In Memoriam: The Rev. John Clifford
The International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) is deeply saddened to share the news of the death of the Rev. John Clifford.
John was a dedicated internationalist, a passionate advocate for peace, and a universally respected leader within the Unitarian movement. His commitment to interfaith understanding and his service to our organization spanned decades, leaving a lasting mark on colleagues across Europe and the United Kingdom.
A Devoted IARF Activist
John’s connection to the IARF was profound and hands-on. Born in the USA, he eventually settled in the UK, but his vision was always global. From 1983 to 1986, John served directly on the IARF staff at our former headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany.
Long-time IARF colleagues Lucie Meijer (Dutch Chapter) and Dorothee Gehrmann (German Chapter) shared this reflection on his time with the secretariat:
John Clifford, a Unitarian minister from the UK, joined the IARF Staff at headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany, from 1983–1986. He moved with his family to live in Offenbach and cycled each day to the IARF office in Frankfurt, where he took care of publicity.
He was involved in organizing the IARF Peace Vigil in Utrecht, Netherlands, in 1985, during the IARF Peace Conference Europe. He edited the Conference Declaration on ‘Peace – our commitment to the future’. It could be said that he was a faithful and devoted IARF activist and competent helper at IARF conferences and congresses, before as well as after his years on the staff of the IARF international secretariat.
A Life of Ministry and Service
Born in the United States, John discovered Universalism while in secondary school. After training for the ministry, he moved to Britain, where he was naturalised in Scotland in 1975. He served as the minister of Glasgow Unitarian Church from 1975 to 1983, immediately prior to his service with the IARF in Frankfurt.
Upon returning to the UK, his dedication to the movement continued to grow. He served the British General Assembly (GA) of Unitarian and Free Christian Churches with distinction, holding the roles of Deputy General Secretary, Executive Committee member, President of the Ministerial Fellowship, and President of the General Assembly.
His commitment to internationalism remained a core part of his work; from 2005 to 2009, he served as the Executive Secretary of the International Council of Unitarians and Universalists (ICUU).
In his later years, he remained a beloved figure in Scotland as an associated minister at St Mark’s Unitarian Church in Edinburgh. Friends there remember him for his “thoughtful presence, gentle friendship, and deep care for the life of the congregation.”
Philosophy, Personality, and “The Web of Life”
John was a man of deep intellect and broad interests. He described his personal philosophy as centered in “empirical process philosophy,” blending liberal Christianity, Buddhism, and a deep appreciation for “the web of life.” He viewed religion not just as philosophy, but as a community base where spiritual development finds expression in practical ethical actions.
He embraced life fully. Beyond theology, he was known for his love of stamp collecting, astronomy, and linguistics. Having fully adopted his Scottish home—often evidenced by his wearing of the kilt—he was also an enthusiast of piping and Scottish Country Dancing.
Remembering a Friend
His presence was a staple at gatherings, blending serious commitment with warmth. Derek McAuley, Chair of the IARF British Chapter, reflected:
John was committed to IARF and always attended our workshop at the British Unitarian Annual Meetings. We will miss his wry humour and his American-Scottish twang!
A Lasting Legacy
John passed away shortly after attending the induction of the new minister at St Mark’s, remaining active and supportive of his community to the very end.
We give thanks for John’s life, his ministry, and his tireless work for peace in Europe and beyond. The IARF sends its heartfelt condolences to his wife, Barbara, their five children and eight grandchildren, and his many friends in Glasgow, Edinburgh, and the international community.
He will be greatly missed.
Watch “Levels of Dialogue: Religious Experience in an Interfaith Context”
In this session, recorded on 13 November 2023 during Inter Faith Week, the British Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom, in collaboration with the World Congress of Faiths, embarked on a deep exploration of interreligious dialogue’s dynamic tension between the unique characteristics of different faiths and their universal connections.
The event, held via Zoom, provided a platform for participants to engage with the complex interactions between various religious origins, developmental paths, belief systems, and spiritual practices, highlighting the potential for a familial resemblance among diverse faith traditions.
Featuring a keynote by the Reverend Canon Dr. Alan Race, Chair of the World Congress of Faiths and editor of Interreligious Insight, this recording offers invaluable insights into the challenges and opportunities presented by interfaith dialogue.
Dr. Race, a retired Anglican priest-theologian with an extensive background in the theology of religions and interreligious dialogue, shares perspectives from his latest book, My Journey as a Religious Pluralist (Wipf and Stock, 2021), enriching our understanding of how religious experiences and dialogues intersect with the broader quest for mutual understanding and respect among faiths.
Join us in this recorded session to explore the intricate landscape of interfaith dialogue, where the particularities of each religion meet the universal quest for spiritual connection and understanding.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzH6Yo58Gxg
Levels of Dialogue: Religious Experience in an Interfaith Context
Join us on Zoom on 13 November
All are invited to attend this joint Event of the British Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom and the World Congress of Faiths to mark Inter Faith Week on 13 November 2023 from 18.30-20.00 (UK time) on Zoom. You can register for the event and obtain the Zoom link here.
The Theme
Religions have different origins, developmental pathways, belief systems, and spiritualities. Yet there remains the possibility of a family resemblance between them. This tension or ambiguity inherent in the dynamic of ‘particularity in relation to universality’ is explored, argued over, and negotiated through interreligious dialogue. This talk rehearses some of the factors involved in how the reality of religious experience might be related to the demands and outcomes of dialogue as such.
Our Speaker – Revd Canon Dr Alan Race
The Revd Canon Dr Alan Race is Chair of the World Congress of Faiths and the editor of its journal ‘Interreligious Insight’, a retired Anglican priest-theologian, and the author of books and articles on the themes of theology of religions and interreligious dialogue. His most recent book is ‘My Journey as a Religious Pluralist’ (Wipf and Stock, 2021).
5 July 2021: Beyond Religion: Faith, Environment and Justice, meeting with Don De Silva.
The British Chapter of the International Association for Religious Freedom (IARF) will host a special open online meeting at 2pm UK time on Monday 5 July 2021.
Don De Silva, Former Senior Official at UN Environment Programme, University Buddhist Chaplain and Council Member of the Faith Forum for London, will talk on the topic of “Beyond Religion: Faith, Environment and Justice” followed by a Q&A.
The meeting will be held on Zoom. You can join here.
About the speaker
Don de Silva is an environmentalist, journalist, author, life coach, Buddhist Chaplain, and trainer. He worked as a Senior Official with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). He has implemented global effective campaigns to promote sustainability and climate change issues and has participated in creating new forms of environmental diplomacy.
He was part of a team at the UNEP Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific, which facilitated the creation of the South Asian Co-operative Environment Programme (SACEP), the first-ever inter-governmental body in the region.
In the late 1980s, he worked at the London-based International Institute for Environment and Development’s Earthscan programme, where he led a programme to train environmental NGOs in developing countries in advocacy, media and campaigning.
In the UK, he also worked with business ventures to help those from disadvantaged communities to establish small and medium-sized businesses.
A mindfulness trainer, he focusses on the Buddhist foundations of mindfulness, particularly its relevance to sustainable living. At universities, he delivers sessions on areas, such as mindfulness and confidence building, reducing stress and anxiety, mindful learning and speaking.
He combines his skills in creating, managing and implementing value-based solutions to critical issues, through trust-building, conflict resolution, mindfulness and transformational change. He is firmly committed to the Buddhist emphasis that that societal change has to start with oneself.
In the UK, he has created a national network, which enables faith-based community organisations to work together, share experiences, launch joint initiatives, sustain common action to counter disintegration. He firmly believes that we need to think beyond faith, religion and beliefs to tackle issues like climate change.
Currently, he also lectures regularly on issues, such as: COVID-19 and Climate Change; Buddhism, Environment, Advocacy and Change; and Buddhism and Governance.
British Chapter meeting: EME Conference and Week of Prayer for World Peace
On Thursday 20 October, at Essex Unitarian Church in Kensington, London, the British Chapter and the Peace Commission of the IARF hosted a report on the August Europe and Middle East IARF Conference in Macedonia, Religion and Conflict Prevention.
Speakers were former IARF International Council member Dr. Shlomo Alon from Israel and Derek McAuley, chair of IARF Europe and Middle East. Here you can learn more about the conference.
After a tea break, participants sat in a circle and each did a reading from the 2016 Week of Prayer for World Peace, 16 -23 October.
The British Chapter Annual Meeting will be held at 1 PM, Saturday, 10 December 2016 at Essex Hall. IARF President, Wytske Dijkstra, will be present and the speaker will be John Kinahan.
(Photo courtesy of Rev Sarah Tinker)
IARF Congress 2014 registration form
Please use the form in the link below to register if you have any problems with the automated registration.
Simply download and fill in the form, and email to hq [at] iarf.net.
IARF-Congress-2014-offline-registration-form
We will then invoice you through PayPal.
For this payment you will not need a PayPal account – only a credit or debit card..
Thanking you for your patience…
For registration by post (payment by cheque), please download, print out, fill in, and post this form:
IARF Congress 2014 offline registration form CHEQUES (PDF 2 pages)
Hotels near Birmingham university campus
Recommended off-campus accommodation for IARF Congress 2014
1 mile from Selly Oak Railway Station (which is a 15-minute walk from campus, and 5 minutes by train to city centre)
Set within 10 acres of peaceful gardens and woodland, former home of the famous chocolatier and Quaker, George Cadbury…
3-star historic, 5-minute taxi drive from campus, city centre & New Street Station
2-star Victorian house set in quiet grounds in Selly Park; 15 minutes walk to campus
Impressive Victorian hotel in the vibrant Irish Quarter, 10-minute walk from city centre & New Street Station. Offers traditional home-cooked food and free Wi-Fi
4-star modern, 5 minutes’ drive from Birmingham city centre & New Street Station
Congress 2014 – post-Congress visit, Belfast
Organised for after the Congress closes:-
(You can indicate your interest on the registration form, and we will contact you by email with further details).
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Peace-making in Northern Ireland
A four-nights visit to Northern Ireland to learn about the peace process there, at Larne near Belfast.
Cost: £200, payable in advance at this page.Peacemaking in Northern Ireland (PDF two pages – itinerary with links)
Flying to Belfast immediately after Congress ends, on Wednesday 27 August, returning on Sunday 31 August (four nights).
Numbers are limited to 15.Your flight booking: The cost of the flight is not included in the £200 tour fee. You will have to book your own flight, and to Belfast International (by EasyJet) rather than Belfast City Airport (by FlyBe), as Belfast International Airport is closer to your destination of Larne.
The optimal flight from Birmingham is the EasyJet 19:50, arriving Belfast International at 20:55
Optimal return flight on Sunday 31 August is the EasyJet 16:35 from Belfast International, arriving Birmingham at 17:35
Price approximately £60 (at 16 June 2014).
Coaches to and from Birmingham
The most convenient way to get to Birmingham from London Heathrow airport (LHR) is by coach, from Heathrow Central Bus Station (CBS), using the main national coach operator, National Express.
They have a desk at the CBS which will help put you on the correct bus (and change your ticket for the next one if you miss the bus you’re aiming for).
The Central Bus Station is open 24 hours a day and there is a Travel Centre open from 06:00 to 22:30.
Tickets for all coaches can be bought from the Travel Centre, or booked in advance with the operator.
You may also be able to buy a ticket from the bus driver, subject to availability.
However – IMPORTANT NOTE: You will arrive during a Bank Holiday (national holiday) weekend, so coaches may be fuller than usual.
So we recommend that you book in advance, using this National Express page:
http://www.nationalexpress.com/coach/airport/heathrow-airport/index.html
(for your Birmingham destination, choose “Coach Station”)
Where to catch your coach depends on which of the five LHR terminals you arrive at:
Terminals 1 and 3: All coach services call at the Central Bus Station, which is a short walk from the terminals and has lifts, escalators and moving walkways to help with the journey.
Terminal 4: Coaches arrive and depart from Stops 13 and 14 outside the terminal, at Arrivals level.
Free transfers to the Central Bus Station from Stop 7.
Terminal 5: Coaches arrive and depart from Stops 13-16, outside the terminal at Arrivals level.
Free transfers to the Central Bus Station from Stops 8 and 9.
On arrival at Birmingham Coach Station, please find a taxi and ask for University Edgbaston campus, and specify your lodging (either Conference Park, or The Vale, Mason Hall).
Congress 2014 Evening Visits to Faith Centres
Please see this itinerary:
IARF Congress 2014 – Worship Centres Visits programme (PDF 3 pages)