At the committee meeting held on 15th September, we were delighted to be joined by Carmel Momen’s baby son, Dreyfus. It was his first ever committee meeting and his presence was marked by a degree of responsibility and co-operation well beyond his months.

The committee was pleased to welcome Dr. M.N. Nandakumara, President of the Indian Cultural Institute, to his first committee meeting since his recent co­option.

The meeting began with silent prayer in memory of our late President Rabbi Albert Friedlander. Albert was taken into hospital with chest pains on the evening of 7th July and died at 1 a.m. the next day, at the age of 77 years. The committee was represented at the funeral service on 11th July at Golders Green crematorium, and at the memorial prayers at the Westminster Synagogue the same evening. Albert was a staunch supporter of our work from the very earliest days, and his wise and gentle counsel will be sadly missed.

The Administrator, Trudie Charles, reported that the Week had been very well advertised in the diary of the national Network for Peace, and a report had been received from Watford Inter Faith on their local observance of the Week. Joyce Meadows added a report on the observance of the Week in Notting Hill, London. Supporters are asked to note that as the Bristol telephone number is not available at present, all telephone enquiries should be made to me on 01666 825249. Orders for leaflets should be sent by post to the Administrator WPWP, 23 St. Andrews Road, Bristol B56 5EG, together with the appropriate cheque. Our bank asks us to ask our supporters to make out their cheques to “The Week of Prayer for World Peace” in full, and not just to “WPWP”.

Much of the meeting was taken up with preparations for the two gatherings of prayer for peace which have been arranged for the Week of Prayer for World Peace this year. The first of these will be at Westminster Abbey on Sunday 1 7th October at 3 p.m. This will mark the thirtieth anniversary of the inauguration of the Week of Prayer for World Peace at a service in Westminster Abbey on 1 9th October 1974. This year’s service will be the Church of England’s order of Evening Prayer, with psalms, hynms, readings and prayers specially chosen to reflect the theme of the peace of the world. Members of our committee will be seated in the part of the Choir known as “The Lantern”, and copies of the Week of Prayer for World Peace prayer leaflet will be placed on the seats in the Abbey for members of the congregation to take away. The Abbey’s Peace Flame will be lit throughout the Week. I regret to say that car parking in Dean’s Yard will not be available, except for the disabled, for whom there may be spaces on application to the Dean.

The preacher at the Abbey service will be the Revd. Marcus Braybrooke, who is one of our sponsors, and also President of the World Congress of Faiths. Marcus has recently written a book called “Three hundred and sixty five meditations for a peaceful heart and a peaceful world”. This book offers ancient and contemporary wisdom and spiritual practices that affirm the choice of love in a world filled with fear. The book provides a meditation for each day of the year. Each meditation offers an inspiring quotation, usually from a leading spiritual teacher of Christian, Jewish, Muslim or other faith tradition, a story or reflection, and a suggestion for a related prayer or meditation. The special offer price is nine pounds 99p (RRP 12.99) from Liz Rowe, Hamlyn, 2-4 Heron Quays, London E14 4JP or order online at www.godsfieldpress.com.

All attending the prayer gathering on Sunday 24th October in the Havelock Road Gurdwara, Southall, are reminded hat the head is to be covered, and shoes are not to be worn. Suitable head coverings will be provided for those arriving without them. At the close of the gathering, all present are invited to share the Sikh communion meal “Prasad”, a warm sweet tasting pudding placed into the hands for eating. After the gathering, all are invited to share food from the communal kitchen.

The simplest way to travel to the Gurdwara is by rail to Southall Railway Station. Turn left outside the station and walk for five to ten minutes. For those coming by road, please note that Havelock Road is a one-way street running west to east. On reaching the Gurdwara, turn right into the underground car park. On leaving, turn right into Havelock Road. Turn right again at the end of the road and proceed on your way via Norwood Green.

Donations towards the cost of this newsletter can be made to our Treasurer, Mr. Norman Taylor, 98 Merewood Road, Bexleyheath DA7 6PQ. Other correspondence can be sent to me, the Revd. Sidney Hinkes, Secretary WPWP, 1 The Bungalow, Bremilham Road, Malmesbury SN16 ODQ Tel. 01666 825249.