Inter Faith Enabling Group is here to resource, inspire, and connect you. Whether you are beginning a conversation down the street or looking to transform your whole church’s outlook, give us a call. Let’s move beyond fear and towards hope, together.

For more information, please contact: [email protected]

Inter Faith week will usually begin on Remembrance Sunday, and run until the following Sunday. The additional Sunday is intended to provide the opportunity for other weekend events to take place as well as those linked to Remembrance Sunday. It is a programme of the Inter Faith Network, of which the URC is a member. The aims of this specially designated week are to:

• strengthen good inter faith relations at all levels in our increasingly diverse society;
• encourage local faith groups and communities to reach out to each other and build stronger bonds of understanding and cooperation;
• increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK, with a particular focus on the contribution which their members make to their neighbourhoods and to wider society;
• increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs and;
• encourage the development of new partnerships within local communities and by faith communities with statutory and third sector partners.

Information about the week can be found at (for England and Wales) and (for Scotland).

The Interfaith Fund (originally known as the 鈥楯ewish Fund鈥�) was established to support Jewish/Christian relations in the East End of London. Many URC ministers and members have benefitted from the fund to support visits to Israel/Palestine. During 2016, work was done by the URC Trust and with the Charity Commissioners to bring the fund up to date, recognising that the interfaith environment is now very different. As a result, the remit of the fund was expanded, with the following aim: 鈥淭he promotion of contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, in ways consonant with the beliefs and practices of the United Reformed Church鈥�.

Applications

Groups and individuals who may apply to the fund are:

• Individual churches seeking to promote contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities in their own local community
• Ministers of Word and Sacraments, Church Related Community Workers, and others in leadership of local URC churches who are seeking support for personal study and reflection that will facilitate the promotion of contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, particularly in their local area.
• Organisations that have links to United Reformed Churches working in their local communities to promote contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, in ways consonant with the beliefs and practices of the United Reformed Church.
• National organisations where the United Reformed Church has representation and which are seeking to promote contact, understanding and respect among Christians, Jews and members of other faith communities, in ways consonant with the beliefs and practices of the United Reformed Church.
• Exceptionally, consideration will be given to applications received from global or regional Christian organisations on which the United Reformed Church has representation.

Please email Suzanne Pearson for an application form.

In an increasingly diverse society, local churches are often approached by other faith communities seeking premises where they can hold worship or events. The URC last issued guidance about how a local church might host another faith community back in 1974.

It seemed very appropriate therefore to provide more up to date advice. Working with Baptist interfaith colleagues, the URC has produced a brand new booklet for local churches entitled, 鈥楾he use of church buildings by people of other faith communities鈥�. The document gives helpful pointers to assist churches as they discern whether such hospitality would work in their particular context.

Download the booklet

• The use of church buildings by people of other faith communities (PDF | 6mb)

Kairos Palestine have launched their renewed Kairos document: A Moment of Truth: Faith in a Time of Genocide, calling us to greater costly solidarity with the Palestinian people. Download the document below:

• Kairos Palestine – The Palestine Christian Initiative (PDF | 267kb)

This resource invites congregations into a sacred dialogue with the Kairos Palestine II document鈥攁 living confession born from the heart of Palestinian Christian suffering. Download the document below:

• A Congregational Study Guide (PDF | 10mb)

Israel and Palestine

Reports, reflections, exbibitions and events focussing on the region

Holocaust Memorial Day

Reflections and prayers to mark Holocaust Memorial Day

Resources

For inter faith resources, websites and further reading suggestions