So provocative
I was in the city centre on Saturday, February 4, when the marches were going on.
Later in the day, I had to go to St Margaret's bus station and at this time the police were escorting the EDL out of the city centre. Just as the EDL were passing St Margaret's Church, a group of people were standing on a street corner shouting through a megaphone, "Nazi scum off our streets." These people were trying to provoke the EDL and cause trouble, which I thought was wrong.
In my opinion, these people were worse than the EDL for making comments like that. Imagine what could have happened if the EDL decided to retaliate in response to those comments.
I would like to congratulate Peter Soulsby and the police for their handling of the marches which appeared to go reasonably well.
Mrs Karen Shepherd, Thurmaston
A farewell party early this evening at St Philip's Church, Evington, for Alan Race. More than a hundred people turn out to express their good wishes to someone who has been an influential figure in inter faith work, not only in Leicester but also far beyond, for more than a quarter of a century.
Rev Canon Dr Alan Race has been Priest-in-Charge at St Philip's since July 2007. He helped develop a new outlook for St Philip's, which had become a church for a minority community among residents in the parish who are affiliated to other faiths. He has also been Dean of Postgraduate Studies next door at St Philip's Centre for Study and Engagement in a Multi-Faith Society. Alan is an Executive Member of the World Congress of Faiths and has for many years been editor of its journal,
Alan moved to Leicester in 1983, around the time when he was beginning to stand out as one among a small but persuasive number of scholars and practitioners extending the vision and experience of Christians to acknowledge and engage with the world views of other faiths. Leicester provided Alan with fertile ground to strengthen and deepen his studies and writings on this theme.
Alan chaired a conference at Leicester University's Stamford Hall, 5-8 August 2001 entitled "Multi-Ethnic Britain: What Future?", which took its lead from the Parekh Report, which had been published the year before. I attended that conference, which was in itself a very interesting occasion - although, as you can imagine faithful reader, whatever we may have said and done there was somewhat overtaken by events in New York and Washington hardly one month later.
Alan was on the panel of three (along with Angela Jagger and Tony Nelson) who interviewed me for my initial post with Leicester Council of Faiths, back in May 2007. Alan was Treasurer of the Council of Faiths then.
Alan is leaving Leicester to become Rector of St Margaret's Church in Lee, South London. He's sold me on the idea of going down there to visit him once he's settled, with his description of St Margaret's as part church, part art gallery.
Among his many published books (either solely or with others) are: Interfaith Encounter: The Twin Tracks of Theology and Dialogue (SCM Press, 2001) and Christian Approaches to Other Faiths (joint ed., with Paul Hedges, SCM Press, 2008). He is also editor of the intermationally renowned journal Interreligious Insight (previously called World Faiths Encounter). In 2008, Alan wrote a pithy piece for the Guardian on the topic, Should Religions Compete?
The cake served this evening was one of those ones that has a photograph reproduced in the icing. I got a piece that had Alan's head on it. I hoped that upon eating it, I would feel my IQ or my wisdom or something shoot up like a sugar rush. Sadly, it was not to be.
In the photo above, Alan Race (right) shares a joke with Resham Singh Sandhu at his leaving do, St Philip's Church this evening (Ramesh Majithia is in the background, between them). You could hardly get a more inter-faith photo about Leicester if you tried.
"Discover Leicester" is coming up this weekend: our city's annual contribution to a national Open Days event supported by English Heritage. I've taken from the programme only those sites in the city related to religion. There are more than just these destinations on offer during the four day period. Leicester Council of Faiths organises a "Faiths Trail" as part of this event. I'll be blogging about that separately on Sunday.
St Margaret's Church
St Margaret's Street, LE1 3EB
St Margaret's is a large medieval church rich in history. A warm welcome is extended to everyone. Beautiful stained glass windows - the east window by Thomas Willard.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1330
Leicester Synagogue
Highfield Street, LE2 1AD
The Synagogue is a listed building and well over 2100 years old. There will be informal tours of the building as well as explanations about its use and the Jewish Faith.
Sun 12 Sep 1000-1600 (Photo of the synagogue, above, from the Leicestershire Beehive, which hosts a number of websites for local not-for-profit groups and organisations)
All Saints' Church
Highcross Street, LE1 4PH
Norman/Medieval Church. Rare 1610 working clock with striking quarter Jack figures. There will be an exhibition of Victorian funeral memorabilia and displays by Leicestershire Calligraphers and the War Memorials Trust.
Thu 9 Sep 1100-1800; Fri 10 Sep 1100-1800; Sat 11 Sep 1000-1800; Sun 12 Sep 1430-1730
Places of Worship, Welcome & Wonder!
Friends' Meeting House, Queens Road, Clarendon Park, LE2 1WP
A chance to explore Stoneygate and Clarendon Park's many and varied places of worship and learn about their history and the often remarkable buildings that house them. From the grandeur of St James the Greater and the Clarendon Park Congregational Church to the Regency villa home of the Jesus Fellowship in Springfield Road. Collect your free map and itinerary and make your own way. Guides will be available at each venue to help make your visit a memorable one.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600
St Mary de Castro
Castle Street, LE1 5WN
Norman/Medieval church originally connected to Leicester Castle. the South Wall is still loopholed in preparation for the last ditch stand in the Siege of Leicester 1645.
Thu 9 Sep 1200-1400; Fri 10 Sep 1200-1400; Sat 11 Sep 1200-1700
St Nicholas' Church
129 St Nicholas Circle, LE1 5LX
A hidden treasure of Leicester's heritage, St Nicholas Church has had a long and colourful history. Sited near the centre of the Roman Town of Ratae Coritanorium, some Roman remains visible, but visitors will also find Saxon features dating from AD900.
Sat 11 Sep 1400-1600
Leicester Cathedral
Peacock Lane, LE1 5PX
Cathedral for Leicester and Leicestershire, 13th century church building. Enjoy peace and quiet, prayer and history. Exhibitions and tours, 13 bells, superb organ, recently restored tower and spire.
Fri 10 Sep 1000-1600; Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600; Sun 1000-1600
Leicester Abbey Revealed
Abbey Park, Abbey Park Road, LE4 5AQ
Leicester Abbey was founded in the 12th century and became one of the richest abbeys in the region. Learn of the growth of the abbey and the daily life of the monks.
Thu 9 Sep 0900-1400
St George's Serbian Orthodox Church
Rutland Street
Built in local sandstone in 1827, and largely rebuilt in 1912-13; St George's is now a Serbian Orthodox Church. Enjoy a friendly tour around this fascinating church.Sat 11 Sep 1600-1700
Bishop Street Methodist Church
10a Bishop Street, Town Hall Square, LE1 6AF
Georgian Grade II listed historic Methodist Chapel with an impressive interior. guided tours of the building, opportunity for family historians to consult our historic registers, displays on our church history and information about church heritage project.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1600
Great Meeting Unitarian Chapel
East Bond Street, LE1 4SX
300 year old non-conformist place of worship, the oldest brick building in Leicester. Set in pleasant gardens in the heart of the city, with many original features and some significant Victorian additions.
Sat 11 Sep 1000-1700; Sun 12 Sep 1030-1230
