
The Jewish community gets together on social action projects on Mitzvah Day in November each year. During A Year of Service, with the support of the Department of Communities and Local Government, nine faith communities will be inviting people of different religious and philosophical traditions to join them on social action projects.
More dates for your 2012 diaries :)
A Year of Service is one way of celebrating the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee and could easily add an extra dimension to the wide range of community activities which religious and multifaith groups are engaged in, year in, year out.
The Year will be led by nine faith communities in the UK, each inviting others to join them (on specific dates) in social action projects to improve their local neighbourhoods.
Here is the list:
28 February Bahá’í Launch in Hyde Park
21 March Zoroastrian No Ruz, visiting the elderly
22 Feb to 7 April Christian Lent, cleaning and restoring
16 April Jain Mahavia Jayanti, visiting the sick
27 May Christian Pentecost, meeting the stranger
16 June Sikh Martyrdom of Guru Arjan, bringing sweetness
3 July Buddhist Asala Dharma, caring for the environment
4/5 August Muslim Ramadan, meeting new neighbours
5 October Christian Harvest Festival, feeding the hungry
7 October Hindu Sewa day, helping the homeless
18 November Jewish Mitzvah Day, growing things
2-24 December Christian Advent, fighting poverty
Thanks to everyone who has let me know about this initiative – Duncan, Rashid, Alan, Justine, Susanne, Siriol and others. Shall we invite someone from A Year of Service to one of our meetings?
More information is available from the faith contacts and there is a flyer especially for south Londoners here.
The Department of Communities and Local Government will be supporting the Year through the website. The Coexist Foundation will be leading a national celebration to coincide with Inter Faith Week in November – there is a picture of fireworks, so I am hopeful.