Faith Exchange

Next meeting of the Faith Exchange

WHEN: 5.30pm - 8pm, Tuesday 23 June 09

WHERE: Westminster Synagogue, Kent House, Rutland Gardens, Knightsbridge, London SW7 1BX

The topic of this meeting is 'Art in different Faith Traditions'. The meeting will look at how art forms are used in faith and the different perceptions that communitieshave on religious art. The meeting will also look at art from a number of different faiths and there will be a chance to dicuss the positive impact that religious art can have on communities.

Come along and visit the Westminster Synagogue and enjoy delicious food with members of other faiths in Westminster.

For more information and to RSVP please contact Shahi Islam on sislam@westminster.gov.uk or on 020 7641 3247.

Dates for Faith Exchange meetings in 2009

For the remainder of 2009, Faith Exchange meetings are scheduled for:

Thursday 8th October 2009

Thursday 3rd December 2009



Please put these dates into your diary. If you would like to know more about Faith Exchange meetings please contact Shahi Islam at sislam@westminster.gov.uk or on 020 7641 3247.

Faith Exchange meeting at Islamic Centre of England

The topic for this meeting was 'Making Westminster a safer place for all'. The meeting looked at what the City Council and Police are doing to reduce crime and disorder in Westminster (including the role of Safer Neighbourhood Teams and Panels, Civic Watch, City Guardians etc) and how the Council and Police can work more closely with faith communities.

Faith Exchange meeting at St Martin-in-the-Fields

St Martin-in-the-Fields hosted the  meeting of Faith Exchange on 2nd December 2008. The meeting included talks and demonstrations on the topic of prayer by leaders of different faith traditions in Westminster. The meeting also included a speech by the Leader of Westminster City Council, Cllr Colin Barrow, and an exhibition and prize giving for the 'My Faith, My Life' art competition for children and young people. A short note of the meeting is available to download below:

Note of Faith Exchange meeting - 2.12.08

Westminster Faith Exchange

Within the boundaries of the City of Westminster there are many places of worship. Some places, such as Westminster Abbey, have played, and continue to play, an important role in London's and England's religious life.

Today, Westminster is very much a city of diverse faith communities with the synagogue, the mosque and the temple as well as the church all now evident in the city.

The whole spectrum of religious belief is represented in Westminster, from the Baha'i, the Hindu, the Jain, the Jewish, the Muslim, the Sikh and the Zoroastrian through to the many Christian denominations.

The Westminster Faith Exchange is a City Council initiative to encourage dialogue between the Council and faith organisations, and between the different faith communities in Westminster. The Faith Exchange is chaired by Councillor Carolyn Keen and its programme is managed by an Executive Committee of Westminster faith group representatives.

Faith Exchange Work Programme for 2009

In January the Faith Exchange Executive Committee agreed the Work Programme for 2009. The work programme contains the headline topics for each Faith Exchange meeting and some various additional activities. Download your copy of the 2009 work programme below:

2009 Faith Exchange Work Programme

Faith Exchange Newsletters

The Westminster Faith Exchange produces a regular Newsletter with information for faith groups, including upcoming events, funding opportunities, and information on Council services. Recent Newsletters can be downloaded below:

WFE February 2009 Newsletter

WFE November 2008 Newsletter

WFE August 2008 Newsletter

WFE March 2008 Newsletter

WFE February 2008 Newsletter

If you would like to join the mailing list for the Newsletter please contact Clinton Geeves at cgeeves@westminster.gov.uk or call 020 7641 3247.

Calendar of Religious Festivals

Each year the City Council and Westminster Police produce a calendar of religious festivals to promote and raise awareness of significant religious events throughout the year. Download your copy of the 2009 Calendar below:

2009 Calendar of Religious Festivals

If you would like hard copies of the Calendar please contact Clinton Geeves at cgeeves@westminster.gov.uk or 020 7641 3247.

Directory of Faiths in Westminster

In 2007 the Council produced a Westminster Directory of Faiths. The directory clearly shows the diversity of faith groups in Westminster, and is divided into 10 chapters, one for each of the nine religions represented in Westminster and one for interfaith entries. There is also a section listing places of worship by ward. We hope that this will help you identify other places of worship and faith based organisations near you so that you can make local connections with all the diverse faith groups in your area. The Directory can be downloaded below:

Westminster Directory of Faiths 2007 (489kb)

Please use the links on the left to find further information about faith communities in Westminster.

If you would like further information about the Westminster Faith Exchange please contact Clinton Geeves on 0207 641 3247 or at cgeeves@westminster.gov.uk