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.