The Calendar below includes upcoming DFBF events and other interfaith events in Devon, and reports and photos of previous events. [There is a known bug in the calendar, and it may go blank if you try changing the date or the display view. Refreshing the page should show the new information.]
See also the Shap e-calendar of Religious Festivals, featuring dates and descriptions of festivals. It is an invaluable resource for the teaching profession, students, businesses, chaplaincies, those in health care and public services.
More than 70 volunteers from 7 different churches and 6 other faith and belief traditions have now been trained to be able to respond in the event of a major emergency in Devon, Plymouth or Torbay.
The Devon Faiths Response Team (DFRT) holds regular training workshops, with sessions led by various blue light services, HM Coroner and trauma specialists. Other speakers provide contributions from the Hindu, Jewish, Pagan, Muslim and Christian perspectives.
If a serious accident, natural disaster or attack were to happen in Devon, the members of the DFRT would work alongside the emergency services and other agencies to provide support for victims and their families and loved ones.
The DFRT continues to look for new volunteers and welcomes enquiries from interested people who are members of local churches and other faith communities.
Martyn Goss, Director of Church & Society at the Diocese of Exeter in the Church of England, said: “We face unknown crises in the future which might entail serious loss of life and damage to property and the environment. It is essential that members of Devon’s faith communities are equipped to respond to such events. This is all about preparing now for eventualities and emergencies to come.”
If you are interested in the next training day in Plymouth, please contact Maia Miller on .
Update: Workshop report and resources »
At a time of immense environmental and ecological challenge, it is essential that the world’s faith traditions engage more fully in what we may call planetary awareness and action.
Devon Earth and Faith Network invites you to a free day of exploration and inspiration
Sunday 1st November 2015
11.00a.m. – 4.00p.m.
The Old Deanery, Exeter
Main speaker:
Satish Kumar
Other contributors include:
Richard Dealler (Pilgrimage)
Hamzah Saied (Islam and Creation)
Sandhya Dave (Stories of Sustainability)
Aims:
- To develop a network of locally based faith champions for climate justice and earth care
- To share good practices and break the isolation of doing this work seemingly alone
- To inspire participants for the future and enthuse deeper understanding and engagement in issues around their faith and climate justice
Places limited. Please book with Joanie Harris. Tel: 01392-294940 / . Details will follow.
Download poster (pdf)
‘Teaching British Values: Faith and Belief Perspectives’
British Values has become a byword for controversy. In schools and colleges it is now mandatory that pupils learn what they are. But how do those engaged in providing education, or indeed those on the receiving end of it feel about this? This conference, with contributions from education practitioners, provides a safe forum to explore these issues. Members of faith and belief groups will bring their own perspectives through debate, workshops, presentations and conversations. What better way to mark Inter Faith Week in 2015? Why not come along?
This free event is taking place at the Mint Methodist Church, Fore St, Exeter, EX4 3AT from 9.30am-1pm on Saturday 14 November 2015.
Download the flyer for more information and to share.
To find out more and to book your place, email the Chair of DFBF Jude Taylorson at .
More information coming soon…
Schools, Colleges and Community Groups need skilled speakers who can educate and inspire. This FREE COURSE will provide you with the understanding of what’s needed and opportunities to develop skills and confidence.
Whether you’re already experienced, or would like to develop your ability to talk about your faith and beliefs, there is both challenge and support for you. Can you listen and reflect before speaking with confidence and convey your faith and belief to those who seek greater understanding? We don’t need experts on subject matter but we do need confident communicators who understand what is needed and can adapt to different situations and audiences. Working with experienced professional trainers, you will have the chance to share learning with representatives of Devon’s diverse faith and belief communities.
The training will be active and engaging and is designed to give you confidence in taking on the important role of faith and belief speaker. The aim is that you should be as effective as possible and that you should be able to enjoy the opportunity to speak for your faith and belief.
More information is available on this website
You can also download a leaflet
To apply for the training programme, please complete this form »
Devon Earth & Faith Network (DEFAN) is organising an interfaith walking pilgrimage on Dartmoor for Sunday 17th July. Richard Dealler is planning a circular route from Throwleigh of about 6-7 miles, mainly flat and taking about 4-5 hours. We would hope to encourage car-sharing from Exeter, Plymouth, North Devon, etc. Maybe from local churches, the Mosque, Hindu Community and others? It will be important to know numbers in advance, so if this is of interest could you please let Martyn Goss know?
