Origins of the Interfaith Contact Group

The Brighton and Hove Inter-Faith Contact Group began with the planning groups established each year by the local branch of the United Nations Association (UNA) to organise October's inter-faith celebration on United Nations' Day. For example, in 1992 the celebration took place at the University of Sussex Chaplaincy; in 1993 at Hove Parish Church; in 1994 at St Joseph's Church in Elm Grove; in 1995 at the New Synagogue in Palmeira Avenue; and in 1996 at Friends Meeting House in Ship Street.

Each year, another group would be formed of local representatives from the local communities of faith and tradition to plan the inter-faith celebration.

Following the 1996 celebration, the planning group agreed 'to remain in contact'* to promote inter-faith dialogue and greater mutual understanding throughout the year. And since the group needed an initial point for contact that would appear neutral and unattached to any existing place of worship, PO Box 2882 was initiated as its official address. [*hence 'Contact Group'.]

Although the group wanted to keep its organisation as informal as possible, it was agreed that some formalised structure would help in facilitating inter-faith dialogue.

At Hove Town Hall, on Thursday the 13th of February 1997, there was an Inaugural Meeting of the Brighton and Hove Inter-Faith Contact Group (IFCG) in the presence of the Mayors of both Brighton and Hove* together with representatives from many of our towns' faith traditions and communities. The meeting was chaired by Peter Martin (Chair of the local UNA). The guest speaker was Brian Pearce, Director of the Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom who spoke about the history and work of the network. The meeting agreed (amongst other things) to establish an IFCG that would help to build and maintain good relations and a greater understanding between our different faith communities and traditions; endorse the Inter Faith Network for the United Kingdom's 'code of conduct'; provide a forum for discussing matters of mutual concern; and organise inter-faith activities such as the annual inter-faith celebration. The meeting ended with a moment for silent reflection (a practice that continues to be observed at the beginning or ending of most IFCG meetings). [*This was shortly before both towns were combined as a city.]

There was another General Meeting on June 5th 1997 at the Friends (Quaker) Meeting House, chaired by an IFCG founding member, the Revd Canon Michael Butler. The guest speaker was Dr Owen Cole, an educationalist and writer who spoke on issues of religious education. This meeting agreed to form a Steering & Planning Group of around eight to twelve people.

The first Steering & Planning Group met in July 1997. It met a further four times during the next six months; opened a bank account; drafted introduction and constitution documents; helped organise a number of events (including the inter-faith celebration) and planned the first IFCG Annual General Meeting.