Interfaith Reception in Reading

Wed, 18 Nov 2015 19:00 in Community Engagement

Where: The Mayor’s Parlour, Reading Civic Centre, Bridge Street, Reading, RG1 2LU
Date: 18th November 2015
Time: 19:00

Speakers:

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Reading Cllr Sarah Hacker
Sarah Griffin, Former Chair of Reading Interfaith Group

Abstract

Inter Faith Week 2015 will take place from Sunday 15th to Saturday 21st November. The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Reading Councillor Sarah Hacker is hosting the Interfaith Reception which will help build good relationships and working partnerships between people of different faiths/beliefs and also increasing awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in Reading.

The Event Agenda :

- Welcome Speech by The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Reading Councillor Sarah Hacker

- Importance of Inter Faith events by Sarah Griffin

- Short Presentation about Dialogue Society and Noah's Pudding

- Comments & Questions & Answers

Noah's Pudding will be served as the refreshment of the event after the speeches. Traditionally during the Muslim Festival of Ashura a special dessert called Noah’s Pudding is prepared and shared with the neighbours. It symbolises the food that Prophet Noah made at the end of the flood.

Biography of Sarah Hacker

The Right Worshipful the Mayor of Reading Councillor Sarah Hacker was elected as Mayor of Reading on Wednesday 27 May 2015.

Sarah was born in Derby and moved to Reading when she was three. She went to Wilson Primary then Meadway Secondary where she gained 10 GSCEs and 3 A Levels. Sarah then decided to go to the University of Reading where she gained a BSc in Rural Environmental Science.

Sarah worked for Waitrose then joined Prudential which is where she met her husband, Marcel. In 2008 her role was transferred to Capita where she works as a Senior Pension Administrator. She also has a social media job for TotsBots, a cloth nappy company.

It was at Prudential where Sarah became a union rep for Unite (previously MSF and Amicus). As well as being a workplace rep, she is also a fully trained Learning Rep. Sarah has also been a member of the Labour Party since she was 16 and involved locally from a young age.

She married in 2005 and has two sons. The eldest was born in November 2007 and the youngest July 2010.

Sarah has lived in Reading, and Battle Ward specifically, almost her entire life. She now lives in the heart of the community she represents and enjoys being a councillor.

Biography of Sarah Griffin

Sarah Griffin is a Quaker and member or Reading Meeting. Her family background involved many Christian denominations and on the other hand she lived her childhood in Libya that led to respect for Islam.

Sarah is a teacher like her husband. She has 3 children and one grand daughter.

She is a former Councillor for Redlands Ward. Sarah was the Chair of Reading Interfaith Group until she stood down due to the health problems. Sarah set up Friendship Walks through the Reading Interfaith Group in response to 9/11.