This year’s lecture was entitled “Where did we come from? Questions and Answers
from Creation Stories” and delivered by Dr James Holt, Associate Professor of
Religious Education at the University of Chester and member of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-day Saints. The speaker was a specialist in world religions and
explained that in all the major religions there was always something there before the
universe as we know it was created, beyond time, while universes are constantly
created and destroyed. He then gave examples from various religious texts about
the nature of creation and showed that there are common themes in them all – that
from chaos came cosmos, from no-thing came some-thing. The use of stories to
explain this is central to who we are and helps us to understand the big picture –
they tell us what is important and give directions on how to lead our lives.
A common thread running through the major religions is the universal presence of
God and that humanity is one. He stressed how all creation is inter-related, and that
man is the steward of the earth, and there is no excuse for treating the earth
carelessly. We have a responsibility to care for all. This idea is very important to an
interfaith gathering, especially in times of political turmoil, and his message of the
unity of all beings was very appropriate.
There was a lively question and answer session following Dr Holt’s talk and, after he
was presented with a gift of appreciation, Elinor Chohan, Chair of AIG, thanked him
and people had the opportunity to mingle and chat while enjoying refreshments.
We are most grateful to Holy Angels for allowing us the use of their new Parish Hall
and to all those members of AIG who managed the refreshments and helped the
evening to run smoothly.
Carolyn Jones
(Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group)

About 20 members of Altrincham Interfaith Group went on this visit to the Jewish
Museum on Cheetham Hill Road (see photos). The museum has recently been
refurbished and an extension housing a café, meeting rooms and an exhibition area
built on what had previously been a garden. It was very modern and displays
included various artefacts brought over by the Jews fleeing oppression such as
household items, and objects from their professions – a dressmaker bought her
special box of pins that would strap to her wrist, a baker bought cooking implements
etc. There were recordings of their experiences and some film showing photographs
of the old shops and businesses in the area. A guide was there to answer questions
and after being shown the synagogue we were left to browse the various displays. It
was a very interesting afternoon which everyone enjoyed.

Carolyn Jones
Hon. Sec., Altrincham Interfaith Group)

On a lovely sunny afternoon, over 70 people from diverse faiths gathered at Blessed Thomas Holford Catholic College in Altrincham to share food and friendship. It was wonderful to see people from different faiths and cultures chatting together and sharing a most delicious tea brought by those attending.
Everyone was welcomed by the AIG Chair, Elinor Chohan, after which prayers were said by members of the Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Baha’i faiths before plates of sandwiches, savouries and cakes were brought in to enjoy. Then the Guest speaker, Dr Mona Dillon from the Baha’i community gave an address entitled “Different Religions – One Purpose” in which she stated the ideals of religion including forging good character, promoting the search for truth and betterment of the world by instilling compassion and tolerance. She said that true religion should be in harmony with science and stressed the oneness of humankind, thus invalidating all past notions of the superiority of any race, sex
or nationality. She emphasised the importance of the contribution of other religions and their prophets who awakened in whole populations the capacity to love, to forgive, to sacrifice for the common good and to discipline the impulses of humanity’s baser instincts.
The Baha’i faith has endeavoured to extend this and to build communities that are founded on the oneness of humanity, and to engage in social action with the aim of advancing society. Her final inspiring sentence was to quote the words of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Baha’i faith “The earth is but one country, and mankind its citizens”, something we could all do well to remember.
We were also privileged to hear Karen Wilson speak to us in her role as Deputy Lieutenant, “the Eyes and Ears of the Monarchy”. She noted how King Charles had described himself as Defender of all Faiths, rather than one, and pledged to protect multiple faiths in diverse communities. At his Coronation, he was greeted by representatives of other faiths – the first time this had happened, and he is continuing his vision of interfaith work. It is wonderful, she said, to have a Monarch that pushes forward with interfaith dialogue, and she described
the work of Altrincham Interfaith Group as being immensely powerful, and a force to help with change.
After those uplifting addresses, Elinor Chohan, AIG Chair, briefly described AIG activities over the past year and then Ann Angel, Vice-Chair, promoted future events and the afternoon came to an end. It really was a very inspiring day, enjoyed by all.

In conjunction with Wellington School and Greater Manchester Community Renewables (GMCR), AIG held this event on the evening of April 18th at Wellington Road School. It was attended by members of AIG, funders, the School and GMCR.

The evening began with a welcome by Richard Beeley, Headmaster of the School, who talked about the school’s experience of installing 1000 solar panels, a massive project which is already providing energy for the school. Gemma Tunstall, school Finance and Business Manager, then introduced 4 Wellington students, members of the School’s Eco Committee, who talked about their involvement with the project and also fund-raising to plant trees and help staff with recycling.

Kate Eldridge and Ali Abbas, both Directors of GMCR, explained that the Wellington School solar panel project was funded through community shares and will generate around 116,000 kw annually. Then School benefits from a reduced electricity rate, and can sell its excess energy to the grid, which will help fund the costs. Kate explained some important facts about embarking on this project, GMCR’s largest to date, which was completed in February 2024.

Ann Angel, Vice-Chair of AIG, thanked everyone and introduced three speakers: Richard Baker, freelance Climate Change and Sustainability consultant, Sukhbir Singh, member of AIG with experience of domestic energy modifications, and Kate Eldridge. Richard Baker explained how faith communities could help by, for instance, reducing their carbon footprint and by using smaller spaces for their services, and by individuals’ small actions such as eating less meat and not flying. Sukhbir Singh described his own experience of making his home eco-friendly, and stressed the importance of not cutting corners and doing plenty of research before starting the project.

There then followed a series of questions to a panel comprising Richard Baker, Kate Eldridge, Sukhbir Singh and Ali Abbas on several aspects of installing solar panels including the source of the panels (avoiding China), different forms of heating for churches to avoid gas usage (eg infra-red heating, ground source heat pumps), and the challenges of changing people’s behaviour. A Green Party local councillor urged people to engage with their local politicians, before the upcoming elections, to work for projects such as leasing school buildings for solar panels. After a wide-ranging discussion, Ann Angel closed the event, thanking all concerned for a most informative evening.
Dominique D’Arcy and Carolyn Jones