Urge the Prime Minister to put people hardest hit at the heart of COP26 Climate Talks

This year, the UK will host the largest gathering of world leaders ever to take place on British soil: the ‘COP26’ climate talks.

As Prime Minister, Boris Johnson must push world leaders to show the ambition we need to keep temperature rises below the disastrous 1.5-degree threshold. This means that all countries must play their part. Wealthy nations, who bear the greatest responsibility for the crisis, need to step up.  

With the eyes of the world on the UK, we must urge the Prime Minister to make sure communities hardest hit by the climate emergency are listened to at COP26.

Sign the petition now

Building community confidence in Covid 19 vaccinations: Role of Community Leaders

Dear All

 In order to help build community confidence in the vaccination programme, CCG colleagues have offered some early slots for faith and community leaders to be vaccinated at the L&D Hospital tomorrow (Wednesday 27th Jan) and Thursday (28th January).

If you are able to support in this way, please can you email me back directly at marek.lubelski@luton.gov.uk, ideally with a contact number, and any preferences for the day and time? You will also need to confirm and bring your NHS number to the vaccination centre.

We’d ask that you arrange for a photo or video to be taken of the vaccination, which you can use to promote in your networks and that we can share as part of the local campaign. More details on this will follow asap.

Many thanks for your support - we hope as many of you as possible will be able to take up this early offer to help address the concerns we know may be worrying some of our community.

Best regards

Marek Lubelski

Social Justice Manager
Policy, Community, Engagement

Luton Council
01582 548779
07876 034933

 LUTON CARES:  Collaborative, Ambitious, Respectful, Empowering and Supportive

Open Letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York

Dear Friends and Colleagues

 As we mourn the passing of over 100,000 of our neighbours due to Covid19, we may find comfort in coming together in reflection and prayer as suggested in the wonderful letter from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, which can be accessed at: 20210126 Letter to the nation.pdf (churchofengland.org)

Kindest regards

Helen Nellis

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire

Twitter  @LLieutenantBeds
07711289403

NEAR NEIGHBOURS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANTS are OPEN now!

NEAR NEIGHBOURS COVID-19 RELIEF GRANTS are OPEN now. Please see the Criteria & Guidance,  DRAFT application form with questions, Example budget sheet and check list for your information.

Alternatively, you can also see the criteria and download a copy of the questions and the budget template here. https://www.near-neighbours.org.uk/small-grants

Firstly, you need to contact Kim Greig on 07930 601640 or email near.neighbours-luton@btconnect.com regarding your project, to have a chat/zoom conversation about your grant application and project idea, after which if feasible, you will be given the LINK for the ONLINE APPLICATION FORM.

• We strongly encourage you to fill in and complete the word document (draft application), and when completed (feel free to email Kim Greig at near.neighbours-luton@btconnect.com the draft application for review) then you will need to copy and paste the answers on to the online application form (once again, the link for this is with Kim Greig, so please contact Kim to arrange a time to talk and receive the link).

• IMPORTANT - you will NOT be able to save your application part way through and come back to it, you will need to do it all in one go, so please complete the draft form fully, ready to copy and paste, ensure you have the required documents ready to attach, including your budget.

• IMPORTANT - If you applied for a grant in our NN last round of grant (successful or not), you CAN still apply for this Community Covid Relief grants.

• IMPORTANT - For these Covid Relief grants we do not ask for groups to work across different faith/ethnicities/cultures unlike our normal NN grants programme.

• IMPORTANT - It will be a first come first serve basis, so although we do not have a deadline, once our funds are gone, they're gone!

Near Neighbours London Office will aim to make a decision within 2 weeks and communicate this to you.

Any questions please contact Kim Greig on 07930 601640 or email near.neighbours-luton@btconnect.com as soon as possible.

Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue, WCC explore how to share more widely “Serving a Wounded World”

Gathering for an annual meeting from 19-20 January, the Pontifical Council for Inter-religious Dialogue and World Council of Churches Office of Inter-religious Dialogue and Cooperation discussed ways of sharing more widely the document “Serving a Wounded World in Inter-religious Solidarity: A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond,” which was co-produced by the two offices in 2020.

“This is the most recent of a series of joint publications that the two offices have produced during the course of more than forty years of ecumenical friendship and collaboration aimed at promoting inter-religious dialogue together,” reads a communique from the meeting.

Earlier documents focused on Inter-religious Marriage, Inter-religious Prayer, African Religiosity, Christian Witness in a Multi-Religious World, and Education for Peace.

The offices also expressed their ongoing commitment to grow in ecumenical communion as well as renew the common commitment to intensify their collaborative works in the realm of inter-religious dialogue by focusing on wider reception and implementation of the documents.

For more details, please see World Council of Churches Website

To read the full document, please click here; “Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity: A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond”

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity calls for the reconciliation and unity in the Church and the worldwide human family

The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity (WPCU) has been jointly organized by the World Council of Churches (WCC) and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity of the Roman Catholic Church since 1968 from the 18th to the 25th January every year.

This year, due to the pandemic, Churches Together in Luton has asked Christians to hold events online and show their support by adding the #wpcuwall to their Twitter posts.

 The theme for this year’s WPCU was “Abide in my love and you shall bear much fruit”. It is based on the Bible passage from the book of John 15:1-17. It calls for the reconciliation and unity in the Church and the worldwide human family.

Christian Aid as usual provided the “Go & Do” action points for each of the WPCU daily reflections – backing up prayers with actions for the relief of poverty and advocacy of justice. One such actions point was getting informed about and taking action on refugee and asylum issues and campaigns, which are bound up with many other issues of conflict, climate change and Coronavirus etc.

Bob Fyffe, General Secretary, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland said “The ancient rhythm of prayer is an important gift for the Church today struggling with pandemics and lockdowns and more widely with other serious challenges of climate change, racism and poverty. Thank you for joining us in this Week of Prayer for Christian Unity and entering into a place of community and blessing.”

A grim year but flashes of HOPE as we look ahead

Epiphany – a moment of revelation is a Christian feast that marks the end of the 12 days of Christmas and commemorates the three wise men's (Magi's) visit to Jesus.

Popular Epiphany customs include singing, chalking the door – having one's house blessed, consuming Three Kings Cake, removing Christmas decorations as well as attending church services, which is restricted for most due to the pandemic.

In an online event in Luton, Sr Maire Hayes, Inter Faith Coordinator for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton, recalled that last month the planets Jupiter and Saturn had appeared closer and brighter than they have been in 800 years. It was called a “great conjunction”.

She reflected ‘The Star of Bethlehem’ that guided the Three Wise men may have been such “a great conjunction”.

Is this telling us something in 2020, which may have been a grim year but we know there have been flashes of hope.

Let us reflect on what stars have shone for us last year. Who have guided us? What has thrown light in our path? What vision or values have held us steady, when we were not sure of the way ahead? What were our moments of Epiphany?

After visiting Jesus, the Wise men were told to return by ‘another road’, for the old way was no longer safe or sustainable.

What will be ‘another road’ for us in 2021? We know it cannot be business as usual. It is not sustainable for us and our environment.

Animo! Bon Courage! Be steadfast!

The Rosca de Reyes (Three Kings sweet bread) decorated with candied fruit, popular in Hispanic countries

Moral Questions over COVID Vaccinations

As governments and international organisations work together to determine who will get the COVID-19 vaccine first and how quickly, several faith organisations and leaders have raised moral questions in policy discussions around vaccine distribution.

 The World Council of Churches (WCC) & the World Jewish Congress (WJC) have released a joint paper asking for global equity in the distribution of available vaccines, ensuring those living in poorer countries are not excluded.

 Maram Stern, Executive Vice President WJC, said “The document is drafted in a spirit of interfaith dialogue and cooperation, drawing inspiration from our respective Jewish and Christian traditions, which have helped to guide us through this life-changing time.”

 The paper urges religious leaders of all faiths to “consider confronting publicly the unsubstantiated rumours and conspiracy myths which undermine public trust in health authorities and services and in tested and approved vaccines themselves – and that thereby threaten an effective public health response to the pandemic. In some cases, such conspiracy myths have an explicitly antisemitic basis which should in any event be denounced,” reads the paper.

 Zafar Khan, Chair of Luton Council of Faiths said, “We hope and anticipate that sooner rather than later, we shall be able to get the virus under control. Reflecting on the past twelve months’ challenges, we must feel confident in the fact that despite our human failings, we have God-given inner strengths and fellow feelings as the most effective means to keep going.”

In the New Year, we light a candle of HOPE for a better world and better life for all

Near Neighbours Luton - INTERFAITH WEEK - ZOOM - Stories of Hope Event

During the Interfaith week 2020, and we would like to bring people together. 

We are pleased to invite you to join our Near Neighbours Luton Zoom event - Stories of Hope: sharing of life, community, projects, people, engagement 2020, see poster attached.

If you are able to join us next Tuesday 10th November from 11-1pm then please let me know via email or phone and I will send you the zoom invite. 

This is a sharing opportunity, and each person can have up to 5 minutes to share/talk, please let me know if you would like a slot, feel free to join without speaking.

Look forward to hearing from you,

Best wishes,

Kim Greig

Near Neighbours Coordinator (Luton)

c/o Grassroots Programme

47, High Town Road,

Luton, 

Beds.

LU2 0BW.

Tel: 01582 416946 / 07930601640

Report of a visit by the President of the Methodist Conference

On the first Sunday in Lent, the President of the Methodist Conference, Rev. Dr Barbara Glasson, began her visit to the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District. In view of Barbara Glasson’s longstanding interest in promoting interfaith relations, it was fitting that her programme in the Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District included a visit to Luton to learn how faith communities in the town are working together to strengthen community cohesion. GRASSROOTS, started by Methodists more than 25 years ago and based at High Town Methodist Church, is widely respected for its ecumenical programme of community engagement. Here our co-ordinator, David Jonathan, and colleagues introduced the President to a few of the imaginative projects supported by Grassroots. Click the below link to read the full article!

https://www.behdistrict.org.uk/Articles/567114/BEH_District/features/Report_of_a.aspx?redirected=1

A Message Regarding Coronavirus...

Ever since the outbreak of pandemic Coronavirus, it is shocking to see how each one of us has had our lives and communities disrupted. There is constant advice on how to prevent and mitigate the risks and threats, but in such times of distress, self-isolation and social distancing, fear and panic is easier spread than Coronavirus.

On one hand we are recognising how much we need each other because we are created as social beings and on the other hand we see how when suffering bypasses race, gender, religion, and nation, leads us all into mutual solidarity.

We appreciate and admire all those in Luton working selflessly to reach out to those in need whether it is providing free meals for NHS staff, delivering supplies for elderly, cheering people online or serving people in any other way.

We remember the fragility of the most marginalized of people in prisons, homeless, refugees and our drivers, postmen, ambulances, nurses, doctors, risking their lives to keep society together.

May the spirit of our human solidarity continue to hold and sustain us through this difficult time and may it help us choose peace over panic, hope over hysteria and faith over fear. Let us hope this experience will force us remember eternally that love alone overcomes fear and that love is essential for survival of life in all its forms.

READ - A letter to Luton’s faith leaders from Luton Borough Council (click here)

World Day of Prayer 2020

Formerly called the Women's World Day of Prayer but now the World Day of Prayer drew millions together across 170 countries for a message of healing and comfort. The 2020 theme was “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” based on Christian Scripture Reading from the Gospel of John 5:2-9a. The reflections and ways to conduct prayer services and other events had been prepared by the World Day of Prayer Committee in Zimbabwe. Each year, materials are developed ecumenically and collectively within a certain country in coordination with the World Day of Prayer International Committee. This year service booklet read: “The peoples from the land of Zimbabwe welcome all. Zimbabwe means house of stones. We greet all in the language of the Shona people—Kwaziwai! (kwuz-WHY), and in language of the Ndebele people—Salibonani! (sah-li-bo-NA-nee).”

In a tradition that has continued since 1927, among many celebrations taking places around the world is one hosted by Luton Christians too. This year it was held at St Mary’s Church in which Luton Zimbabwean women expressed friendship and respect for others in a Zimbabwean traditional and cultural way. As makers of human fraternity, all who had gathered prayed for the world peace and our environment. People also reflected on all that hinder our transformation and what does “Rise! Take Your Mat and Walk,” mean for us in our own respective living and working contexts. All were invited to write down commitments to support our communities with actions of love, peace and reconciliation.

Bringing Science and Spirituality Together

In an unprecedented step to mitigate Covid-19 fears and anxieties affecting people’s mental health, Ryad Khodabocus, Head of Community Relations & Development at Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), and Jolel Miah, Founding Chair of Our Minds Matter have together produced Podcast on ‘Spirituality & Mental Health’ from different faiths perspectives, bringing science and spirituality together. 

Digital audio files can be downloaded FREE from https://anchor.fm/ourmindsmatter, to listen to guest speakers invited from different faiths, sharing how they apply spirituality to understand and manage mental health and overall well-being.

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis VE Day Address

Dear Friends,

Each year HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis holds a Service of Thanksgiving to honour the thousands of people who volunteer and who play such a significant role in building kind and cohesive communities.

The service this year had to be cancelled due to the COVID19 pandemic therefore the Lord-Lieutenant has created on online service to pay tribute to our volunteers and to the 75th Anniversary of VE Day as the county of Bedfordshire remembers with gratitude the formidable generation who sacrificed so much for peace.

The service can be viewed on YouTube at https://youtu.be/Urdq3JM2E0U and the Lord-Lieutenant very much hopes that you will take 30 minutes at some point today to watch the service so we can all be together in spirit, while viewing from your own homes.

Please feel free to forward this link to all your contacts so that everyone can join the Lord- Lieutenant in giving thanks and remembering.

The Lord-Lieutenant would like to record sincere thanks to Deputy Lieutenant Phil Fothergill for all his hard work in putting the service together and to all who appear in the service. We hope that you enjoy it.

Kind regards,
Lisa Hutchinson – on behalf of HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis

Daily Lockdown Activities and Mental Health Guidance

Click the links below to view some activity ideas and mental health guidance from Luton Council of Faiths for this challenging time of coronavirus:

Daily Lockdown Activity Planner

Supporting your Mental Health

Birthday Celebrations of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji

After the culmination of ‘Akhand Path’ (non-stop recitation of the Sikh Holy Scripture Shri Guru Granth Sahib) over a period of 48 hours, at Luton’s Guru Ravidass Bhawan, many dignitaries and community leaders joined in the auspicious birthday celebrations of Shri Guru Ravidass Ji, who was a great saint, philosopher, poet, social reformer and a prominent religious visionary of social equality during 14th and 15th century.

Through his spiritual devotion Guru Ravidass Ji was able to prove the essence of his beliefs and enhance the cause of equality, social freedom and justice for all. The princely courts were amongst his supporters, many of whom eventually became his disciples. Forty of his ‘shabads’ (sacred sayings) are included in the Sikh Holy Scripture.

Throughout the 48 hours of celebrations ‘Guru ka Langar’ (communal meal) was served, which is a remarkable commitment of those serving in the kitchen. Guests, visitors and worshippers feel nurtured physically as well as spiritually. Alongside the melodious ‘Kirtan’ (devotional singing), dignitaries were also invited to speak. Every one appreciated Luton’s Ravidassia community’s efforts to outreach and serve the wider community.

High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Meryl Dolling presented awards to many volunteers for their services. The former MP for Luton North Kelvin Hopkins was given a special honour for his support and encouragement to the community for over three decades.

In her message Sr Maire Hayes, Inter Faith Coordinator for Catholic Diocese of Northampton working with GRASSROOTS, quoted a famous Catholic theologian and thinker Hans Kung saying; No peace among the nations without peace among the religions. & No peace among the religions, without dialogue between the religions

She said, in Luton, we are fortunate that we have organisations like GRASSROOTS & LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS, which regularly brings people from different religions to dialogue over issues affecting our lives in this town. She congratulated the Committee and the Office Bearers of Guru Ravidass Temple for taking active part in the process of working together for peace and unity in our town.

Fairtrade Cake Baking Competition a Great Success!

During this year’s Fairtrade Fortnight held from 24th Feb to 8th March 2020, the Luton Fairtrade Steering Group, GRASSROOTS & LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS joined hands with St Christopher's Church (Round Green) for the second time, for a Fairtrade Cake Baking Competition. Contestants from across diverse backgrounds and age groups participated in the competition. The cakes were presented with recipe and the packaging as evidence of fairtrade ingredients used.

Everyone present tasted a variety of cakes and marked the score sheets. Later 3 prizes were given for the ‘Best Sponge Cake’, the ‘Best Fruit Cake’ and the second highest scoring cake for its presentation and taste. Two of the prizes were given in the memory of the Late Mr Natu Bhai Solanki, who was the Vice Chair of LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS and the Late Ms Maureen Borbone, a Catholic committed Fairtrade activist and Campaigner, who was also one of the Trustees of GRASSROOTS.

In her welcome address, Revd Anne Crosby, Vicar of St Christopher’s Church said it is good that we can respond to God’s call to love one another and love God’s creation in this way too. Later Cllr Tahmina Saleem invited all to attend the Deputy Mayor’s Fairtrade Afternoon Tea in the Luton Town Hall on 11th March from 2-5pm and she also invited the Fairtrade Cake Bakers, particularly the Winners, to bring in their Cakes, if they wished to.

It is great that Luton Borough Council has also issued a Press Release in support of Fairtrade, which can be found here:

https://lutonbcouncil-newsroom.prgloo.com/news/luton-celebrates-fairtrade-fortnight-1

Fairtrade Cake Baking Competition

If you are a budding baker or just want to give it go - why not enter our Fairtrade Cake Baking Competition?

You are invited to bring your cake, its recipe and the fairtrade packaging as evidence of any fairtrade ingredients you may have used in the baking of your cake on:

• Date: Saturday 29th February 2020

• Time: 2pm

• Place: St Christopher's Church Hall on Felix Avenue, off Stockingstone Road, Luton, LU2 7LE

You are welcome even if you are not a baker - you get to taste the variety of cakes!

For parking, the best option is Round Green Pay & Display Car Park, Ramridge Rd, Luton LU2 0TQ - OR - you can park in the neighbouring streets, but please do take good care of not blocking anyone's entrance. Alternatively, you can try finding the car park at the back of Jolly Topers Pub & Restaurant.

We look forward to seeing you there - with best wishes for the bakers as well as for the tasters!

Download full invite here.

CRCW (Church Related Community Work) Project Finale Event

You are invited to the CRCW (Church Related Community Work) Project Finale Event:

on

15th February 2020 at 2pm for 2:30pm start

At Holy Ghost Catholic Church, 33, Westbourne Road, Luton LU4 8JD

(Parking is available within the Church premises)

RSVP: GRASSROOTS, 47 High Town Road, Luton, Beds. LU2 0BW

Phone: 01582 416946 / Text: 07886 350 854 / Email: jgrassroots@btconnect.com

DOWNLOAD INVITATION HERE!

International Women's Day 2020 (Women Only Event)

Precious Pearls - Celebrating Women Across Faiths & Cultures

Theme: “Women Caring for Mother Earth”

Date: 5th March 2020

Time: 6.30pm – 8.30pm

Venue: High Town Methodist Church Hall, 47 High Town Road, Luton LU2OBW

Parking - Wenlock St - LU2 0NN - FREE AFTER 6.00pm

The evening is about sharing the talents of Luton women, meeting women from different backgrounds, enjoying with multi-cultural entertainment and refreshments are also provided.

Please let us know by 28th February 2020 if you would like to attend.

Contact: Ghar se Ghar or Grassroots Tel: 01582 416946

Email: gharseghar@btconnect.com

DOWNLOAD POSTER HERE!