On Sunday, June 2nd, Metropolitan Jerome attended the Dialogue Society‘s annual Iftar Dinner at the Grand Hotel, Brighton. The dinner in partnership with Brighton and Hove City Council, Community Works, Trust for Developing Communities, Brighton and Hove Interfaith Contact Group, and the Brighton and Hove Muslim Forum was titled “Unity within Diversity”.
During the table discussion about “Unity”, Metropolitan Jerome suggested that organic unity grew from mutual trust and understanding, adding the best way that may be accomplished is through taking the time and making the effort to get to know each other. Later, again addressing all present and after prayers offered by ministers of other religions, His Grace recited the words of St John the Evangelist, “God is love, and they that live in love, live in God and God lives in them” [cf 1 John iv:16] stating that it was his prayerful intention that all present should manifest “love” for each other.
Speakers
Mahmut Gunaydin, Brighton Branch Director, Dialogue Society
Peter Field, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant For East Sussex
Cllr Alan Robins, Deputy Mayor of Brighton &Hove City Council
Cllr Nancy Platts, Leader of Council For Brighton & Hove City Council
Kerim Balci, Project Coordinator, Dialogue Society
Jenny Skelton, Chair And Founder of Disability Pride
Imam Uthman Jeewa, Imam of Al Medinah Mosque
Peter Kyle, MP For Hove And Portslade
Lloyd Russell-Moyle, MP For Brighton, Kemptown
Gulistan Arslan, Trustee, Time To Help UK
Violet Hancock, High Sheriff of East Sussex
Faith Leaders
Rev Anthea Ballam, Brighton and Hove Interfaith Contact Group
Rabbi Elli Tikvah Sarah, Brighton and Hove Progressive Synagogue
Rev Andrew Wingate, Interfaith Advisor of Chichester Diocese
The Most Rev Jerome Lloyd, The Titular Archbishop of Selsey
Ahmad Yabroudi, Chair of Sussex Syrian Community Group