MBE Awarded to David Jonathan - Felicitations & Greetings
In the Queen’s New Year's Honours List 2022, an MBE was awarded to David Jonathan of the Grassroots Programme, Luton Council of Faiths and the Near Neighbours Programme for services to community cohesion and interfaith relations in Luton
In LUTON TODAY Steve Sims reported on Monday, 3rd January 2022 that a Luton man shares MBE for strengthening community cohesion with those who have supported his work over two decades
David Jonathan of Grassroots, Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours "humbled" at New Year's Honour
Full news article can be read on the link below;
On 6 January 2022, The United Reformed Church’s Communications Officer Ann-Marie Nye posted on the URC’s website;
Luton URC member gains MBE in New Year’s Honours
David Jonathan, a member of Bury Park United Reformed Church (URC) in Luton, has been awarded an MBE in the Queen’s New Year’s Honours List 2022. Full news article can be read on the link below;
https://urc.org.uk/luton-urc-member-gains-mbe-in-new-years-honours/
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Since the award announcement, hundreds of greetings, prayers, blessings and congratulatory messages have been sent for which GRASSROOTS and David Jonathan (Johny) are extremely grateful and feel blessed.
Some of the instant messages from Trustees & Team:
“Wonderful news, a thousand congratulations and very very well deserved.” (Revd Canon David Lawson)
“What fantastic news to start the year. So well deserved. Good to see the honours system working as it should.” (Revd Phil Horner)
“What wonderful news. Many congratulations Johny. So well deserved”. (Janet Bird)
“Sooo well deserved and we are sooo proud of you. It is so good when such wonderful work is recognised and shared. What an inspiration. We thank God for you! Thank you for letting us share in your light.” (Deborah Purfield)
“Congratulations Johny. Very well deserved. A great way to start the year.” (Brian Roe)
“What a well-deserved award, great news, Congratulations and all good wishes.” (Ruth Tetlow)
“Yay! Well deserved! Recognition at last. So proud.” (Revd Maggie Hindley)
“Hurray and at last well deserved, super proud of you and the huge amount of work you have done over the years. I'm thrilled for you.” (Kim Greig)
“SO WELL DONE for the MBE. Great news for you Johny and all of us. You so deserve it. Hope this is the shape of things to come for 2022.” (Ann Hyde)
“A Huge Congratulations to David Jonathan (Johny) MBE for joining the Queen's New Year's Honours. So well deserved. A great booster start for 2022. You make us proud. Congratulations again.” (Mohammad Ryad Khodabocus)
“Many many congratulations 🎉 Johny for receiving the MBE”. (Kishore Kaler)
“Congratulations Johny sahib. A most deserved honour. We are very pleased for you and your family! 😊” (Zafar Khan)
“Many congratulations Johnny. We are very happy for you. Well deserved 👏.” (Yogesh Mistry)
Deputy General Secretary (Mission) at United Reformed Church (URC) Francis Brienen said:
Many congratulations to Johny. This is great news! Thanks for all the work that he has done to make Luton a better place to live and to enrich the lives of many different communities. To have this recognised through the award of an MBE is wonderful and very well deserved. We in the URC and in the wider CWM (Council of World Mission) family have been and continue to be blessed by his faithful service and ongoing commitment to promoting peace and understanding between communities and faiths in Luton.
Elizabeth Plews of Edward Street, Dunstable URC said:
Many congratulations on this award - very well deserved! The Grassroots project has been such a success in so many areas and has brought people and communities together in such a variety of ways. Yes, it has been a huge collaborative effort, but that also needs someone with determination, enthusiasm and vision to drive it forward. David Jonathan (Johny) has been the lynchpin, drawing others round him to create opportunities for people to grow, to become friends, to reach understandings and to influence behaviour and relationships. Well done to all at GRASSROOTS , but especially to Johny, for achieving this honour in recognition of his combined efforts.
URC Minister in Luton Revd Heather Whyte wrote:
Congratulations on your richly deserved award. You have made Grassroots what it is and Luton would not be the same without Grassroots. Your welcoming infectious smile has bridged many gaps. Enjoy this moment. Love and prayers.
Church of England St Albans Diocese Bishop The Rt Revd Dr Alan Smith said:
The honour is well deserved. David Jonathan has worked hard for many years to build up good solid relationships between various groups. Although we all recognised this locally it is fitting that it’s now been recognised nationally. I am sure it will also be an encouragement to all those who work with him.
Church of England St Albans Diocese Bishop of Bedford The Rt Revd Richard Atkinson said:
Many congratulations to David Jonathan on his MBE. Great news and so well deserved . A tribute to all his inspirational work in Luton and more widely. I am delighted for him and Grassroots. When the time comes I hope he has a great investiture.
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton Bishop Rt Revd Dr David J Oakley said:
Congratulations on a well-deserved honour and an endorsement of all the great work carried out so patiently and humbly by David Jonathan and the Grassroots Programme. I’m delighted to see how much has been done to encourage hope and a positive future amongst the different cultural, racial and faith communities in Luton. There really is so much to celebrate and to rejoice. Grassroots is an advent group of living and new life within our struggling society. I wish every blessing for the coming years.
Rev. Dr David M. Chapman, District Chair Bedfordshire, Essex and Hertfordshire District of The Methodist Church in Britain said:
I am delighted to learn David Jonathan has been awarded an MBE in the New Year’s Honours in recognition of his long and dedicated service to community cohesion and interfaith relations in Luton. This honour is richly deserved and affirms the work of Grassroots. I hope he and his colleagues will be encouraged by this public and national recognition. Congratulations and well done.
Former South Beds Methodist Circuit Superintendent Minister Revd Julie Bradshaw said:
I am delighted in sending this note of congratulations on Johny’s recognition in such a way as an MBE. He has been such a key to the success of this work with his humble, thoughtful, positive and fearless approach to community cohesion. His wisdom and faith shine through all he does. It was a joy to be alongside and support him in tiny ways during my ministry in Luton. Keep lighting the candles Johny!
HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis said:
I am so delighted that David Jonathan has received such a well-deserved honour in the New Year's List. It is such a pleasure to see him recognised for the outstanding work that he has done for our community. I am sure that many people whose lives he has influenced for the better, will also be pleased to hear of this national recognition. Many thanks again for all that he does and my very best wishes for his continuing success.
Dr Robert Oakley OBE DL, who heads the Queens Awards & Honours Panel for the County of Bedfordshire said:
What tremendous news this New Year’s Day that all the incredible work of David Jonathan for the Luton community over the last 20 years has been recognised by him being honoured and becoming a member of the British Empire. All the work that he does is incredibly important. We thank him for what he has achieved and it is very significant that he has been recognised in this fashion. This is a very happy day not just for him and his family but also for GRASSROOTS, LCoF & NEAR NEIGHBOURS Programmes.
Luton Borough Council’s Chief Executive Robin Porter and Leader of the Council, Cllr Hazel Simmons said:
Congratulations to David Jonathan for getting an MBE in this year’s honours list. This is very well deserved and an excellent tribute for all his years of hard work.
Executive Director of The Church Urban Fund (CUF) Rachel Whittington said:
Huge congratulations to David Jonathan on receiving his MBE – such wonderful news, very well deserved and testament to his tireless work over so many years. I hope he & GRASSROOTS has got a fitting celebration planned to acknowledge this honour.
Dr Nazia Khanum OBE DL, Chair, United Nations Association-Luton said:
It is with great pleasure that I write to give my warmest congratulations to David Jonathan on his Royal Honour which has been long overdue. If it was in my gift, I would have Knighted him years ago for his tireless work for promoting interfaith understanding and community cohesion in Luton and beyond. I have been speaking many times in the past about how his work deserved to be nationally recognized. He has been greatly admired by those of us who have known him over the years and now he will inspire many more who did not know about him yet. VERY WELL DONE INDEED, JOHNY! May God grant him a long, healthy, happy and productive life which will make a difference to the society in which we all live and work. With warmest wishes and congratulations to Johny and his family for this wonderful achievement and for a very successful 2022.
Penny Leigh-Brown, a local Peace Activist said:
What absolutely fabulous news -and so well deserved, after all his amazing years of dedicated work and inspirational encouragement for peace and justice and community cohesion in Luton and beyond! We still quote his work and describe the influence of GRASSROOTS in ours and many others’ thinking. Long may your work continue, and we send our loving hope for a more healing, loving and just 2022!
Revd Sheila Maxey, Former Moderator of the United Reformed Church (URC), UK said:
I am so very delighted to learn that David Jonathan has been honoured with the MBE. He certainly deserves the honour for the wonderful work he and his GRASSROOTS team has done in the cause of peace and reconciliation in quite a difficult situation. I felt a little personally proud that I had facilitated his coming to the UK in the first place. With love and good wishes for the coming year to him and his family.
Revd Dorothy Spence, URC Minister in Cumbria wrote:
CONGRATULATIONS, Johnny; that is absolutely wonderful news and very, very well deserved. I was only in Luton for about two years, (working with the Luton and Dunstable group of Churches.) but in that time I became most impressed by the work you were doing. Since then you have kindly kept me in touch as your work at Grassroots continues to progress. So, Johnny, enjoy a little bit of celebrity fame for a while! No doubt you have ongoing plans for what you will tackle next, but be assured that you have already helped many people, and steered them through the difficulties (and rewards) of absorbing more than one culture. Well done!! Every good wish for 2022!
Revd Julie Cox, Church of England Priest in Yorkshire wrote:
It is with great delight that I learn of David Jonathan’s very well deserved honour of an MBE. It is an honour which I know he will say is also for GRASSROOTS, and his colleagues. We moved away from Bedfordshire, but I will always retain an interest, and affection, for GRASSROOTS and for Johny’s wonderful work for the people of Luton. Many congratulations Johny! God bless you for everything you do in His name!
Revd Canon Stephen Purvis, Church of England Priest in Bristol wrote:
I was so pleased to hear about the award of MBE you have received from the Queen. It is very well deserved and helps to restore one's faith in the honours system. I do think the more that Luton's efforts in building inter-faith and inter-cultural relationships can be broadcast to the wider public, at home and abroad, so much the better. And, of course, you have been / are at the very heart of that. I do despair at times when I see the lack of real ecumenical and inter-faith engagement and activity. It seems to me that as we face the challenges of the pandemic, the evil gulf between the very rich and the very poor, and climate change, people and nations must learn how to work collaboratively and respectfully together - aware that, more often than not, more unites us than divides us - hence, the Global Ethic. Keep up the good work. God bless you, Grassroots and LCoF.
Kanti Lad, President, Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Hindu Temple, Luton said:
On behalf of the Management Committee and the Trustees of Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj, many many congratulations to you for the prestigious honour of MBE bestowed upon you by H M the Queen. We are very proud of you. It is a big honour for LCoF. A well deserved honour. Finally your services to the Faiths Community have been recognised. Well done.
Dhansukh Panchal, Vice-Preisdent, Shree Sanatan Seva Samaj Hindu Temple, Luton said:
I am so thrilled to hear that you have been awarded MBE by Her Majesty. Congratulations to you. A very proud moment for us as well. You thoroughly deserve it. Keep up the fantastic work you do in the Community.
Award-winning creative producer, multidisciplinary artist, a notable community broadcaster Shemiza Rashid said:
Johny is such a brilliant human! So very well deserved! Never leaves home without his smile! Congratulations to him and his beautiful family! Much blessings brother!
Sujel Miah of Luton Council of Mosques said:
Johny is probably one of the humblest of people you will ever meet in life. He is a servant leader and works thankless hours striving to bring goodness to our town. His efforts have brought communities together and inspired many of us to strive for fairness, justice and solidarity. He is our local hero who keeps us smiling even through challenging times. Congratulations Johny!
Methodist Recorder Published 4th Feb'22
Some other web and social media links sharing the same news are also listed below.
https://twitter.com/LutonRising/status/1480492983904575489
https://lutonnewsdesk.blogspot.com/2022/01/new-years-honours-2022-for-bedfordshire.html
https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/news/Pages/Lutonians-recognised-in-New-Years-Honours.aspx
The Investiture of David Jonathan, MBE on 7th June 2022
An Investiture is a very special day when someone who has been awarded an honour receives an award in person from The Queen, or a Member of the Royal Family. The investee visits a Royal residence, usually Buckingham Palace, with members of their family, to receive their insignia.
On 7th June 2022, David Jonathan (Johny) of the Grassroots Programme, Luton Council of Faiths and the Near Neighbours Programme was invited to Buckingham Palace to receive from Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, an MBE Award for his services to community cohesion and interfaith relations in Luton.
A short video recording of the Investiture Ceremony can be viewed on this link here.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vvH5JAERzzEpObCNbxbrPnqVbBZRL1S0/view?usp=drive_web
UNA Luton presented the Outstanding Peace Champion Award to David Jonathan
At a special event of UNA-Luton held recently, David Jonathan Director of Grassroots Programme, Luton Council of Faiths and the Near Neighbours Programme was presented with a prestigious Award of Recognition for his services to community cohesion and interfaith relations in Luton.
Before HM Lord Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis presented the Award, UNA Luton Chair Dr Nazia Khanum OBE, DL shared the following words;
"I will say a few words about David Jonathan MBE – widely known as Johny. I have known him for a very long time. In fact I met him soon after his arrival in Luton. He was so keen, so young and so eager to know the communities in Luton. Having worked as Chief Officer for Grassroots and Luton Council of Faiths for years, Johny has become the face of these organisations and has demonstrated to many of us in the community how it is possible to build bridges over turbulent waters and link up with communities seemingly miles apart from each other in so many ways! I am a big admirer of his Peace-building work, his patience, his imagination and his passion for making progress in developing a better understanding of diversity, by building empathy, friendship, trust and common ground for sustainable peace. His determination to improve the conditions of the poor and the exploited was well demonstrated by his passionate work to make Luton a Fair Trade Town. His knowledge of diverse religions is phenomenal and his relentless work towards keeping our town free from conflicts and hostilities is widely known and highly respected. His work has been recently recognised nationally and he received a very well deserved MBE. We are really pleased for him. He has been a supporter of UNA-Luton from its inception. The least we can do to show our appreciation of his passionate work for fairness, peace, environment and youth engagement is to give him a UNA-Luton trophy to say Johny we love you and admire you."
"It was quite humbling and in fact a pleasant surprise to receive this honour," David Jonathan (Johny) stated. “The compliments that were made about me meant a lot more than the actual award. Particularly considering that the UNA Luton Chair, Dr. Nazia Khanum OBE, DL, is a renowned social worker and activist whose life and work have made outstanding contributions to the causes of racial equality and gender justice.”
“I am honoured and extremely grateful to receive UNA Luton Award. My thanks to all those who have overlooked and forgiven all my shortcomings and have supported me, prayed for me and blessed me over the years - all my Trustees, Office Bearers, Staff, Volunteers & Partner organiations. May I also thank in particular, the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist and URC Churches for their support, without which it will be impossible for me and GRASSROOTS to exist.”
GRASSROOTS Luton receives Highly Commended BBC 3 Counties Radio Make a Difference Award
BBC’s ‘Make A Difference’ awards recognise remarkable people and organisations for their achievements and contributions to lives in their communities.
‘Make A Difference’ was first set up at the start of the first pandemic lockdown as a virtual notice board for those offering help and those needing support. To date, the BBC says over 8 Million people have interacted across all 39 local BBC radio stations.
There are eight award categories which honour the unsung heroes.
At a splendid Make a Difference awards ceremony hosted recently by the local BBC 3 Counties Radio Station, GRASSROOTS Luton received Highly Commended “The Together” Category Award. This award is given for breaking down barriers and bringing together people from different walks of life.
The Award Citation read as following;
In addition to bringing people together from different religious and cultural backgrounds since 1991, GRASSROOTS Luton, has received an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Fairtrade Foundation, UK for Making Luton a Fairtrade Town involving Churches, Mosques, Hindu & Sikh Temples and Synagogues. It promotes biodegradable cutlery in multi-faith multicultural events.
GRASSROOTS enabled 3,000 people to connect with nature through ‘Faith Woodlands Communities’ Project. It addresses environmental concerns by turning neglected green spaces into peace gardens.
Through NEAR NEIGHBOURS Programme, it has rolled out 4 youth leadership & 36 sessions of ‘Real People Honest Talks’ and 3 Big Community Conversations in which Luton’s diverse communities have talked about difficult issues.
It has held 8 Global Exchange programmes between UK & Syria, Egypt, Mongolia, Philippines Indonesia, Sweden and Norway.
As a progenitor of Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), GRASSROOTS has consistently supported and resourced its work and has helped organise 26 Annual Peace Walks so far, involving hundreds of people, school pupils and teachers over the years.
GRASSROOTS has earned goodwill and respect through its ‘response-ability’ by;
a) organising Press Conferences & Statements, Peace & Prayer Vigils in response to global & national terror attacks,
b) deploying and supporting effective ‘Community Mediation’ whenever tensions are provoked by extremists
c) highlighting positive work in Faith Matters Column in the weekly Luton News.
In celebrating 30th years of its remarkable services, GRASSROOTS is commended for this prestigious award.
The Revd Canon David Lawson, Chair of GRASSROOTS Luton said, “It is great to have been nominated and shortlisted for this award. Thank you to all my past and present fellow trustees for their continuing and significant support and contribution to the work of Grassroots over the years. Thank you to all the past and present staff; without their hard work this Award will not be possible.”
He added, “Mindful of all that is facing our world today, it is critical that Grassroots continues to be a sign of hope through the work it does to promote justice, peace and reconciliation. The oft-quoted saying is as relevant as ever: ‘Better to light a candle than to curse the darkness.’
GRASSROOTS Trustees at the BBC 3 Counties Radio Make a Difference Award Ceremony
GRASSROOTS Trustees at the BBC 3 Counties Radio Make a Difference Award Reception with the Award Nominators Dr Nazia Khanum, OBE DL and Dr David Cheeseman, Chair and General Secretary of UNA Luton Branch
With the High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Lady Jane Clifford at the BBC 3 Counties Radio Make a Difference Award Reception
GRASSROOTS Trustees at the BBC 3 Counties Radio Make a Difference Award Reception
GRASSROOTS marks 30 Years by winning Luton & Bedfordshire COMMUNITY AWARD
It is remarkable that GRASSROOTS, a community engagement programme in Luton, has completed 30 years of its extraordinary & outstanding services of bringing Churches and different faith communities together in Luton.
There could not have been any better way of acknowledging and celebrating this 30th year milestone than GRASSROOTS being presented with the prestigious COMMUNITY AWARD – the Mark West Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award.
Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst and Catherine Gunn, Principal of Barnfield College presented the Award at the glitzy and dazzling 13th Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards 2022 ceremony, held on Friday 11th November 2022 at Venue Central, Britannia Estates, Leagrave Road, Luton.
In choosing a winner for THE MARK WEST DIVERSITY, EQUALITY & INCLUSION AWARD, Judges were looking for the person, group, business, or organisation that has done the most to work in harmony with others to promote diversity, equality, and inclusion with the aim to positively discourage discrimination and to support the whole town, involving people from all backgrounds and sectors.
The judges choice of GRASSROOTS as the Award-Winner was a befitting tribute to GRASSROOTS’ services spanning over three decades, during which GRASSROOTS has supported, resourced, and given birth to several initiatives e.g. Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), Ghar se Ghar [Hindi/Urdu words meaning Home to Home] – a multi-cultural women’s co-operative group, Luton Fairtrade Steering Group, Making Luton a Fairtrade Town campaign, Int’l Women’s Day event ‘Precious Pearls’, ‘Faith Woodlands Communities’ Project in partnership Luton & Bedford Councils of Faiths and launched Near Neighbours Programme in Luton. These are only a few examples.
In partnership with the Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours Programme, GRASSROOTS has held numerous Peace Vigils and organised Press Conferences & Press Statements in the aftermath of global-national terror attacks. It has published over 1000 Faith Matters articles in the Luton News.
GRASSROOTS delivered Cultural, Religion & Belief Awareness Training in Luton, and introduced Diversity board game and multi-faith storytelling in Luton. It has delivered Circle Dancing, and Youth Leadership Training Programmes as well in Luton.
The Award nominator Dr Nazia Khanum, Chair UNA (United Nations Association) Luton, said what is unique about GRASSROOTS, are its principles of ‘Partnership’ & ‘Empowerment’.
Dr Khanum said, “GRASSROOTS has remained ‘the unsung hero’ in the truest sense, because over three decades, it has worked in the background ‘quietly’ and ‘modestly’, but ‘consistently’ and ‘persistently’. Therefore, in acknowledging and celebrating the 30th year of GRASSROOTS’ remarkable and outstanding services, it has been my privilege to wholeheartedly commend GRASSROOTS for the prestigious Mark West Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award.”
GRASSROOTS Chair Revd Canon David Lawson said, “Thank you Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards for celebrating the unsung heroes of our diverse and multicultural community and applauding those that that seek to make our town Luton, a place where all can live with a sense of fulfilment. GRASSROOTS is extremely grateful, delighted and honoured to receive this prestigious award.“
He also thanked the four Church denominations - United Reformed Church Thames North Synod, Beds Essex & Herts District of The Methodist Church, Church of England St Albans Diocese & The Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton. He said, “It will be impossible for GRASSROOTS to do what it does if it wasn’t for the invaluable support of all these Church denominations. We are indebted to them all.”
The Revd Dr Reynaldo F. Leão-Neto, currently working as Assistant Connexional Ecumenical & Inter Faith Officer for the Methodist Church of Great Britain, has been a Former Mission Partner and Project Worker at GRASSROOTS. He also held the reigns of GRASSROOTS as its Co-Chair during 2004 - 2012. In a statement, he said, “It shows great recognition of Grassroots' work, its consistency, creativity and resilience. GRASSROOTS Team deserves it and others who contributed in the past to the Programme are also part of the achievement. We who witnessed the dangers on the way have even more reasons to be thankful to God, and to the churches that support(ed) the Programme.”
COMMUNITY AWARDS, through its range of activities and fundraising appeals, has raised over £1 million to support a number of local and national charities. The Awards do an excellent job of ‘putting something back’ into the community.
Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst (L) and Catherine Gunn, Principal of Barnfield College (R) presented the Award at the glitzy and dazzling 13th Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards 2022 ceremony, held at Venue Central, Britannia Estates, Leagrave Road, Luton.
Bedfordshire Police Chief Constable Trevor Rodenhurst (L) and Catherine Gunn, Principal of Barnfield College (R) presented the Award at the glitzy and dazzling 13th Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards 2022 ceremony, held at Venue Central, Britannia Estates, Leagrave Road, Luton.
L to R: GRASSROOTS Director David Jonathan (Johny) & Treasurer Brian Roe were delighted to win the prestigious Mark West Diversity, Equality and Inclusion Award at the glitzy and dazzling 13th Luton & Bedfordshire Community Awards 2022 ceremony, held at Venue Central, Britannia Estates, Leagrave Road, Luton.
Invitation to be an Honorary Canon of St Albans Cathedral
Each year, The Lord Bishop of St Albans The Right Reverend Dr Alan Smith has the opportunity to affirm publicly the ministry and mission of a small number of clergy and laity in the Diocese by offering them an honorary canonry.
Canonries of the Cathedral are largely an honorary title and are awarded in recognition of long and dedicated services to the Diocese, to the Church and to the wider community.
The Lord Bishop of St Albans The Right Reverend Dr Alan Smith wrote in his letter dated 10th October 2022 to David Jonathan (Johny), Director GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths and Luton Near Neighbours Programme;
“I feel that the contribution you have made to the life of the diocese, the church and the wider community makes you a very worthy and deserving recipient of a canonry.”
At the Canon-making ceremony held at Evensong in the St Albans Cathedral on Saturday 26th November 2022 at 4pm, Johny was made a Canon.
Johny said, “I had never even thought of anything like this and to be honest I still do not understand what it actually means but I am grateful and humbled to be acknowledged in this way too.”
Thanking the Diocese and Bishop Alan, the Trustees, Staff and Volunteers of GRASSROOTS, Luton Council of Faiths and Near Neighbours Programme send their warmest greetings and heartiest congratulations to Johny, assuring him of their continued support, prayers and blessings.
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Some of the messages can be read below;
“I will add my own warmest congratulations on this news and I will be with you on 26 November as I am a Canon also! This recognition by the Diocese of your work is wonderful and just another long line of testimonies to what an impact your work has made. Hearty congratulations again!”
The Reverend Canon David Lawson, Chair, GRASSROOTS Luton
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I am delighted to know that the Diocese of St Albans has invited you to be a Lay Canon. I extend my heartiest congratulations to you on this important recognition accorded to you. I agree and associate with Bishop's remarks that you are a deserving person for this honour.
Professor Zafar Khan, Chair Luton Council of Faiths
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You are a treasure to the world of peace-building. Few live out their beliefs and convictions. Few live out their passions. Few match their heart and mind. Few persist as you do. Few have your humility and generosity. God and the people who watch you at work will only recognize you more for all that you are and do. Keep going far and bring people in multitudes to where you travel. You have taken the road less travelled, into paths unknown, even to you, only because you have dared mission in a different way. God bless you. My love and blessings to you.
Dr Ranjan Solomon. Badayl Founder/Director. Consultant for organizational transformation vis-à-vis justice and human rights
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GRASSROOTS Luton represented when His Majesty King Charles visited Luton on 6th December 2022
It was an honour for GRASSROOTS Luton that our Director David Jonathan (Johny) was invited to be represented when HM King Charles visited Luton on 6th December 2022.
He was invited to join several other faith and community leaders from Luton’s different faith communities at the newly built Luton’s Guru Nanak Gurudwara. He said, “It was an honour for the town that His Majesty King Charles visited Luton and he spent considerable time meeting and conversing with people. He listened to the children at the Gurudwara singing Kirtan (Sikh religious devotional singing). He encouraged volunteers at the Luton Sikh Soup Kitchen who serve free meals in the Town Centre to those in need. He also visited the massive new Kitchen at the Gurudwara where hot meals are cooked for hundreds every day.”
A short video clip of His Majesty King Charles visit to the Guru Nanak Gurudwara Luton can be viewed here. https://anthonymargiocchi.smugmug.com/King-Charles-III-visits-Guru-Nanak-Gurdwara-Luton/
The people of Luton gave His Majesty The King a colourful and enthusiastic welcome on his first visit to Bedfordshire as monarch. Laura Hutchinson of Luton Today reports here:
https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/in-pictures-king-charles-visits-luton-town-hall-3943542
King Charles III met community leaders and volunteers in Luton Town Hall in the first of three official engagements in the town, which included Luton Town Hall, The Luton DART (Direct Air-Rail Transit) & Luton’s Guru Nanak Gurudwara.
Mayor of Luton Councillor Sameera Saleem said: “It was a great honour to welcome His Majesty The King to Luton to experience our town’s rich diversity and compassionate communities which make our town so special. It was lovely to see so many people from the different backgrounds that make up our wonderful town, come together to welcome His Majesty.
“We are so proud that The King got to meet local community groups who demonstrate every day that care and compassion are at the core of Luton’s ethos, talking about how the community always steps forward to support those who need help and the wide range of work that takes place to build cohesion across our town.”
Since the start of his reign so many of King’s engagements have been about championing diversity and celebrating an inclusive Britain. The King actively supports all communities, all faiths.
The monarch visited a new Sikh temple (Pic Courtesy Sky News)
HM King Charles meeting & greeting faith & community leaders at the Luton Town Hall.
Luton Peace Walk won the Bedfordshire Police Community Cohesion Award in the category of Promoting Diversity
At a special glitzy 6th Bedfordshire Police Community Cohesion Awards Ceremony held on 17th March 2023, Luton Peace Walk won the Cohesion Award in the category of Promoting Diversity.
The Award citation stated:
“Luton Peace Walk is an annual event organised by Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) and GRASSROOTS, with the aim to promote cohesion and interfaith relations. The peace walk includes visits to religious locations across the town, and provides the opportunity for residents from all backgrounds to come together, learn from one another and discover shared bonds. The Peace Walk is always well-attended with a great mix of young and old taking part. Each year a number of schools also get involved, ensuring that the young people of Luton understand one another and barriers are broken down.”
Read more about this at http://grassrootsluton.org.uk/news-events/2023/3/18/luton-peace-walk-won-the-bedfordshire-police-community-cohesion-award-in-the-category-of-promoting-diversity
From L to R: The Award Sponsor Dr Joan Bailey MBE FRSA DL, Director and CEO of The Safer Luton Partnership, Mohammad Ryad Khodabocus, Head of Community Relations & Development at Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), David Jonathan (Johny), Director GRASSROOTS & LCoF, John Murphy, Bedfordshire Police Chief Superintendent
