This was demonstrated at the launch event that took place on November 12th at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre, Westminster. Accompanying the launch there was an exhibition including stands by each of the nine main faiths in Britain - the Christian stand was co-ordinated by Churches Together in England although I ensured that there were Methodist Church Inter Faith resources available - together with Regional Faith Forums and international, national, and local inter faith groups. Although I was representing the Methodist Church there were other Methodist inter faith practioners present including, for example Rev Gareth Jones, the Inter Faith Development Officer of the West Midlands Faith Forum and Rev Inderjit Bhogal, the Chief Executive of the Yorkshire and Humberside Faith Forum and a former President of the Methodist Conference.
During the launch event there were speeches by politicians from the three main parties, including John Denham, M.P. the Secretary of State at the DCLG. However the two highlights of the event were, first, a youth music group that fused Indian and western instruments. Listening to them playing transported me - and from comments made other people present - to a spiritual realm.
The second highlight was short speeches from young people representing the nine main faiths in Britain. The youngest was in year 11 at school and the oldest were university students.
One of the young people was Esther Harrison, who is a member of the Methodist Church. While all their speeches were very well received, with her permission, below are the words of Esther's speech.
Hello, I’m Esti Copeland-Harrison.
Out in the exhibition you will see information about the work of many inter faith organisations. I’ve been asked to speak from my own experience about why inter faith dialogue and friendship is so important.
I was brought up in the Methodist church circuit in Newcastle and have always been part of services in the area. Like many, it was during Sunday School that I first began to ask questions. From a young age I was fascinated with the ‘who’, ‘what’, ‘when’, ‘where’, ‘whys’ and ‘hows’ of the lessons we were taught there.The Girls Brigade (which is an international and interdenominational Christian youth organisation) seemed like a natural progression from Sunday School when I grew older, although my passion for asking questions had by no means diminished!
I have grown up as a practising Christian but from a very early age I have been embraced by the Jewish community. My mother has always been heavily involved with the Council of Christians and Jews and this has afforded regular interactions with the local Orthodox Jewish community. I celebrate Christmas and Easter but am also heavily involved in Chanukah and Pesach celebrations and greatly look forward to a Seder meal each year!
My favourite Jewish festival is Purim (which is, as it happens, the festival dedicated to Queen Esther!). This festival is the most fun of all the Jewish festivals, where all the congregation of the synagogue join in the service by dressing up, throwing sweets and shaking rattles at the mention of the name of Haman - "the baddy" in the Purim story.
The customs, traditions and beliefs of Judaism have not merely enhanced my own faith -- they have been invaluable in my understanding and contextualising of Christianity. It is very easy to forget that Christianity was born out of Judaism; Christ himself was a great Rabbi and prophet. A great amount of Christians (and others) may benefit from experiencing aspects of the Jewish faith. I am so grateful to my Jewish friends in Newcastle who have welcomed me to their homes, services and festivals and who have educated and inspired me.
For me, my own pilgrimage has not meant travelling to a Holy Temple or a journey to a Promised Land, but it has been through the people, the communities, friendships, customs and traditions of Judaism and Christianity that has ‘kindled a flame in my heart’. Next September I hope to be reading Theology at University and continue to enjoy a bilateral dialogue between Judaism and Christianity which will also encompass other World Faiths.
