Celebrating Contributions of the Windrush Generation - 2nd Oct'21 at 3pm

To coincide with the start of Black History Month UK (BHM), a celebration to honour the contribution of the Windrush generation event will take place  at All Saints Church, Shaftesbury Rd on Saturday 2nd October 2021 beginning with a service of celebration at 3.00pm.

The event will be hosted by co-organisers Jenny Lyons and Erica Gordon, who both have strong connections with both the church and the local community.

Speakers – Pastor Vincent Cox, Dwaine Brooker ( friend of Stephen Lawrence and Windrush campaigner), Rt Revd Richard Atkinson, Bishop of Bedford. Music from Upmass Gospel choir and musicians from COGIC.

After the service, the event will continue throughout the afternoon with food and refreshments in the church hall where it will give guests an opportunity to chat and view exhibitions capturing the contributions of the Windrush generations to the present day.  There will also be a chance to donate to local charities/church via the raffle competition.

All Saints Church, Shaftesbury Road, Luton, Beds. LU4 8AH.

Look out and listen for posters and local interviews.

Numbers may be limited if covid restrictions require this.

Booking is preferred via eventbrite – details to follow shortly.

Parking is only available for contributors.

Our River Project - Luton

Hi!

My name is Maureen Weekes and I am working as the participation coordinator with Luton Council for the Our River project.

The council is currently working with The People’s Picture to create ‘Our River’, a COVID-19 memorial which will include images of those lost to the pandemic, of the moments of joy that were found during this difficult time and of people who have and continue to support the tremendous effort to look after those affected by the virus, such as those working for emergency services, care homes, community groups and volunteers.

‘Our River’ will be both a public art piece and a digital record. A photomosaic, reflecting the course of the River Lea through our town will be erected on the Bute-street facing Mall wall, providing a welcoming and bright entrance to our town. The digital artwork will enable local people and loved ones across the world to read the stories behind the images submitted. More information can be found at www.ourriver.uk

We would really appreciate if you could publicise this project within your organisation and amongst the community. We really would like as many people as possible to be included in this memorial and for it to be a truly representative picture of what the pandemic has meant to the people of Luton, showing the vital role of communities coming together and the civic pride there is in the town.

There are two ways to get involved. Anyone can access the portal on the website and upload any images and stories themselves. Please visit www.ourriver.uk to do this.

Or if preferable, I’m happy to speak to anyone that would like further information or a presentation and or just help taking photos and having them and the stories uploaded to the project site.

If you would like to know more, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Kind regards

Maureen

Freelancer
Writer/Communities/Workshops/Training

Partner Projects:
* Luton Council & The People's Picture - Our River
* Light Of The World Ministries International
* Thamesmead Community Fund

www.ourriver.uk

Local Support for Afghan Refugees

http://lutonchurchestogether.org.uk/local-support-for-afghan-refugees-drop-off-points-wanted-meeting-7-sept/

Local Support for Afghan Refugees

You are invited to a meeting on 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 September at All Saints Church on Shaftesbury Road.

Various people are asking if and how they can support Afghan refugees in the wake of the terrible events there. It’s an emerging situation so we can’t tell you too much at this point. We’ll send out more as soon as we can, but for now there are estimated 300 people in Luton hotel Including 171 children and they need laundered adult clothing and shoes - all sizes, phone chargers and cables and USA/UK Adaptors

Contact number for offers of donations is 07517851382.

Also in the last year Revs David Kesterton and Jo Burke at All Saints church have been doing a lot of work with asylum seekers. Other groups like Luton Foodbank, Discover Islam, Courtney Foundation, etc have also been supporting a lot, along with Care for Calais.

Find more info from Luton Borough Council on www.Luton.gov.uk Facebook or @lutoncouncil on Twitter.

Many different groups are looking to see how they might work together under the banner of Luton as a City of Sanctuary, a national movement that has been very active over the past ten years in supporting refugees https://cityofsanctuary.org

You are invited to discuss this at a meeting on 7.30pm on Tuesday 7 September at All Saints Church on Shaftesbury Road.

http://lutonchurchestogether.org.uk/local-support-for-afghan-refugees-drop-off-points-wanted-meeting-7-sept/

For Worship resources on the theme of refugees, migration and sanctuary, please visit

https://ctbi.org.uk/god-with-us/

For Worship resources on the theme of refugees, migration and sanctuary, please visit

https://ctbi.org.uk/god-with-us/

Run, walk, jog, dance for charity!

Near Neighbours is supporting Faith & Belief Forum’s (F&BF) recently launched project - London Interfaith Fun Run. 

After a challenging year, (F&BF) are excited to be bringing the community together to run, walk, jog or dance for a Connected London. F&BF are holding this event on Monday 30th August, and there are virtual options for people to get involved remotely.

F&BF very much hopes that people will join them for this event.

Run, walk, jog, dance for charity! 

This event provides a special opportunity to fundraise for a charity of your choice: perhaps this is the Faith & Belief Forum, one of the other 30+ charities partnering on this event, or another charity close to your heart.

Participants are invited to complete 1K, 5K, 10K, or all three, at our event on Monday 30th August, or by running in your local area.  Participants will be supported to fundraise for a charity of their choice, and will receive a tshirt and medal in recognition of their efforts. 

SIGN UP HERE TO RUN FOR CHARITY

SIGN UP HERE TO VOLUNTEER FOR THE FUN RUN ROUTES

  READ MORE ABOUT THE LONDON INTERFAITH FUN RUN 

Copyright © 2021 The Faith & Belief Forum, All rights reserved.

The Faith & Belief Forum

Star House

104 Grafton Road

London, London NW5 4BA

United Kingdom

FREE "Diverting to Digital" ONLINE workshops

A limited number of FREE "Diverting to Digital" ONLINE workshops are being offered by Near Neighbours Programme in the next 2-3 months.

Should you have a group of minimum 12 or more interested in this, it can be delivered at a time and a date of your choice.

Bookings are being made on First Come First Served Basis.

Workshops include 90-minute beginner session, 30-minute interval, 90-minute advanced session delivered on the same day, but the beginner and advance sessions can be delivered on separate days too, if that suits your or your group's needs.

The advanced session builds on the content covered in the introductory session but there is no obligation for individuals to attend both, should someone sign up to the introductory session and decides on the day to choose to stay on for the advanced session they are more than welcome to do so.

These workshops are designed to help

a) increase the ability/confidence to engage online by using social media, websites or video calls, zoom meetings
b) raise awareness of key vocabulary/definitions, social media platforms

c) set up a website, create web content and better web browsing skills

b) create/schedule social media posts

c) use free web tools such as Canva for designing leaflets/flyers etc.

d) create/circulate newsletters using mail chimp

f) get a brief overview of online fundraising tools

If interested in making use of this opportunity to help people in your network, please contact

David Jonathan (Johny)
47 High Town Road, Luton, Beds. LU2 0BW
01582 416946 | jgrassroots@btconnect.com

Rev Dr Jooseop Keum takes over as CWM's new General Secretary

The baton is passed as the Council for World Mission (CWM) family welcomed and received its new General Secretary, Rev Dr Jooseop Keum, at a virtual Inaugural Service held on 5 July 2021. Attended by staff, ecumenical partners and friends from around the world, the service was a time of worship and celebration as we gave thanks to God for blessing us with two leaders who have stepped up to answer the call of servitude. Dr Keum took office on 1 July. In light of Covid-19 challenges, he begins his tenure in South Korea, but will relocate to Singapore to assume his duties when possible.

Here is an excerpt from the Service. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=csY5Mc69Sy0&t=2s

https://www.cwmission.org/jooseop-keum-takes-office-as-cwm-general-secretary/

Website: https://www.cwmission.org Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cwmission

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cwmission

CWM New Gen Secy Rev Dr Jooseop Keum

Washing Dishes While the Planet Burns

https://licc.org.uk/resources/washing-dishes-while-the-planet-burns/

In its weekly reflections shared by the London Institute of Contemporary Christianity (LICC) at Connecting with Culture Issues & Trends, this time it is Dr Dave Benson, Culture & Discipleship Director, LICC writing in his article “Washing Dishes While the Planet Burns” (published on 12th August 2021) about the Sixth Assessment Report from Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) saying its 3,949 pages are heavy reading in every respect.

Making reference to the record-breaking droughts, fires, and floods around the world, Dr Benson is saying this is not normal. The blame for ‘global weirding’ is on humanity.

Surprisingly, COP26 spokesperson Allegra Stratton suggested we start by skipping the rinse and putting our plates straight in the dishwasher. Unsurprisingly, such ‘micro-steps’ were mocked as ‘displacement activities’ that console overwhelmed individuals but ultimately distract from real change.

Acknowledging the fact that without forceful lobbying and radical policies, we’re doomed, Dr Benson agrees in his article that the government must do the heavy lifting. And yet, he says our heads, heart, and hands must also work together. He reminds us that God hasn’t abandoned us in this time of ecological need. Our everyday actions, prayerfully performed, prime us to care for creation. A simple lifestyle, sustainable eco-churches, and wise advocacy, together make for ecological integrity.

The full article can be read here https://licc.org.uk/resources/washing-dishes-while-the-planet-burns/

URC Black History Monthly Session on “The Macpherson Report – 22 years on”

The United Reformed Church (URC) for its Black History Monthly Session Seven is considering the Report from the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee, published at the end of July, which looks at what has happened to the relationship between the British Black Community and the Police in the twenty-two years since the publication of the Macpherson Report.

Hence this online session titled “The Macpherson Report – 22 years on” will be held on Monday 16th August, 7.30-8.30pm.

ZOOM LINK https://zoom.us/j/99060809545?pwd=YlFOR2k2TUozbmJiWVZPSkxMQjNXUT09

Meeting ID: 990 6080 9545      |     Passcode: 264326

The full report is 200 pages long, which can be found here:

https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/83/home-affairs-committee/publications/

A shorter report of the Report is worth reading in “The Guardian”.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2021/jul/30/mps-rebuke-police-for-systemic-failure-to-improve-record-on-race 

Monday 16th August, 7.30-8.30pm

ZOOM LINK https://zoom.us/j/99060809545?pwd=YlFOR2k2TUozbmJiWVZPSkxMQjNXUT09

Meeting ID: 990 6080 9545      |     Passcode: 264326

Violence and discrimination against religious minorities in India

Open Doors is a non-denominational mission supporting persecuted Christians in the world.

One of its most recently launched report claims that Covid-19 isn’t the only crisis for India’s persecuted Christians. Christians in India are facing two crises. Due to the devastating impact of Covid-19, Christians and several other vulnerable groups not only are losing their income they need to survive, but the report highlights that Christians also face violence, discrimination and rejection – fuelled by anti-Christian propaganda. Open Doors titled ‘Destructive Lies’ report can be downloaded here.

Another ‘Freedom House’ report mentions that the attacks on Muslims are very glaring and prominent while those on Christians are generally sub-radar and reported less often. Freedom House is a US government-funded non-profit, non-governmental organisation which publishes an annual report on democracy, political freedom, and human rights titled Freedom in the World.

In one of its articles written by Sarah Repucci & Amy Slipowitz it is stated that India, the world’s most populous democracy, dropped from Free to Partly Free status in Freedom in the World 2021. The ruling Hindu nationalist movement has encouraged the scapegoating of Muslims, who have been disproportionately blamed for the spread of the virus. Both Christians and Muslims have faced up to 60% increased attacks by vigilante gangs and mobs. The ruling party are tragically driving India toward authoritarianism. The full article is here https://freedomhouse.org/report/freedom-world/2021/democracy-under-siege

It is important to note and where possible also to raise our voices against the rising human rights violations and persecution of religious minorities (particularly of Christians and Muslims) in India, but at the same time it is also important to note that not all Hindus are persecuting minorities and not all Christians are under attack. There are several Hindus fighting against it and sanding up for justice.

However, it is sad that once a beacon of religious pluralism, India is now watched globally with a concern that its democracy and pluralism are under assault. https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2021-0003/

Fury in India over death of 84 year old Fr Stan Swamy https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/jul/05/indias-oldest-political-prisoner-stan-swamy-dies-aged-84

Attack on Nuns in India

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kochi/kcbc-condemns-attack-on-nuns-in-uttar-pradesh/articleshow/81657803.cms

Let’s hope and pray that as a diverse and multi-cultural nation with a flourishing history of pluralism that has been thriving in it for thousands of years, India as the world’s largest democracy, will rise again to uphold its long and multifaceted heritage of religious pluralism.

LCoF QAVS Award Presentation

In 2021, Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) completes 25 years, since founded as Inter Faith Forum in 1996 and 20 years since registered as independent Charity in 2001.

Earlier it was announced by the Buckingham Palace in its Press Release that Luton Council of Faiths is one of 241 charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) this year.

Expressing her delight and joy that LCoF was the only one voluntary organisation in the whole of the county of Bedfordshire which has been recognised this year, in a recently held QAVS Award Presentation Ceremony, HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, while presenting the award said, “It is a great honour for me to present this award on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen. This is the highest award given to Volunteer Groups in the UK. To win this award is a tremendous achievement and shows the highest recognition of all the volunteers and staff of Luton Council of Faiths.”

“Luton Council of Faiths started their work 25 years ago in a very calm, subtle, non-confrontational way and has been a conduit to unite the multitude of faiths creating individual understanding and respect for each other. The last year or so has been extraordinary and something we could never have predicted or planned for. I am very proud of the way LCoF has stepped up and responded throughout the pandemic and lockdown.”

“With volunteers at the heart of its activities, Luton Council of Faiths is an exceptionally well-run, high quality organisation and represents the very best example of how well co-ordinated and dedicated volunteers can make a genuine impact on everyone that uses their services.”

High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Eric Masih said the greatest legacy anyone can leave behind is to positively impact the lives of others because that way what you leave behind is not something engraved in a stone monument but it is seen in the lives of our fellow human beings and that is what Luton Council of Faiths has done over the years.

Mayor of Luton Cllr Mahmood Hussain thanked LCoF for bringing and keeping Luton’s diverse faith communities together, consistently over the years, which makes Luton’s stand stronger, taller and resilient in the worst as well as at the best of the times.

Cllr Hazel Simmons applauded LCoF being one of the most stable institutional partners that the Luton Council has worked over the years.

GRASSROOTS Chair Revd Canon David Lawson, being a partner, congratulated LCoF but also reminded all present that we still got mountains to climb; we are up against all kinds and forms of pandemic such as racism, poverty, unemployment, extremism but biggest of all is climate change. He presented to all dignitaries a book titled Climate Change is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice, written by Luton based author Jeremy Williams.

LCoF’s Chair Zafar Khan & Vice Chair Gulie Butcher thanked all for their support, encouragement and goodwill, particularly its progenitor GRASSROOTS Programme, Luton Borough Council and now the support from Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation (BLCF) and the London Luton Airport Ltd (LLAL) Community Investment Fund programme.

It was regretted that due to pandemic restrictions, very limited number of LCoF volunteers could be invited to attend the Award Presentation but in her vote of thanks Gulie Butcher thanked all of Luton’s faith leaders, Luton’s faith communities, volunteers and partners.

Thanking God for LCoF’s services, using the famous quote, Bishop Richard Atkinson said “For all that has been, Thanks. For all that is to come, Yes!”

After the event, in his email message, Robert Oakley, Deputy Lieutenant heading the QAVS Assessment Panel at Bedfordshire Lieutenancy, said, “It is a rather belated but nonetheless very sincere thank you for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon presentation of your very much deserved Queens Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS). It was a memorable occasion and such a strong tribute to all your amazing work within the Luton Community, demonstrating how much your endeavours are appreciated by the leaders and influencers within Luton. Every time we meet, I learn more about Luton Council of Faiths from your depth of history and how you strengthen and unify the whole community. Both the Lord Lieutenant and I privately commented that we thought that your award was the most significant and important QAVS award within the county for several years such is the impact of what you achieve for the community of Luton.”

Keech Hospice Fundraising Big Trunk Trail Luton 20 July - 8 October 2021

https://www.keech.org.uk/whats-on/578-the-big-trunk-trail

This is a fantastic, collection of models of elephants and baby elephants to raise money for the Keech Hospice. You can pick up the Trail Map from Central Library or download a copy online. https://www.bigtrunktrail.co.uk/

The collection of baby elephants is in The Mall with the names of various Luton Schools with moving quotes.

These 3 photos are of the Capt Tom elephant outside Luton Town Hall. "Tomorrow will be a better day". Capt Tom raised more money than anyone in history for the NHS during the Covid Pandemic. His positive attitude raised morale and inspired so many to undetake challenges way beyond what they dreamed their could achieve instead of the doom and gloom uttered by many of the opposition parties and leaders of the devolved nations of the UK - a true patriotic Englishman who understood the meaning of kindness and loyalty to his country and countrymen.

#JoinTheHerd and share in the excitement by keeping up to date with the latest news on The Big Trunk Trail’s Facebook, Instagram and Twitter using @BigTrunkTrail. Don’t forget to #SpotTheElephant!
https://www.bigtrunktrail.co.uk/

Season of Creation / Creation Time 2021

https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Season-of-Creation

1 September – 4 October 2021

The Season of Creation runs from 1 September (World Day of Prayer for the Care of Creation) to 4 October (the feast of Saint Francis of Assisi) each year.

This ecumenical season is dedicated to prayer and action for the protection of creation. It is a time to renew our relationships with God our Creator, and with all creation, as we join together in prayer.

We give thanks for all that God has made, repent for the damage that we have caused and commit ourselves to take action to protect the earth our common home.

This year we have been made acutely aware of how interconnected we all are, and so we come together in hope that we can rebuild and heal our world. 

Resources are available to observe the Season of Creation / Creation Time 2021.

Please visit

https://cafod.org.uk/Pray/Season-of-Creation

https://ctbi.org.uk/season-of-creation-creation-time-2021/

https://seasonofcreation.org/

100 days to COP26

https://ctbi.org.uk/100-days-to-cop26/

With only 100 days to go until COP26 – the critical international climate negotiations which the UK government will host and chair in Glasgow in November 2021 – a broad coalition of Christian denominations and charities is calling on all churches to hold a ‘Climate Sunday’ and commit to effective action themselves, before talks begin. For more details, please visit https://ctbi.org.uk/100-days-to-cop26/

So far, more than 1,500 churches across Scotland, England, Wales and Ireland are taking part and hundreds more, including several cathedrals, are planning to do so.

The Climate Sunday initiative is the broadest-based church response to the climate crisis in the UK in the run-up to COP26. Participating churches are asked to do three things: hold a climate-focused service to explore the science and theology around addressing human-caused climate disruption; commit to taking ongoing practical action themselves, and sign a joint call for the government to act – the Time is Now Declaration.

Climate Sunday website - www.climatesunday.org

This website contains a ‘toolbox’ of free resources, and enables churches to register their commitment.

Climate Sunday event – Sunday 5 September 2021

A key milestone of the campaign before COP26 will be a national Climate Sunday event in Glasgow Cathedral on Sunday 5 September 2021.  This will celebrate the commitments made by churches so far, and to present the Government with a list of those commitments and the signatories of all churches who have signed the Time is Now Declaration.  The final total of participating churches and commitments will be presented to the Government at the COP conference itself.

For more info please visit https://ctbi.org.uk/100-days-to-cop26/

CAFOD Faith in Action Day 2021 on Saturday 11 September, 11am-4pm.

CAFOD Faith in Action Day 2021 on Saturday 11 September, 11am-4pm.

https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/Faith-in-Action-Day-2021

Join together for an online day of talk and prayer to learn more about this year’s climate talks, Pope Francis’s call to action and how people in the Amazon region are leading the fight to care for our common home.

Event details

On this Faith in Action Day you will

• Find out more about the UK government’s vision for COP26.

• Connect with other Catholics in interactive sessions and find out how we can organise ourselves to build momentum for the climate talks in Glasgow this year.

• Hear from environmental defenders in the Amazon about their struggle to protect our common home.

• Explore Pope Francis’s Synod on the Amazon and his call for justice.

• Get inspired by young Catholic campaigners and their fight for the climate crisis.

• Stand in solidarity and pray together for our brothers and sisters who are suffering the most as a result of the climate crisis.

Speakers

Confirmed speakers include Camilla Born (Deputy Director of Strategy for COP26), Josianne Gauthier (CIDSE Secretary General), Claudelice Silva dos Santos (Amazon and human rights defender), young Catholic activists and many more.

This event is part of the Great Big Green Week, a series of events happening in September to bring together communities across the country for climate and nature.

For more details please visit https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/Faith-in-Action-Day-2021

World Nature Conservation Day

The World Nature Conservation Day is observed annually on July 28.

The occasion aims to create awareness about the need to preserve the environment and natural resources in order to keep the world healthy.

GRASSROOTS Luton continues to promote awareness about the climate change emergencies.

Expressing his delight and joy that Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) was the only one voluntary organisation in the whole of the county of Bedfordshire to receive the prestigious Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS) this year, GRASSROOTS Chair Revd Canon David Lawson, in a recently held QAVS Award Presentation Ceremony, reminded all present that we still got mountains to climb; we are up against all kinds and forms of pandemic such as racism, poverty, unemployment, extremism but biggest of all is climate change.

He congratulated LCoF for inviting Luton’s faith communities earlier in May 2021 to talk about the need to focus on the issue of climate change and he invited different community representatives, to present to all the dignitaries at LCoF’s QAVS Award Ceremony, with a book titled Climate Change is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice, written by Luton based author Jeremy Williams.

Dignitaries who received the book included;

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Mrs. Helen Nellis                             

High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Mr. Eric Masih

Mayor of Luton Cllr Mahmood Hussain

Lord Bill McKenzie

Leader of the Luton Council, Cllr Hazel Simmons

MP for Luton South Rachel Hopkins

Bishop of Bedford Right Reverend Richard Atkinson

Deputy Lieutenants Pastor Llyod Denny, Dr Nazia Khanum and Dr Robert Oakley

For more info on conservation challenges please see https://www.fauna-flora.org/conservation-challenges

Near Neighbours celebrates 10th Anniversary in Luton

One of the reasons why the Decade of the 2011-2021 may just be an important decade in British history, is because of the success of the Near Neighbours Programme, which was created by Church Urban Fund (CUF) and the C of E Archbishop’s Council following the award of £5million by the Department for Communities and Local Government in February 2011.

Since then, Near Neighbours has established 11 hubs across England, helping to develop positive relationships in specific multi-faith areas through small grants of £250 - £5,000, whilst also supporting and resourcing the growth of new ‘social action’ and ‘social interaction’ projects.

Hubs act as focal points for Near Neighbours activity and a local coordinator in each hub connects with and resources local projects, developing the work of the programme at a grassroots level and feeding into national strategy.

In Luton, GRASSROOTS Programme has been operating as the local Near Neighbours hub and Kim Greig (seen in the pic below) has been the first ever appointed Near Neighbours Coordinator.

 In a recently held 10th Anniversary Celebrations in Luton, Kim shared that during the last 10 years, Luton has seen 287 projects undertaking activities e.g. community gardening, litter picking, music for those suffering from dementia, connecting young people with horses, arts & sports activities, mental health first aid training programmes, human trafficking, child sexual exploitation, international women and inter faith week activities and several other projects involving people from diverse backgrounds, promoting cultural and racial  understanding and integration.

Kim said Near Neighbours Programme through Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has contributed £728,157 worth of grants to support Luton communities, which is a significant contribution, much of it helped during the pandemic lockdowns too.

Elizabeth Carnelley, Director, Near Neighbours Programme said she is proud that the programme, nationally as well as locally, has been at the forefront of confronting the rumours and conspiracy myths which were and still are undermining public trust in health authorities and in tested and approved vaccines, which threaten an effective public health response to the pandemic.

Over 25 Luton organisations, present at the 10th Anniversary celebrations held locally, shared their outstanding work of helping people and communities in this town supported by Near Neighbours Programme. They all unequivocally expressed their gratitude and shouted aloud –

THANK YOU NEAR NEIGHBOURS!

For more information about Near Neighbours Programme, please see https://www.near-neighbours.org.uk/

Places of Worship & 'Freedom Day' from Covid Restrictions

England’s so called ‘Freedom Day’, is set for 19 July.

What does this mean for places of worship? As it stands, faith settings will need to decide whether to continue recommending Covid-19 infection prevention measures, such as the social distancing of worshippers and the expectation to wear face coverings.

There appears to be confusion and lack of direction for faith leaders – and the upcoming changes are a huge concern for worshippers too.

• How is your faith setting planning for ‘Freedom Day’?

• What are your concerns about the changes?

• How will the way you worship alter?

Join Faith Action (https://www.faithaction.net/) at its Coffee House event on Wednesday 14th July at 1pm, hosted by its national executive director, Daniel Singleton, member of the Places of Worship Government Taskforce and hear from other panellists and voice your opinion.

To register please visit www.faithaction.net/go/coffeehouse.

For any further details, please contact

Andrew Welsby​ | Administrator & Projects Secretariat | 0800 804 8829 | 07500 842 901

andrew.welsby@faithaction.net | www.faithaction.net

Wednesday 14th July 2021 at 1pm | To register please visit www.faithaction.net/go/coffeehouse.

Voices from Srebrenica: Online Book Event

In July 1995, when the town Srebrenica, in the hills of eastern Bosnia, fell to Serbian forces, 12,000 Muslim men and boys fled seeking safe territory. Hunted for six days, more than 8000 were captured, killed at execution sites and later buried in mass graves.

With such harrowing personal narratives by survivors, a book (available on Amazon) titled “Voices from Srebrenica: Survivor Narratives of the Bosnian Genocide” provides eyewitness accounts of the Bosnian genocide, which is called the worst atrocity on European soil since the Second World War.

In commemorating UK National Srebrenica Memorial Day (https://srebrenica.org.uk/), GRASSROOTS Luton supported and promoted the University of Bedfordshire led online event with the authors of this book Professor Ann Petrila & Hasan Hasanovic. In writing this book, they have revealed stories of individual trauma, loss and resilience.

Professors Jon Silverman & Helen Connolly co-chaired the event. Dr Emir Suljagic, Director of the Srebrenica Memorial Centre and Allan Little, BBC War Correspondent added enriching perspectives to the Bosnian genocide.

Srebrenica has become a world symbol of the horrific consequences that can result from inaction. The collective failure of the international community to intervene and prevent the genocide has been acknowledged by the late Kofi Annan, the former Secretary-General of the United Nations.

This is also echoed by the late Elie Wiesel, a Holocaust survivor who said: “We must always take sides. Neutrality helps the oppressor, never the victim. Silence encourages the tormentor, never the tormented. Sometimes we must interfere. When human lives are endangered, when human dignity is in jeopardy, national borders and sensitivities become irrelevant. Wherever men or women are persecuted because of their race, religion, or political views, that place must – at that moment – become the centre of the universe”.

From L to R: Prof Helen Connolly, Hasan Hasanovic (Survivor), Allan Little (BBC War Correspondent) & Prof Ann Petrila (Author)

eDARE 2021 - CWM Initiative Doing Theology in Public Places

Council for World Mission (CWM) once again presents eDARE 2021, a virtual event where theologians, artists and activists reflect and present their narratives on life-denying issues today. This year’s edition is a stepping stone in CWM’s turn toward ‘Rising to Life’, and presents an opportunity for rising thinkers from hidden places to critically engage with current forms of Public Theology.

Visit https://edare.cwmission.org for more info and registration details coming soon!

Climate Change – We need to change the way we do things

Climate Change is big on everyone’s Agenda this year, least because the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change COP26 Conference in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. It is the biggest and most urgent challenge facing humanity. People of faith therefore are called (https://faithfortheclimate.org.uk) to see our planet as a gift, and believe we have a sacred responsibility to care for and protect the Earth’s climate for future generations.

The United Reformed Church (URC) is also committed to caring for God’s creation. https://urc.org.uk/about-us/caring-for-creation1.html

An Environmental Workshop was led by the Thames North Synod URC (United Reformed Church) last month on 8th May 2021. Please see details here.

Locally, in Luton & Dunstable, this month on 27th June 2021, members from 5 different URCs took part in an online Climate Sunday service (https://www.climatesunday.org/) led by Revd Heather Whyte, URC Minister serving in Luton & Dunstable.

The service was creative, engaging, very well presented and thought provoking.

Using colorful videos depicting creation’s beauty, Heather said “this is a global issue requiring a global response. Our actions have already set in motion the end of creation. Yet, it does not have to be that way. We need to change the way we do things.”

Highlighting ‘what can we do?’ Heather pointed out simple changes in our lifestyles we all can adapt. She said, “We can change our diet and how we produce food. We must manage our oceans better and rebuild relationship with the planet and the species with which we share it, rewilding wherever we can to re-establish wildlife and the biodiversity the planet needs to survive.”

“Reducing our dependence on cars would mean we do not need to pave gardens, which help maintain the water table and prevents flooding. In the gardens we must use fewer pesticides and move towards organic gardening, creating our own compost, growing more of our own food.”

“We need to be more energy efficient, using LED lightbulbs, switching to sustainable energy providers, and where possible turn down the heating by one degree.”

“We must buy less and repair, reuse, recycle more. Recycling is not the first option, and we are all too aware that often what we think is recycling is simply the shifting of our problem onto the doorstep of poorer communities around the world.”

“Living ‘simply’ and ‘responsibly’ means refusing to accommodate single use plastic, using eco-friendly cleaning products, saving water and cutting down on food waste.”

Heather encouraged all to choose locally produced food and buy in bulk with neighbours. All this cuts our carbon footprint, she said.

Heather reminded how during the lockdowns, the air quality had improved. We must therefore travel efficiently and responsibly.

“All these suggestions may seem prohibitive”, she said, “but we must remember that our way of life is changing the planet’s ability to sustain life.”

“As people of faith, not only do we have a message of hope, but we must be the hope”, she concluded.

She encouraged all to sign up to “The Time is Now” campaign (https://thetimeisnow.uk)  which urges the Government to protect, restore and expand our green and wild spaces and leave no one behind, particularly those most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change at home and abroad.

To read the full reflection, prayers and YouTube links for songs and short videos, please use the link below;

https://urclutonanddunstable.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sunday-27th-June-2021-web.pdf  

Revd Heather Whyte, Minister of United Reformed Churches (URC) Luton & Dunstable