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Westminster Interfaith Newsletter
Issue 66 – May 2010
25th annual multi-faith pilgrimage for peace, Saturday 5th June
It's that time of year again, when we ask you to sign up for this annual event. This year, we have decided to visit people and places that are particularly important to the existence of the pilgrimage as well as 'new' places of worship both North and South of the River Thames. We also felt that it would be beneficial to spend more time in some places and have a greater experience of community worship, which will take place at the West London Synagogue near Marble Arch. We shall be the guests of the British Jewish community taking part in a Shabbat service; a rare privilege. Usually our pilgrimage takes place on a Saturday and it has not been possible to visit a synagogue large enough to accommodate us.
On this, our Silver Jubilee, we would like to commemorate in a special way: Br. Daniel Faivre, who started the multi-faith pilgrimage for peace; Cardinal George Basil Hume, who was instrumental in setting up Westminster Interfaith; and the Peace Pagoda, which we visited on the very first pilgrimage and which is also celebrating its Silver Jubilee this year. The Nipponzan Myöhöji Buddhist community has taken part in the Peace pilgrimage every year, headed by the Venerable G. Nagase. To a great extent, it was the inauguration of the Pagoda, which inspired Br Daniel to launch the annual London-wide multi-faith Peace Pilgrimage.
We shall start the day from Westminster Cathedral, (which celebrates the centenary of its consecration on June 28th this year). Archbishop Vincent Nichols will celebrate Mass for the pilgrims at 9am. He will then lead prayers at the tomb of Cardinal George Basil Hume, who died 10 years ago on June 17 1999. We were hoping to have a multi-faith service last year to remember the Cardinal but could not for a variety of reasons, so we thought we would include him in a special way on the pilgrimage.
We shall then travel to Marble Arch, by public transport, to the West London Synagogue, where we have been invited to take part in their Shabbat service at which a young man will be celebrating his Bar Mitzvah. The service, which can last nearly one hour and a half, will be mainly in English with some songs and readings in Hebrew. We shall be accommodated in what used to be the women's section, upstairs, from where there is an excellent view of the service. Men and women need to have their heads covered, so please bring suitable headwear: hats for men, scarves for women, although there will be some kippahs available for men. Understandably, there will also be a security system to go through. If you have never been to a Shabbat service, you will be pleased to note how much of the Christian liturgy is based on Jewish practice. We have also been invited to use one of the rooms at the synagogue for lunch, which will be provided as usual by the Sikh community of Sachkhand Nanak Dham International. They have come down from Birmingham every year and served us faithfully every year with an abundance of tasty food. We are very grateful for their generosity and commitment.
After lunch, we shall travel by bus, crossing the River Thames, to Battersea Park and visit the Peace Pagoda, where we shall give thanks and offer prayers for peace. Then, still using public transport, we shall proceed to Southfields, in the Borough of Wandsworth, to visit the London Mosque, where we shall be the guests of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community. From there, we shall walk a short distance to the South London Gurdwara, where we are expected for tea by the Sikh community there. If there is time, for those who wish, we shall go to visit the grave of Brother Daniel, who is buried nearby at Wandsworth Cemetery in Magdalen Road.
It is an ambitious undertaking, involving a fair amount of travel by public transport, from one place to another. London is a big city. It is not always possible to visit a variety of places within walking distance. Nevertheless, the pilgrimage offers a great opportunity to meet old and new friends of different faiths, take part in prayer and worship and, most importantly, witness to our commitment to world peace, demonstrating that religious faith is a cause for unity not division. This is one of the main aims of the pilgrimage. Please tell your friends and make a booking. We need to know numbers for catering purposes. We look forward to seeing you.
Jon
