Bedford Council of Faiths acknowledges with great sorrow and dismay the hurt and distress our Muslim brothers and sisters have suffered through the publishing of cartoons depicting the Prophet in a Danish newspaper. Bedford Council of Faiths has been working very hard over the last two decades to improve relations between the various faiths living in our town. Our aim has always been to encourage true mutual respect, understanding, love and care. We are determined not to let this issue undermine our efforts. To retain both freedom of expression and freedom from religious hatred, we must behave in a responsible way and while being sensitive to others, we also need to be slow to take offence ourselves. As people of faith we would like to remind ourselves and others of the golden rule: treat others as you yourself want to be treated.

UNITED IN PRAYER

Message of Solidarity from BCoF for Kashmiri earthquake victims at a service in the Mosque
16th October 2005

For programme and text please click below:
Programme
Speech
Appeal for the victims of the Earthquake in Kashmir

Bedford Council of Faiths Study Outing to Norse Road Crematorium and Cemetery
10th July 2005

On the afternoon of 10th July 2005, a group of approximately 25 interested and strong-hearted people from various faith backgrounds met at the waiting room of the Norse Road Cemetery to embark on an afternoon of study of the cemetery and crematorium facilities, and of some of the funeral rites of different world faiths. After enjoying a bring-and-share lunch of vegetarian delights, we were taken on a guided tour of the crematorium and cemetery by its Company Secretary and Registrar, Michael Day, and his deputy Sherry Hooper.

We began at the crematorium, where, in the main area of the building, Michael explained the usual procedures of cremation, and what facilities were available to meet individual need. The latter included how the congregation area could be enlarged when many mourners were present; that the crematorium has the symbols of the main world faiths so that the appropriate symbols can be visible in the crematorium chapel according to the faith of the deceased; and how the needs can be accommodated of those whose faith includes in its funeral ritual, viewing the actual cremation. We were then taken to the area used for that purpose, behind the usual ‘public' area of the chapel, where a small number of people can overlook the furnaces, kept a safe distance away by an aesthetically attractive ‘barrier' moulded and carved from natural materials. We were now in the ‘working end' of the crematorium, and this was where the ‘strong-hearted' bit was required for those who, like me, felt somewhat faint-hearted by being this close to the cremation process (also, perhaps, more difficult for those who had recently attended the cremation of a loved one). However, those who wished to remain apart from this stage of the tour could do so – we took in only those parts of the tour we wished to. Michael gave us much information about the procedures, and we could view all of the equipment, and ask any questions that arose as we went along.

From here, we were taken on a tour of the cemetery. First we went to the wooded area, where those who are buried lie in unmarked graves, although trees may be planted here for them. Those wishing to have a ‘green burial' can do so, and ashes can be scattered here, too. We then moved on to see other specifically designated burial areas: the Jewish, the Muslim, the mausoleum and burial chamber area, and inevitably the most moving of all, the area for baby burials. Many cemeteries now like to keep maintenance at optimum levels, and this has led them to wanting graves to be marked by headstones only, so that the grass between graves can be easily mown. For some cultures, the custom is to have grave plots delineated in marble or stone and in-filled with stones or slab, as well as having a headstone, or to have burial chambers for families, or mausolea accommodating one or more bodies or ashes of people of one family in wall chambers, thus the provision of a specific area for this.

One of the issues that came up during the day had been that many people of certain faiths would welcome weekend burials or cremations. Michael Day had told us that there had been a trial period of providing these approximately five years ago, but that there had been little take-up, and it was very expensive to provide staffing all year round for weekends. The council had dropped the idea. Some of our Bedford Council of Faith members know of people within their faiths who travel many miles to find places that offer weekend burials or cremations. We were urged to pass on to anyone we knew who would welcome the weekend facility, to write to the County Council putting a case for its provision at the Norse Road site. It had been a really informative and enjoyable day. Many thanks to all those involved in the organisation, in presentations and in providing refreshments. The buildings and grounds at the Norse Road complex are maintained to a really high standard, and respect, comfort and peace exude from them. Michael Day and his team are to be congratulated on the quality of service they offer. Our thanks to them, too, for all they did to give us such educational input, and for the time they devoted to our visit.

Sue Lennon

Bedford Council of Faiths' Statement to the press
7th July 2005

Bedford Council of Faiths deplores these attacks on ordinary people and our hearts, prayers and thoughts go out to the victims, their families and friends and everybody who is caught up in it.  The urgent need of unity and harmony among all people and faiths is today demonstrated most poignantly.

Bedford Council of Faiths stands ready to assist in any programme that is designed to promote this ideal. We react like our bodies would when hurt.  If you hurt my hand my whole body will strive to repair it and so do we wish to help repair this unbalanced world.

BCoF Walks • Annual Pilgrimage •
13th April '05 

A Journey of Discovery

Any passengers leaving Bedford Thameslink Station on Wednesday April 13th around 7.00 p.m. might well have wondered what some thirty or forty people were doing at the bus stop. They were certainly not waiting for a bus!
They were in fact assembling for the Bedford Council of Faiths 2005 Annual Pilgrimage, which turned into a real ‘Journey of Discovery' as we went from place to place and found out about the lively spiritual, religious and social life that takes place within buildings that we frequently pass by on our way elsewhere.

A particular feature of the church was a series of large statues down the left-hand wall of the Patron Saints of the towns and villages from which members of the congregation came. Once a year these were taken outside in procession followed by the families from each district, and this all helped to affirm both their origins and their present situation.

Some people remembered the place we next stopped at – at the end of The Avenue - as the Post Office's Sorting Office. Others recalled its use as a drill hall. But now it has been transformed into the headquarters of one of Bedford's Sikh Communities, and it houses the Sri Guru Ravidass Bhawan, as well as large rooms for social events and activities, including wedding receptions and other celebrations.

Upstairs we entered the place of worship for a time of worship, singing, music and questions and answers about Sikhism. Later we came downstairs for the – as always on the Annual Pilgrimages – greatly enjoyable time of eating and meeting one another. For this was not just a ‘Journey of Discovery' about our different faiths and the buildings in which they gather, but a 'Journey of Discovery' of one another.

BCoF Prays for Peace •
Multi-Faith Civic Service • 10th April '05

People of all ages from nine world religions came together to worship under one roof, taking Peace as the main theme of the one hour service.
Bedford Borough Council (especially Speaker Councillor Khan and Deputy Mayor Cllr Shan Hunt) working with Bedford Council of Faiths arranged the occasion at Biddenham Upper School, which included music, prayers and readings from all the faiths.

Bedford Council of Faiths compiled the service, which was followed, according to BCoF tradition, by lots of lively talk and enjoyment of a wide range of generously donated refreshments.
The beautifully produced Order of Service booklet, containing all the prayers and readings as well as brief histories of the 10 faiths represented in BCoF was compiled by BCoF members and forms a wonderful souvenir of the occasion, and gives insight into the hopes and values that all our faiths share. We would like to express thanks, to the service preparation group (consisting of Dr Wendi Momen, Rabbi Daniela Thau, Rev John Tibbs, Shaminder Singh Billen , and Rev Jay MacLeod) who created the order of service, to the Mayor's Secretary Ruth Lutt and staff of the Bedford Borough Council who worked so hard behind the scenes, Biddenham Upper School and all those whose commitment made this encouraging event possible.

Heather Mitchell

Vote of thanks:
Rev Jay MacLeod
Moderator:
Rabbi Daniela Thau
Mace Bearer:
Barry Tappenden
Borough Council Staff:
Owen Parker