NATIONAL INTERFAITH WEEK 17-23 November 2013
The Mayor of Kendal Councillor Sylvia Emmott joined SLIF South Lakeland Interfaith Forum and SLEDP South Lakeland Equality and Diversity Partnership, for a celebration in Kendal Town Hall on Wednesday 20th November. Readings were given by the Mayor and local faith groups. Upasaka Sumedha John Gerrard read The Metta Sutta (The Discourse on Loving Kindness) in English, on behalf of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada). Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili read The Golden Rule, on behalf of KWMMG Kendal Women's Multifaith Meditation Group.
Rev Clive Pattinson, Chaplain of Penrith Hospital led a training session on minority faiths at Penrith hospital on Friday 22nd November. He was assisted by Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Secretary of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada).
SLEDP (South Lakeland Equality and Diversity Partnership) and SLIF (South Lakeland Interfaith Forum) presented Celebrating Our Faiths, on Saturday 23rd November. The meeting was held in the Westmorland shopping centre in Kendal. There were information stalls from local faith organisations and AWAZ. The organisers brought practitioners of many faiths and paths together to share their insights and practices and to learn from each other. Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Secretary of BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) was the SLEDP Lead for this event.
On Sunday 24th November Interfaith Sunday was celebrated at Kendal Unitarian Chapel. An Interfaith Service led by Rev John Hetherington SLIF South Lakeland Interfaith Forum Secretary, included readings and prayers from and representatives of local faith communities and faith organizations. SLIF Chair Baha’i Liz Grove and local Bahai’s sang. BGKT Buddhist Group of Kendal (Theravada) was represented by Jacquetta Gomes Bodhicarini Upasika Jayasili Secretary of BGKT.