Our Partners
GRASSROOTS is blessed to have a number of partners engaged with it's work including (in alphabetical order):
Beds, Essex & Herts Methodist District, which was formed in September 2006 when the previous London Districts of the Methodist Church were re-shaped, is made up of 12 circuits which cover the counties of Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton is one of the 22 Roman Catholic dioceses in England and Wales and a Latin Rite suffragan diocese of Westminster, covering the counties of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.
C of E Diocese of St Albans comprises the historic counties of Bedfordshire and Hertfordshire and forms part of the Province of Canterbury in England, part of the wider Church of England, and in turn part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
Thames North Synod is one of 13 Synods that make up the United Reformed Church (URC), and serves communities in Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Berkshire, Greater London, and Essex.
Luton Council of Faiths (LCOF) is a voluntary organisation based in Luton, committed to encouraging and promoting tolerance, respect, and mutual understanding among people of all faiths and cultures.
Other key partners we seek to support and work with include Churches of all denominations including Churches Together in Luton, other faith communities in Luton including Luton Council of Faiths, a Catholic order Daughters of the Holy Spirit, Ghar se Ghar (Hindi/Urdu words for ‘Home to Home’ - a Women’s Co-operative), New Creations and Near Neighbours Programme.
We would also like to thank all of our past and present volunteers who have given us so much time, hard work, and commitment in contributing to the events, activities, and projects in which GRASSROOTS are engaged. Should you be interested in volunteering with us then please get in touch!
Our Trustees
David Lawson
I am a retired priest in the Diocese of St Albans, having served in the diocese since 2000. My involvement in interfaith and community work began in Glasgow over 40 years ago, when I was a curate at the episcopal cathedral, located in the multicultural west end of Glasgow. Future ministries in Bradford, London and more recently in Hemel Hempstead, were much enriched through working with culturally and religiously diverse communities. I am the founder member of the Dacorum Interfaith Network. I believe passionately that interfaith and community engagement are integral to contemporary Christian mission.
Phil Horner
I am a retired Methodist Minister who had served in Luton area, including the High Town Methodist Church in High Town where GRASSROOTS is based. I was delighted to be invited to become a trustee of GRASSROOTS because I believe it has a significant role to play in drawing our diverse community together, whilst not losing the richness of this town's cultural and faith identity.
Maggie Hindley
I served as a Church Related Community Worker and then as a URC minister until I retired in 2017. My last stipendiary ministry was at the London Inter Faith Centre. Though I live in London I've been an admirer of/involved in the work of Grassroots for many years and am very privileged to continue as a Trustee. I am also a trustee of London Churches Refugee Fund and a volunteer at Notre Dame Refugee Centre.
Deborah Purfield
I work for CAFOD (the Catholic Agency for Overseas Development) where we work in partnership with our brothers and sisters mainly in the global south. I was honoured to be asked to be a trustee as GRASSROOTS stands for what I believe in. Like with CAFOD, it seeks to engage God’s mission of justice and peace. It also works to empower communities to responses to emerging situations where they are and accompanies them along that path. This is true growth which I am delighted to be a part of.
Brian Roe
I am a Lutonian, born near the Luton Town football ground, and my spiritual home has always been Oakdale Methodist Church, Luton. For most of my working life I have been a software engineer, helping to provide communications equipment for the emergency services. I am inspired by the work being done by GRASSROOTS, especially in promoting good relations across different faith communities, and was very happy to be invited to be their Treasurer.
Janet Bird
I am a Licensed Reader in the Diocese of St Albans, based at All Saints’ Church, Hertford. I am a member of Deanery and Diocesan synods as well as serving on Bishop’s Council. I was vice Chair of the Board for Church and Society and currently serve on the board for Mission and Ministry which replaced the BCS following the merger with the council for Discipleship and Mission. I am also currently a member of the St Albans Community Justice Network which reports to the Board for Mission and Ministry.
Sheila Marsden
I was born in Luton and went to Bury Park Church as a child and became a Christian in my teens. After leaving school I trained as a teacher in Derbyshire returning to Luton to start my career in Stopsley and later Maidenhall Junior. I want to support people who build relationships with others, who are genuine, committed and positive about living in community, promoting welcome harmony and dispelling fear.
Ruth Tetlow
Having been involved with interfaith work in Birmingham for about 30 years and developed the Faith Guiding course, I now convene 'Footsteps: Faiths for a low carbon future. I’m an ecumenical Anglican and a member of the Progressive Christian Network. I’m inspired by the diversity of GRASSROOTS’ involvement with faith and justice issues in Luton.