Inter-Faith Relations

Social Responsibility is Caring, Compassion, Restoration of hope ...
... signs of the Kingdom of God coming through love and justice.

Diocese of Guildford - engaging with Inter-Faith work

With the appointment of Revd Richard Cook as Bishop’s Adviser for Inter-Faith Relations, the Diocese has an opportunity of revisiting how this important work is engaged with. The Department for Social Responsibility takes a lead, because there are a number of links which engage DSR with inter-faith matters from the Government Office (GOSE) and SE England Faith Forum (SEEFF), through to local project work supported by the Bishop of Guildford’s Foundation (BGF). 

 

 

 

 

 

Revd Richard Cook
 
I have been Vicar of Goldsworth Park for 13 years, and have been Rural Dean of Woking. I moved to Woking from Bolton, after 12 years there, which was the start of my involvement with local cross cultural ministry. There were three mosques in our Parish, and three Hindu Temples just outside, and it was a great time of learning and gaining understanding. In Woking, I am chairperson of Across, a charity, supported by ten local churches, to help build bridges between people of different cultures and communities. Across has been active in setting up the Woking People of Faith Forum, and in developing a Christian-Muslim Youth Project. I have recently completed a Master degree of Theology, studying Sufism amongst the Mirpuri community in Britain.

I see my new role as an opportunity to:

• Help Church communities and significant people to develop a contextual awareness, using the best research tools available. Information in the public domain, and local knowledge gleaned from people on the ground, will allow an accurate assessment of the peoples of other faiths present in which locations
• Equip parishes and people to understand their setting, developing an appreciation of diversity, and forming a holistic Gospel approach to developing relations with faith communities in their area
• Provide relevant training opportunities for clergy and leaders within the Diocese, so that all can see the opportunities which are present for creative and hopeful relationships with people from other faith backgrounds
• Work in partnership with DSR and other agencies as appropriate to promote social cohesion and respect for ethnic and religious diversity
• Develop a national and international perspective on inter faith relations e.g. through membership of CRIB, the Urban Vision Committee, the DIFA Group, and the Christian/Muslim Forum
• Advise the Bishop and Bishop’s Staff on inter faith relations.

Richard’s contact details:
8 Cardingham, Goldsworth Park, Woking GU21 3LN
Email: cookingwok@tiscali.co.uk
Tel: 01483 764523
Tel: 01483 723879