St Mary’s Hosts its First Speed Faith-ing Event

Last week, the Chaplaincy Centre at St Mary’s University College, Twickenham hosted its first Speed Faith-ing event to tie in with National Inter Faith Week. Inter Faith Week aims to strengthen good inter faith relations, increase the awareness of the different faith communities in the UK, and increase understanding between people of religious and non-religious beliefs. It also reflects on the work done by local faith-based groups and organisations while celebrating diversity and developing communities. As part of the week, the University College’s Chaplaincy Centre organised an evening of ‘speed faith-ing’. Adapting the basic ideas of speed dating for religion, participants had five minutes to explain their view on a topic to each person they met before moving on. A range of people drawn from a variety of religious traditions and non-religious backgrounds took part, making for some fascinating discussions and a real growth in the understanding of one another. Speakers from the Three Faiths Forum (3FF), an organisation that builds relationships between different faith groups, also visited St Mary’s during the week. 3FF representatives talked to students about how they could go involved in local inter faith dialogue, leadership training and education opportunities throughout the year. Caroline Stanton, the Acting Chaplain at St Mary’s Chaplaincy Centre, said, “In our diverse society Interfaith dialogue and understanding is so important and it’s great to see staff and students coming together to discuss issues and build friendships.”