FN4M

Dear Friends,

We hope you are managing to stay well and keeping safe and coping with the continuing restrictions of this Covid-19 pandemic. It is important that we are aware of those who need extra support. Our online session last week raised many important considerations about loneliness during this period for people in their own homes, in care homes, hospitals and the homeless. We hope to have a write up in this month’s newsletter.

In tomorrow’s interfaith dialogue we will be looking at the financial implications for faith communities and individuals of the lockdown, how it is affecting us and many others. We are hearing more and more about poverty, uncertainty, vulnerability and all sorts of issues, so if you have anything to share, ask or raise about any aspect of these, please do join us for the dialogue tomorrow.

We will have support from Strengthening Faith Institutions who ran a webinar on this recently and hope to offer some insights, advice and fellowship as part of the session. Details are attached – it is tomorrow, Wednesday 6th May from 5.00 to 6.30 p.m. and you can join by clicking on the link:

https://zoom.us/j/95734414086?pwd=aXFsWGdpOXJtMGZ1bTNXbjAyMWRyZz09 and by entering the password 866435.

Also, today is #GivingTuesdayNow, a global day of unity in response to Coronavirus, where we can all come together to recognise, celebrate and give thanks for the incredible outpouring of compassion we have witnessed during this crisis. We attach details of the purpose of the day from the Charities Aid Foundation.

#GivingTuesdayNow will be also be a day to celebrate and support the charities who have stepped up and reached out to support our family, friends and communities during this difficult time and who are continuing with their important work in challenging circumstances. If you would like to support the Faith Network for Manchester you can at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/faithnetwork4manchester .

This Thursday, 7th May, is the Buddhist festival of Vesakha Puja (also called) Wesak or Buddha day or Bodhi day). Vesak or Buddha Day is the major festival of the year for Buddhists from the Theravada tradition. It celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha. It is called Vesak after the month in which it falls in the Indian calendar.

Many of you will be aware that next week, Sunday 10th – Saturday 16th May is Christian Aid Week. Initiated in 1945, this week is devoted to fund raising by members of various churches, mainly through house to house collections and sales of goods of various kinds. The money given is for work with the needy throughout the world. Christian Aid works in nearly 60 countries, helping people, regardless of religion or race, to improve their own lives and tackle the causes of poverty and injustice.

Next Monday evening and Tuesday, 11th – 12th May is the Jewish festival of Lag B’Omer. The Omer is a period of 49 days, lasting from Passover to the festival Shavuot. It is a time of sadness, relieved on this, the 33rd day, by a break in the days of semi-mourning. Lag B’Omer recalls the end of a plague in Roman times during the lifetime of Rabbi Akiva, and is often celebrated by outside activities such as picnics and bonfires. A large number of weddings take place on this day, since they are not usually permitted during most of the rest of the Omer period. These will not be taking place this year due to Covid-19 restrictions in most countries.

Finally, may we once again wish our Muslim brothers and sisters Ramadan Kareem and hope that despite the restrictions on gathering for prayers and Iftars, the month and fasting is going well.

Please take care and stay safe and well. If you know of anyone who needs extra support during this period, please help arrange some help for them, either through neighbours, local faith communities, voluntary organisations or the local council networks. Let’s stay in touch by phone with those who do not have regular contact with others, especially those who do not have internet access.

With very best wishes,

FN4M Trustees