Banbury Area R E Centre c/o The Methodist Church Marlborough Road BANBURY Oxfordshire OX16 5BZ

Resource Centre Opening times:

Monday & Thursday 3.00 p.m. - 5.00 p.m. during term time

Saturday 10.00 - 12.00 noon all year except Christmas and Easter week ends

Telephone during opening times only 01295 257193

Since the early 1970s Banbury Area Religious Education Centre (BAREC) has sought to spread knowledge about the major world religions and to dispel ignorance. It aims through its work to contribute towards the overcoming of prejudice and the development of understanding and mutual respect among people of all faiths and none in the town of Banbury and surrounding area.

BAREC operates from rented accommodation in The Methodist Church, Marlborough Road, Banbury. It is independent of any church affiliation. The Centre Manager organises a rota of volunteers to help open the centre regularly at the times listed. It houses a wealth of resources – videos, books, artefacts, posters, audio-cassettes – about each of the world faiths, religious education and collective worship. It seeks to help schools, faith communities and individuals resource Religious Education. It relies on membership for its day to day running costs. Corporate membership is £20, individual membership £10. New members/supporters are always welcome. Please e-mail, ring or call in during opening hours for a membership form. The Centre also seeks financial support from appropriate grant-awarding bodies. A committee (whose members are nominated/elected annually), comprising of people involved in religious education and members of different faiths, oversees the running of the Centre.

Over the past four years, BAREC has run a series of public inter-faith discussions, led by local representatives of each of the six major world faiths featured in our logo. The most recent have looked at the way our beliefs affect the way we live - especially focusing on our social responsibility. Larger meetings are held in The Wesley Room of the Methodist Church

The Centre runs termly ‘in-service’ or ‘in-house’ training sessions. A recent example is “Effective Collective Worship – How to involve the whole school – Ingredients and Examples”. Courses are usually in the early evening. Application forms are always available at The Centre and a small charge is levied.

For more information on what is happening in the Centre or to see what we have to offer, please do telephone or call in during opening hours only PLEASE.

Information correct as at October 2007