1. Presence & Engagement
Rev Canon Dr Arun John

2. United Benefice of St Stephen’s and St James Blackburn
Presence & Engagement
Rev Canon Dr Arun John
United Benefice of St Stephen’s and St James Blackburn

3. Presence & Engagement
A parish where 10% or more of the population is from a faith group other than Christianity.

4. St Stephen’s parish (north of Blackburn)
Not multi-faith but bi-faith;
Total population 4825;
Nearly 70% from other faith background (second highest proportion in diocese);
Majority are Sunni Muslims (many from conservative Deobandi and Maududi sects);
Deobandi theological college; madrassahs, mosques and independent Islamic schools;
St Stephen’s is the only Christian presence the area;
Also an area of multiple deprivation.

5. Understanding our context
Presence and engagement training “Pilgrim course”
Religious literacy
Establishing links with Mosque
Church primary schools
Community links
Getting to know our neighbours

6. Two church Primary Schools
About 95% children from Asian background (majority are Muslim and small minorities of Sikh, Hindu and Christian - often East European);
HT’s aim is for pupils to have “first hand encounter with Christian faith”;
Christian values embedded in whole school;
Collective worship;
Whole school in church each term.
Curate’s engagement in school.

7. Understanding the Muslim faith
Theological input:
Islam is a missionary faith;
Revelation of God: The Qur’an or Jesus;
Jesus of the Qur’an is not the Jesus of the Bible.

8. Practicalities of witnessing
clash of cultures
food/drink/alcohol
Dress code/modesty
gender roles (especially in conservative cultures)
know your own faith and scriptures!

9. Curate’s experience Engagement in school Religiously literate children
Staff ?
Language/songs
Recognise points of similarity & divergence in faith
Welcome, hospitality
Community and care of neighbour (Joan’s story)
Ministry among women
Don’t stereotype!

10. Inter-generational tea, cake and conversation

11. Standing together and praying as a community after the Manchester Arena Bombing May 2017

12. Conclusion
&
Any Questions?