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Reading has a long history of religious toleration. The Reading Interfaith Group began as a response to the challenge and opportunities of an increasingly global economy. As inspiration and ideas from all over the world came to Reading, the Reading Interfaith Group aims to challenge fear and prejudice by bringing people together.

The first Reading Interfaith Group meeting was held on Tuesday 23rd April 1985 at the Friends Meeting House. A focus on "Some Spring Religious Festivals" became an opportunity for members of different religious traditions to meet and explore the possibility of starting a Reading inter-faith group linked to the World Congress of Faiths"

Although Reading Interfaith Group was at first led mainly by teachers for mainly educational purposes, it still retains many of its original characteristics. A group of friends still regularly gather together to discuss faith issues and plan events.

2008

Events 2008

This year we produced a complete monthly programme of events,

January-What and Why is Quakerism?

February -Theravada Buddhism the search for calm and insight

March-Visit to HIndu temple

April-Visit to Douai Abbey

June-Visit to sysagogue

September- Friendship Walk

October- Autumn Event

2007

A challenging year

2007 was a very difficult year for several of our committee members. Under these circumstances it was impossible for us to organise a large scale event such as the Friendship Walk so we concentrated on reviewing some of our procedures, recruiting membership and organising a programme of events.

Events included

MAY : Rev. Caroline 'Prasada' Brazier, gave a talk on Pureland Buddhism,

JULY: ‘An evening of Interfaith Poetry and Taize Chanting’ at St. William York Church, Redlands Road.

SEPTEMBER: Hare Krishna evening at the Quaker Meeting House, Reading.

OCTOBER: AUTUMN EVENT: ‘The Importance and Nature of Dialogue’ led by Hugh Boulter. Quaker Meeting House, Reading

NOVEMBER: 2007 : ‘Baha’i Faith – Progressive Revelation’ led by Jim Talbot. Quaker Meeting House, Reading. (Paul to give date and time and Jim and Dori to confirm)

2006

Friendship Walk 2006

A very big thank you to everyone who helped make this year's Friendship Walk such a success. This was a wonderful team effort, setting an example of what the people of Reading believe and are able to achieve together.

Well done to everyone who took part and helped publicise this event!
We couldn't have done it without you!

2005

Friendship Walk 2005

This year's Friendship Walk began in a small way as many people were unused to the earlier time and not entirely sure of the location. For a while it seemed the media would be photographing our banner, two members of the Reading Interfaith Group and several pigeons! Thankfully the number of participants rapidly improved so as to constitute a crowd of about 200 people by the time we reached Kennet Side.

We began this years event with a time of silence to commemorate the life of Pope John Paul II who had died just a few hours earlier. It was also felt important to show support for the Catholic community in Reading.

The weather that day could not have been better. There was a warm welcome at all the different places we visited with much food and hospitality. Despite the distance and rigorous pace-making, everyone seemed to enjoy themselves.

2004

Friendship Walk 2004

"I enjoyed the walk with the other members of faiths particularly since it was dry! When I entered the Gurdwara, I was fascinated by the music coming from the instruments which initially seemed to be repeating over and over again but as I began to meditate, they produced for me a beautiful rhythm and made me feel very much at home.
I felt that the support of the local dignitaries added much lustre to the occasion and I realised that we achieved all our objectives."
Rabbi Adrian Jesner

"I took part in the friendship walks in 2003 and 2004. I found them very inspiring. There is always a wonderful welcome from the places of worship visited. Our hosts delight in giving us a brief window into their faith and place of worship. At a time when so much emphasis is being made of the differences between faiths, the Friendship Walk provides a public affirmation that there is much more uniting us."
Bob Brown

"We thought the Friendship Walk was very good indeed. It was very enjoyable. I enjoyed the friendship and visiting different places of worship. This year I fully intend to complete the route because I am still very young at heart and have been practicing"
Jim Talbot

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Reading Interfaith Group