A new interfaith project is being launched across Bath and North East Somerset with the aim of bringing a diverse range of groups and faith traditions together.
Run by the B&NES Faith Foundation, the initiative will see a variety of events and activities being organised across the district over the next 12 months.
The project has been made possible thanks to a £2,600 grant from the Spalding Trust – a UK-wide philanthropic organisation that for the past 100 years has been dedicated to promoting intercultural understanding by encouraging the study of comparative religion.
Director of the B&NES Faith Foundation, Nathan Hartley, said:
“We’re incredibly grateful to the Spalding Trust for their funding. It means we’re in a position to organise a whole year’s worth of interfaith events and initiatives – all with the central aim of building bridges amongst our local authority’s multiple faith traditions.
The new interfaith project hopes to reflect the growing diversity of our population here in Bath and North East Somerset.
As well as a large number of Christian churches, from at least 13 denominations, we have a large mosque in the centre of Bath and two Hindu temples. Followers of other faiths, such as Judaism and Buddhism, also meet regularly in various community halls for worship and fellowship.”
More details about how residents and faith groups can get involved will be released in April.
In the meantime, anyone interested can email the Bath & North East Somerset Faith Foundation at info@bathnesfaithfoundation.org.uk or visit www.facebook.com/BANESFaithFoundation
The Bath and North East Faith Foundation was established several years ago to:
• Support, encourage, and strengthen the work of faith groups across the district.
• Act as a conduit between faith groups and public bodies in ensuring they have a voice and have representation on issues that matter to them.
• Carry out research into socio-religious trends in Bath, Somerset and the wider area.
• Run community engagement projects with faith (and non-faith) groups
• Organise events that promote social inclusion, learning and understanding
