WIFF meeting held on Wednesday, June 12th 2019 – Minutes.

WIFF meeting held on Wednesday, June 12th 2019 – Minutes.

Present:

Yvonne Stollard (Chair;) Sarah Cottrill (Secretary); Adam Thorne (Treasurer); Pam Cuthbert; Mary Austin

Tom Piotrowski; Paul Edwards; Hansa Norman; Helen Caine; John Norman; Rebecca D

Apologies: Ian Spencer; Owain Bell; Malik Fayaz

  • Yvonne welcomed everybody and thanked Tom for arranging the venue. Tom took us   through safety/evacuation procedures.
  • Yvonne led us in a reflection based on the subject of justice, peace and truth and emphasising     that it not enough to pray for peace – we must also work for peace.

3   With one correction, concerning the University Conference date, acceptance of Minutes from the previous meeting was proposed by Adam and seconded by Mary.

4 Matters Arising and notification of Any Other Business.

  • The website needs updating. Sarah to ask Jnanamati to let us know if he is still prepared to look after this for us. Depending on his answer, he will be asked to update it or we will need to find somebody to take over this role.
  • Mary asked if people attending events she is not at, would send her reports and photographs which she can then put on FaceBook.
  • Mary reported that the Policy Document is being dealt with.
  • Rebecca gave an update on the Beacon Boxes which are proving to be a valuable resource.

 

5 Finance

Adam Thorne circulated the latest statement, from February which showed an unpresented cheque for Jnanamati.

Members don’t pay an annual subscription but Adam, Yvonne and Sarah are due to meet to discuss how monies are raised and accounted for.

6 Holland House Events

(a)Interfaith Festival The house will be open for people to set up from 11.00 with the scheduled programme running from 2.00 People were asked to contact Ian if they had any particular needs or requirements.

It was noted that there are at least one other significant event (Amnesty Refugee Group) happening on the same day.

 

(b) Faith and Social Issues Day. Of the two topics suggested at the previous meeting – Youth and faith or faith and climate change, Ian sent a message stating a preference for the latter and this was agreed. Suggested speakers to invite were Katie Boom, Ellie Lengthorn and Rev Peter Greenwood.

Yvonne, Mary, Adam and Sarah will meet with Ian to begin preparations for this.

 

(c)Another day similar to one held in March this year, was proposed for March 2020. This year’s day looked at Jewish and Sikh festivals/customs and it was suggested next year’s might focus on the Hindu harvest festival. Ian to be asked for a date during the week beginning 9th March.

 

  • Current Projects

(a)Holocaust Memorial Day. Yvonne repeated her willingness to be involved but not to lead this event next year. Helen Caine said she would lead and Tom Piotrowski offered to help. Mary Austin said she would confirm a date with the Mayor’s Office. (N.B Since the meeting, this has been arranged for the morning of Monday, January 27th. Precise time to be confirmed).

 

(b) 6TH Form Conference. Rebecca thanked members who are going to help with this event on June 14th. Sikh, Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Baha’i and Humanist faith communities will be represented with 180 students and approx. 45 staff members booked to attend. The first half hour is to be given over to students discussing with the different faith representatives the question: “If there is no reward and no punishment, what’s the point in being good?” After this, there will be sixteen seminars with key not speakers examining the themes of evil and suffering.

 

(c)Cricnic on July 14th – an interfaith afternoon of cricket and a picnic from 1.00 onwards. Being organised by the Jewish community. Please contact Yvonne for more details.

 

(d)Beacon boxes. Rebecca reported that these collections of faith related artefacts are already proving a greatly valued resource for schools. She has completed boxes for the Buddhist, Jewish and Muslim faiths and Mary is working on a Christian box. Sikh and Hindu boxes are still required, although Mary said she thought a Hindu box was being worked on.

 

  • Mary reported that she is on the forum planning Hate Crime Awareness Week to be held from 12th – 19th This is to be a running agenda item.
  • Mitzvah Day – November 24th. A Jewish led day on social action takes place from 2.00 – 4.00 in Redditch

 

  • Address given by Tom.

Tom Piotrowski spoke to us about the work of Fortis. The group, now merged with Platform, provides 45,000 affordable homes and employs 1200 people. Although they cannot be selective as regards the tenants they house, as a company, Fortis try to be inclusive and to work with other organizations to combat social issues and to recognise the value of all people, regardless of race, colour, creed etc.

In particular, Tom highlighted two events – an Ethnic picnic at Cripplegate Park on July 6th and the Civic Srebrenica Memorial Event : Confronting Hate on July 9th.

 

  • Dates of future meetings were set as 19th September and 26th November with a possible venue of the Methodist Church and a possible leader in reflection to be Israel. both to be confirmed.