Newsletter of York Interfaith Group

August 2019

August is holiday time to most people A reminder from July about how the word for our holiday time and rest time actually comes from the same source as that of Holy days. There are holiday times from all over the world and from several religious traditions that are celebrated during the summer months of the year (as well as all year around of course). For more details see the July newsletter and look at the different faith festivals for this month.

We hope that you celebrate World Friendship Day on 30th July and have fun whatever you do. Many faith groups around the county have events to celebrate this day so check them out.

We also hope that if you are a Yorkshire person, someone living in York at the moment or living anywhere in Yorkshire that you celebrate YORKSHIRE DAY on 1st August. This tradition was started in 1975 by the Yorkshire Ridings Society in response to the Government reorganisation of county boundaries in 1974 and has been celebrated ever since. There will be lots of activities and special events going on so do check them out near where you are.

Fly the flag for Yorkshire Day on 1st August

Faith celebrations or festivals this month

1 August (Thursday) LAMMAS/LUGHNASADH Wiccan LUGHNASADH PaganLughnasadh, also called Lammas, is the time of the corn harvest, when Pagans reap those things they have sown and when they celebrate the fruits of Nature. At Lughnasadh, Pagans give thanks for the bounty of the Goddess as Queen of the Land.

   

3 August (Saturday) to 12 August (Wednesday) - 1st to 10th DHUL-HIJJAH MuslimFor Muslims the first 10 days of the month of Dhul-Hijjah are held to be especially holy when good deeds are rewarded by God. These days include allotted days for the performance of the Hajj (pilgrimage) and 1st day of Eid-ul-Adha (the feast of sacrifice).

   

6 August (Tuesday) THE TRANSFIGURATION ChristianThis festival commemorates the occasion when Jesus went up a mountain with 3 of his disciples, Peter, James and John, who saw his face change and his clothes become dazzling white. They witnessed him in conversation with Moses and Elijah, and heard a voice saying, ‘This is my own dear Son with whom I am pleased – listen to him’. For many Christians this confirms the divine nature of Jesus.

   

10 August (Saturday) to 14 August (Wednesday) HAJJ / PILGRIMAGE TO MAKKAH (8th to 12th Dhul-Hijjah) MuslimAll Muslims who can afford it, and are not prevented through ill-health, are required to make this pilgrimage once in their lifetime (although there is no prohibition on making the pilgrimage more than once). A series of

ritual acts are performed by the pilgrims during the first two days of Hajj. On 11th August, all who are on the Hajj spend the day in prayer on Mount Arafat to commemorate the end of the revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet. Those not on Hajj are expected to pray and fast on this day.

   

11 August (Sunday) TISHA B'AV JewishFull day fast mourning the destruction of the first and second Temples in Jerusalem and other tragedies in Jewish history. The Book of Lamentations is read.

   

12 August (Monday) - 16 August (Friday) EID-UL-ADHA / THE FESTIVAL OF SACRIFICE (10th Dhul-Hijjah) MuslimThis major festival (al-Eid al-Kabir) commemorates Ibrahim’s (Abraham’s) willingness to sacrifice his son, Ismail. Muslims worldwide sacrifice an animal if they can afford it.  The meat is given to the poor, the rest shared with relatives & friends.

   

14 August (Wednesday) RAKSHA BANDHAN HinduRaksha means ‘protection’ and bandhan means ‘to tie’.   Girls and married women in families of a north Indian background tie a rakhi (amulet) on the right wrists of their brothers, wishing them protection from evil influences of various kinds.

   

15 August (Thursday) FESTIVAL OF HUNGRY GHOSTS/ ZHONGQIUJIE / CHUNG CH’IU ChineseChinese Buddhist and ancestral festival, when paper objects for use in the spirit world are made and offered to aid those spirits who have no resting place or descendants. Large paper boats are burnt at temples to help spirits cross the sea of torment to Nirvana.

   

15 August (Thursday) ASSUMPTION (DORMITION) OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Christian (Roman Catholic & Anglican)This celebrates the ‘taking up’ of Mary, body and soul, to heaven. Many Catholic communities mark the festival of the Assumption with processions and fêtes.

   

19 August (Mondy) THE TRANSFIGURATION ChristianFor Orthodox Christians this is an especially important festival, pointing to Christ as both human and divine. Although Moses and Elijah had died centuries before, they could both live again in the presence of the Son of God, implying that a similar return to life can apply to all facing death. Matthew 17:1-17, Mark 9:2-13 and Luke 9:28-36.

   

20 August (Tuesday) THE FESTIVAL OF THE POOL / EID UL GHADEER Muslim (Shi‘a)This is a festival observed by Shi‘a Muslims, for whom it is an extremely important day. It commemorates an event shortly before the death of the Prophet and his announcement concerning Ali, which they understand to be his clear appointment to be successor to the prophet as the spiritual and temporal leader of Islam.

   

23 August (Friday) JANMASHTAMI / KRISHNA JAYANTI  HinduBirthday of Krishna and a widely celebrated festival.. Many Hindus fast till midnight, the time of Krishna’s birth.  Those unable to fast will have fruit and milk. In the temples Krishna is welcomed with singing, dancing and sweets.  In some homes and temples an image of the new-born Krishna is put in a cradle.  Krishna is a very popular avatar or incarnation of Vishnu

   

27 August to September 3 (Tuesday) PARYUSHAN PARVA BEGINS JainThese are eight days of purification, devoted to study, prayer, meditation and fasting, and ending with a period of confession and forgiveness. Often monks will be invited to give teachings from the Jain scriptures. Paryushana means ‘to stay in one place’, which signifies a time of reflection and repentance. Originally the practice was monastic for the most part

28 August (Wednesday) THE DORMITION OF THE MOTHER OF GOD Christian (Eastern Orthodox, Julian Calendar)On this day, Eastern Orthodox Christians commemorate the passing of Mary, Mother of Christ, in the presence of the Apostles. The apostles buried Mary at Gethsemane, where Jesus had also been buried; but on the third day after the burial, when they were eating together, Mary appeared to them, saying "Rejoice".  When the apostles went to the grave, her body was gone, leaving a sweet fragrance.  This event conveys the idea of death as ‘falling asleep’ (this is what ‘dormition’ means), to be followed by eventual resurrection.

Please remember to let us know about any special festivals being celebrated by your faith group so that we can include them in our newsletters.

News & Information from York Interfaith Group

OUR VISIT TO GURU NANAK NISHKAM SEWAK JATHA (GNNSJ) GURDWARA, LEEDS

02 JULY 2019

The GNNSJ Leeds Gurdwara was established in December 1986 following purchase of the former Ringtons Tea Factory. GURU NANAK NISHKAM SEWAK JATHA itself means, “Members performing selfless service belonging to Guru Nanak.” A Gurdwara is a place of

assembly and worship for Sikhs. People from all faiths, and those who do not profess any faith, are welcomed in Sikh Gurdwaras.

Members of York Interfaith Group and York St John University were received on arrival by Sardar Gurmukh Singh, Gurdwara volunteer (Sewadar), who made us very welcome. The evening started with refreshments followed by moving in to the prayer hall. We observed and listened to closing recital of rehras path, kirtan sohila (evening or night prayer in Sikhism. Its name means 'Song of Praise'. It is composed of five hymns or shabad, the first three by Guru Nanak Dev, the fourth by Guru Ram Das and the fifth by Guru Arjan Dev) and Sukhasan (a process by which the holy scriptures, the Guru Granth Sahib, is laid to rest in a special bed-room called a "Sachkhand")

The Priest (Granthi) sang shabads (hymns) which were followed by a short video presented by the Gurdwara which highlighted some of the activities that take place. These included activities for senior citizens, music and language for adults and children. The video also highlighted equality, seva (selfless service), langar (free kitchen).

The President of the Gurdwara gave a short talk on being part of a wider Sikh community, promoting equality and encouraging younger generation to become involved. Sardar Gurmukh Singh spoke about the ‘5 K’s’ – Kirpan (ceremonial dagger), Kanga (comb), Kachera (shorts), Kesh (uncut hair), Kara (steel bangle) and the significance of each for a Sikh in modern day living. The session ended with questions and answers which was followed by Langar (communal food) served to all.

We thank Guru Nanak Nishkam Sewak Jatha (GNNSJ) Gurdwara, Leeds, for making us so welcome and more knowledgeable. Special thanks to York St John University for providing transport from York to Leeds. Article by Suki K Matharu

Next YIG Meeting

The next meeting in the Hudson Room at the City of York Council, West Offices will be on August 6th at 7.30pm. This is our Annual Planning Meeting where we discuss ideas for York Interfaith Week in November and also put forward ideas for the YIG 2020 programme. If

you have ideas that you want to be considered during either of these two programmes please do join us from 7.30 onwards. We are also going to be sharing some simple vegetarian finger food during the evening, so please do bring something along to share with others. Please note that there are no kitchen facilities at the venue and also no cutlery hence the need for it to be ‘finger food’ only. If for any reason you can’t attend then please send your thoughts and ideas to someone who is going along so that they can be included.

Events in York this month

Kith of the Earthen Star Hold their August Moot, on Monday August 12th, upstairs in The Black Swan, Peasholme Green, York, gather from 7pm for a 7.30 start. Their guest is that weaver of strands of the human imagination, teller of tales extraordinaire from Leeds: STING WRAY, who will regale the group with talk of Celts and crafts, ley lines and lovers, myths and magic!

There is also this invitation from the Malton group to join them for their Lammas celebration

York Buddhist Network has now had two eco dharma events that they have organised and they have been very enjoyable - a lovely way to connect with people while doing interesting and helpful activities for the environment. They're planning to continue organising an event a month and will review how it’s all going in a few months. Suggestions of new ideas and activities very welcome!

The event for August is on Thursday 15th August 6-30pm - 8-pm working on one of the beck's near St Nicks. For more details follow this link and please sign up for it with St Nicks so that you can get up to date information on which beck to go to (all of them are close to St Nicks).

https://stnicks.org.uk/get-inspired/events/st-nicks-evening-conservation-group-2019-08-15/

Selby Abbey Recitals

Please see the advert below for the organ recitals at Selby Abbey. There are still ones in Aug and Sept

Advanced Notice of Events

York Buddhist Network are organising a variety of events every month throughout the year and currently the aim is to be essentially York based to help accessibility and to vary the times and days of the week to make the sessions hopefully easier for different people to get to. In the Autumn/ Winter months they hope to arrange tree planting events that may well be outside York and with the possibility of residential weekends.

In September we will be meeting on Saturday 14th September 10am - 1pm. We will be scything, raking and sowing in the meadows at St Nicks. Here is the link giving more information if you are interested https://stnicks.org.uk/get-inspired/events/eco-active-day-2-2019-09-14/

International Shared Meal – Saturday 19th October is the date for your dairies for this annual event held at the end of One World Week every year. It is held from 6pm to 9pm in Acomb Parish Church Hall, Front Street Acomb, York YO24 3BX. Bring a dish from your own country or tradition to share and contribute just £3 at the door. Children under 16 free. Please bring food by 6.15. No alcohol. There will be entertainment after the meal. Event organised by York Racial Equality Network, York Baha’I Community and York Interfaith Group. Contacts: Tricia Castle 01904 641657 / tricia.castle@talktalk.net or YREN 01904 642600 / info@yren.co.uk

Family History Conference. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints have sent us some details of an event later this year. It is a large family history conference called RootTech at the ExCel in London this October, 24-26th, which may be of interest to some members. It is open to anyone and everyone and has some great workshops on a variety of family history aspects and will have keynote speaker Donny Osmond attending. This is the first time that the church is sponsoring this event outside of the USA. It has run for many years in Salt Lake City, USA. There will also be Nick Barratt who is an author, broadcaster, and historian best known for his work on BBC’s ‘Who Do You Think

You Are?’ series of programmes attending. Here is the link for anyone who may wish to go. https://www.rootstech.org/london

The Website Many thanks to Jan Jauncey for continuing to look after the York Interfaith Group website. Please see the website for an introduction to the group’s activities and for on-going events and updates… www.yorkinterfaith.org

IFN - The National Body As members of the National Inter Faith Network (IFN) for the UK, York Interfaith Group sets out to bring its aims to the local level. For more information please see www.interfaith.org.uk Plus, readers may wish to remain abreast of events and developments on the national level. To do so, for a link to the latest e-bulletin please see: http://www.interfaith.org.uk/publications/ifn-e-bulletin

Subscriptions The group welcomes new members and Anthony Glaister, York Interfaith Group Treasurer, welcomes any subscriptions from local groups and individuals (ranging from £20 or £10 for groups to £15 individual standard fee and £6 for concessions, free for full time students)

Contact us: To contact the York Interfaith Group committee please email us on: yorkinterfaithgroup@gmail.com

Any items for the next newsletter please send them by 23rd Aug for the September issue.

Guest editor this month – Dee Boyle (Unitarian, Buddhist, Pagan)

Please do consider being guest editor for the newsletter. Without your support we may not be able to continue to have newsletters each month so please do think about helping out.