All in Good Faith

Author(s): Jean Potter, Marcus Braybrooke
Publisher: World Congress of Faiths

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Local Initiatives
planning, consultation and unanimous decisions on such things as form, order and content was stressed, so that the authenticity of each participating faith can be secured.
Reference has been made in the Introduction to the fact that terminology can cause problems for some people, and this is something which should be considered by the planning group. For this reason it may be that some Buddhists who do not believe in a Transcendent Power might feel unable to participate.
Again, the need for a uniting theme, possibly as a result of a current or local situation, was stressed, and also the use of symbols. One group suggested that guided meditation can be acceptable to members of all faiths, and another said that such an events should contribute to both the personal and collective spiritual journey of those attending them.
Practical Points to be considered
Venue: Although many people would prefer to be in a place not connected with any particular faith when 'coming together to pray' or 'to pray together', yet a secular venue can cause difficulties for others in establishing a viable setting for worship or in creating a suitable environment. The fact that some people feel they need to sit on the floor, while others prefer chairs; some like to kneel while others would rather stand, should be taken into account. Being able to move about or express their devotion through bodily movements is important for some people, while others need to be still and quiet. In some traditions it is required that the leader/s or holy writings be placed in an elevated position, or it is necessary to face in a particular geographical direction.
These are things which should be discussed in the planning stage so that everyone can accept the arrangements which are eventually made.
Day and Time : Unless there is good reason to include the ritual of one particular faith community in an inter-faith service, it is usually better to avoid having it at a time when any of the participating communities would normally be having their own principal devotions.
Order and Content: As the finally agreed order and content of such an event is unlikely to be familiar to many of the participants, it is strongly recommended that, where possible, this should be written (or printed), and include guidance as to what the participants might expect to happen, and what they may be encouraged to do, with alternatives (e.g. stand or sit or
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