Coventry Faith Communities Olympics Faith Engagement

Not all the events of the Olympic Games are taking place in London. Other cities are hosting Olympic Events. Coventry is hosting several Olympic Football events. The Coventry Interfaith Network has been involved.

The City of Coventry will host several Olympics mens and womens football events, including quarter-finals. The City of Coventry has been preparing on a number of levels to host these events as a whole community.

The Coventry Interfaith Network in collaboration with the Hindu Council of the UK, have undertaken planning and delivering a Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Service in Coventry for visitors to the Olympics.

They have produed a leaflet which includes welcome messages from the main faiths in the City together with lists of Places of Worship where visitors could visit during their stay in Coventry;

Faith communities in Coventry have been working hard over the last few months to encourage faith community engagement with the 2012 Olympic Games at a community level. Members of Hindu Council together with other faith bodies have met regularly to develop plans on many areas - especially on issues around faith, in order to cater to the observations of practicing spectators and visitors. In addition, they have been busy planning a major event to be held at Broadgate Square to welcome visitors to the City.

The Interfaith Welcome to Coventry says:

As part of the London 2012 Games being staged in Coventry, faith communities have committed to creating the most diverse and inclusive Games ever in our City, involving all nine world faiths (Christian, Muslim, Hindu, Sikh, Jewish, Bahá’í, Jain, Buddhist and Zoroastrian) and those of non-faith, all being represented to welcome visitors to the City. There will also be a Chaplaincy Service assisting visitors involving over 40 Chaplains recruited from the faith communities.

Given the diverse communities residing in the City, faith communities felt that it is important for us to ensure that the London 2012 Games in Coventry are inclusive and involve all communities. A number of exciting projects and programmes have been planned during this time aimed at visitors to the City.

All our plans have been developed so that all faiths are represented. Everyone, whatever their religion or ethnic background, should feel they can play a part in the world’s greatest sporting event. This summer, during the London 2012 Games, we have a unique opportunity to champion faith communities and break down ethnic, cultural, religious, political and economic barriers through sport and provide a wide range of long lasting benefits to strengthen Coventry’s communities.

We hope you will appreciate our Multi- Faith initiative for the London 2012 Games in Coventry and we are sure you will also appreciate the friendly locals and volunteers, who will assist wherever they can. Organising and planning events of this nature and size cannot proceed without a dedicated team behind the scenes, largely invisible, but without whom things could not function as they should. I would like to take this opportunity to say a huge “Thank You” to everyone involved in the committee and sub groups for their efforts in making what was initially just a thought ... ... finally become a reality. Sanjay Jagatia, Chair of Faith Communities and Olympics (Coventry 2012)

An inter faith welcome event was conducted on Sunday 22nd July 2012 in Broadgate Square at the heart of the City Centre of Coventry called "Welcome to Coventry"

The Event at Broadgate Square was a time for celebration but alsoa time for reflection. It will highlight the core Olympic values - and a unique opportunity for ALL faiths in Coventry to showcase their spirit of love and looking after one another. Every Religion and Culture preaches respect and tolerance of each other and loving ourneighbours regardless of colour, class, creed or race. It is therefore important that these values enshrined in all our religious beliefs aredemonstrated for everyone to receive with open arms at the "Welcome to Coventry" Event.

The Welcome to Coventry event aspries to achieve the following aims and objectives:

• To promote the development of those physical and moral qualities that are the basis of sport and general life in Society;
• To educate people (especially the young, disadvantaged communities, and the elderly) through sport in a spirit of better understanding between each other and of friendship, thereby helping to build a better and more peaceful Society;
• To spread the Olympic principles throughout the communities in Coventry, thereby creating solidarity, goodwill and respect amongst each other;
• To bring together people of all Religions, Faith and Nationalities to celebrate the fact that Coventry has been selected as one of the venues hosting the 2012 Olympic Games.

There has never been a more important time than during the Olympic Games for peace and goodwill among all people.

Chaplaincy Service

For the entire period of the London 2012 Games in Coventry, the Coventry Interfaith Network have set up a “Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre” in the chateau-style Old Blue Coat School, which is located over the ruins of Coventry Cathedral and Priory of St Mary’s.

This unique and historic building is situated between Priory Row and the Priory Place in the City Centre.

At the "Multi-Faith Chaplaincy Centre", there will be prayer rooms, a lounge and specific "quiet" areas for visitors. Tea, coffee, juice and biscuits will also be available. We are here for you whether you’re someone who is looking for faith or who has no faith, someone who wants to find out where a particular place of worship is in the city, or just want to drop in for tea and coffee and meet friendly people.

Download Welcome to Coventry Booklet

Download Coventry Welcomes The World Poster

London 2012 Olympics Faith Logo

Source: Coventry 2012 Inspire Program

Photo Credit: Coventry Interfaith Network