NOVEMBER 2025
Forum on interfaith work (please find below details of the event which were put out before the event took place).
We currently live in a society that has become increasingly fractious with antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes at extremely high levels. Meeting together as an interfaith network feels all the more important. However, we need to explore what this means as a network and as individuals and to shape how we as an organisation might grow.
This forum gives us a chance to share our experiences of interfaith work and also to explore our aspirations for the future. The meeting will be highly participative with attendees seated in tables of eight to encourage discussion and interaction.
Issues which might be discussed include;
– Positive experiences of interfaith work. Attendees might wish to share how their own faith has been deepened or maybe developed in response to such work. Or they may wish to discuss how such work has strengthened their friendships across different communities. They might also touch upon how their curiosity about people and ideas has been stimulated. In relation to HERI they might wish to highlight any events which have been particularly satisfying.
– Aspirations for future interfaith work. Are there any hopes and expectations with respect to interfaith work which have not so far been met? From the perspective HERI are there any activities which are not currently done or not done often enough, or do you have ideas which you think might foster stronger relationships within our communities?
Please come and share your experiences, thoughts and hopes!
SEPTEMBER 2025
Visit to Sikh Temple
VISIT TO SIKH TEMPLE IN PARKFIELD AVENUE.
During the evening we had the chance:
– to spend time in the temple which was established over 30 years ago. We also heard about ongoing plans to construct a larger temple in Wheeler Street to meet the needs of a growing community
– to learn about the basic tenets and principles of Sikhism. We learnt about the centrality in Sikhism of recognising our share Humanity, and in terms of a way of life, an emphasis on practices (eg Meditation) to maintain calmness, and the importance of both sharing and hard work.
– to hear an example of the hymns which are used in worship.
If you wish to learn something about Sikhism the links below provide some basic information.
Information from the religion media centre
Information from archived BBC Material for Key Stage 2
JUNE 2025
Prayer meditation and mindfulness – what are they all about?(details put out before the meeting)
–insights from the practices and experiences of others with respect to praying, meditation and mindfulness.
Prayer, meditation and mindfulness play an important role in the religious and spiritual life of many. In this forum we attempt to gain an understanding of the differences and similarities in these various practices and explore whether we can learn from the experiences and insights of each other.
Some questions which might be addressed at this forum include:
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How prayer is used in different ways (eg praise, thanksgiving, petition)
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With whom or what we are trying to connect (eg A ‘higher power’, being at one with ourselves, being at one with the world around us)
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Are we emptying ourselves of distractions or allowing space to listen?
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Extent to which practices use pre existing words, instructions or artifacts (as against being spontaneous in nature and/or content)
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Duration and frequency of practice
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Individual as against collective practice
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Extent to which these are resources to encourage personal stillness and wellbeing
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Whether offers of prayer and meditation become intrusive or be used to manipulate.
The forum will begin with a short talk from each of a panel of four after which the discussion will be thrown open to the floor. We will invite each speaker to share any of their insights and experiences, including, if they so wish, a consideration of how their practice has changed over time.
The panel will be comprised of
Abid Salik – Imam at Berkeley Street Mosque
Martin Pliener – long term meditator and Secretary of HERI
Simon Cross – Minister of Hull area United Reform Church team churches
Speaker from Hull and East Riding Hindu Cultural Association.
As usual this formal meeting is at Hull Guildhall (HU1 2AA). It starts at 17.00 with refreshments, address begins at 17.30 and we aim to finish by 19.00. The meeting is free and all are welcome.
MARCH 2025 (details put out before the meeting)
Keynote address from Father William Massie and AGM – Tuesday, 4th March. Refreshments from 17.00 with the meeting proper starting at 17.30
Keynote address
Each year we invite a faith leader from our region to address one of our forums. They are given an open brief so they can choose what they wish to talk about. We are delighted that Father William Massie has agreed to give the address this year. Father William is the Catholic Chaplain at the University of
Hull and also serves as the Parish Priest at Our Lady of Lourdes and St Peter Chanel Parish in Hull. He has chosen as his title:
‘WHAT DOES POPE FRANCIS THINK HE’S DOING?
Pope Francis in his own words’
further details
POPE FRANCIS is held by Catholics to be the 266th Bishop of Rome, Vicar of Christ, Pope of the Roman Catholic Church. He has aroused praise and admiration from within the Catholic fold and from the global community beyond. Some say he is taking his Church in a direction radically different to his predecessors. Some welcome this. Some view this with concern and even fear.
‘What does Pope Francis think he is doing?’ This is not as impertinent as it sounds. It means to ask what does Pope Francis intend by his words and gestures. What has formed him and his outlook? What is new about his environmental concerns? Does he want to turn the Church into a democracy? What does he mean when he says the Church is for “Todos”, for everyone?
Fr William Massie has been a priest of the Diocese of Middlesbrough for over thirty years. He is currently Catholic Chaplain to Hull University and Parish Priest at Our Lady of Lourdes & St Peter Chanel on Cottingham Road.
Hull and East Riding Interfaith 