OneSpirit on InterFaith Network Closure

Feb 19, 2024

Dear OneSpirit Community,

As many of you may be aware, the Inter Faith Network for the UK (IFN), which has significantly contributed to interfaith understanding and cooperation since 1987, faces the sad reality of closing down.

This decision, taken by the IFN Board, comes after a prolonged period of financial uncertainty and complex challenges which have made their vital work unsustainable.

Despite receiving a provisional funding offer from the government, as well as generous support from the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, individual donors, and member organisations, the IFN has reached a point where the absence of a finalised Grant Funding Agreement and further financial assurance has led to the necessary yet regrettable commencement of their closure process.

Reflecting on our Shared Mission

Here at OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation, we acknowledge the extensive work IFN has done over the years, resonating deeply with our own mission of fostering harmony and understanding across diverse faiths and beliefs. We recognise the significant gap its closure will create, and we send our solidarity and gratitude to the trustees, staff, volunteers, and supporters of IFN.

Looking to the Future

The closure of the IFN is not just a loss but also a call to action for interfaith communities across the UK. We eagerly invite our community to contribute thoughts and ideas regarding the continuation of IFN’s legacy.

A few suggestions that we know are needed include: 

  • Forming new or strengthening existing local interfaith bodies
  • Considering support structures via other organisations
  • Offering volunteer resources where professional support falls short
  • Developing strategies to uphold the vital tradition of Inter Faith Week

We understand the foundational role of professional staff in facilitating the work that has earned IFN’s trusted reputation. In these changing times, we also recognise the potential of volunteer efforts to sustain the spirit of their work moving forward.

Your Voice is Valuable

OneSpirit Interfaith Foundation is committed to supporting the transition and evolution of interfaith work in the aftermath of IFN’s closure. We ask for your reflections, suggestions, and innovative ideas to carry forward the torch of interfaith collaboration.

How has IFN’s work impacted you? We invite you to share your experiences! This reflective period is ideal for sharing the positive essence of their message. Being an interfaith organisation, IFN has vastly enriched our perception of harmony and extended the scope of the interfaith message.

In Unity and Peace, Always

Thank you for your continued support, engagement, and shared belief in the power of interfaith dialogue and understanding. As we process this change, we look ahead with resolve to build new pathways for connection in honour of the legacy IFN leaves behind.

Demystifying Interfaith: Expanding the Sacred to Include Every Path

True listening isn’t about waiting our turn, it’s a loving gesture of presence. In interfaith spaces, listening deeply creates space for stories, identity, grief, joy. It’s not about understanding perfectly, but about saying, “I’m here with you,” and offering connection as an act of love.

Listening is Love

True listening isn’t about waiting our turn, it’s a loving gesture of presence. In interfaith spaces, listening deeply creates space for stories, identity, grief, joy. It’s not about understanding perfectly, but about saying, “I’m here with you,” and offering connection as an act of love.

Lessons from a Luminous Life

Reflecting on Nicola Coombe’s luminous life, we remember her quiet presence, fierce love, and deep reverence for the mystery of being human. From making space in our days to speaking truth with care, her embodied wisdom continues to guide us in ministry, service, and connection.

In the Season of Light: A Solstice-Inspired Reflection

The Summer Solstice invites us to pause, reflect, and honour the light within and around us. Through ritual, journaling, and presence, we reconnect with nature, celebrate growth, and welcome the turning of the seasons.

10 Things I Wish I’d Known Before Making Spirituality My Career

Rev April Kling shares 10 honest lessons from her spiritual career so far, filled with warmth, insight, and encouragement for anyone considering a soul-led path.

What if my life was an act of reverence?

What if your whole life was an act of reverence? In this poetic reflection, OneSpirit student Andrew Jones explores how deep attention, presence, and love can transform the everyday into the sacred.

Women’s History Month: Indigenous Women Leaders

Indigenous women have long been central to the spiritual and cultural life of their communities, yet their leadership has often been overlooked. From ancient traditions to contemporary movements, women are reclaiming spiritual authority and revitalising practices passed down through generations. In communities such as the Lakota and Haudenosaunee, women have historically held positions of spiritual leadership, and today, figures like Winona LaDuke and Tiana Ngata continue to lead efforts to preserve and strengthen Indigenous spiritual practices. As these women reclaim their rightful roles, they ensure that Indigenous spirituality remains a powerful force in today’s world.

Women’s History Month: Women in Spiritual Traditions

Women have played a crucial role in shaping spiritual traditions, from revered figures like Kuan Yin and Táhirih to trailblazing leaders such as Harriet Tubman and Phyllis Curott. Despite facing exclusion, women continue to reclaim leadership roles and push for gender equality within spiritual communities, ensuring traditions remain inclusive and vibrant. This Women’s History Month, we honour their resilience and lasting influence.

Introducing the Cherry Tree Pathway

The Cherry Tree Pathway is our new blended learning programme, offering a mix of online and in-person experiences for those seeking a flexible approach to spiritual development.

Redefining Interfaith

We celebrate a new, inclusive vision of interfaith, one that welcomes all spiritual paths, honoring the richness of personal experience beyond traditional religions.

Demystifying Interfaith: Moving Forward

Interfaith dialogue goes beyond religious boundaries, embracing diverse spiritual and secular perspectives. This inclusive approach fosters understanding and respect for all paths.