Fairtrade Fortnight 2014: Luton's 1st Fairtrade School

The last two weeks have been jam-packed with Fairtrade events and activities in schools, workplaces, community organisations, places of worship and businesses across the UK. 

Luton’s Fairtrade celebrations have been highlighted by an extra special achievement: the launch of Luton’s first Fairtrade School, St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Junior School.  Special guests including Chair of Luton in Harmony Pastor Lloyd Denny, Methodist Superintendent Julie Bradshaw, vice-chairs and representatives from Luton Council of Faiths, stalwart Catholic Fairtrade volunteers such as Maureen Borbone, Sr. Maire Hayes and Lee and Andrea, attended the launch assembly on Friday 28th February.

 Pupils from Year 6 led the show, giving a star stopping performance demonstrating how, in the words of Martin Luther King Jr "Before you finished your breakfast this morning, you'll have relied on half the world."  The children reminded all how Fairtrade is a way to love our neighbour, the second most important commandment in all Christian teaching. The play ended with a celebratory song and dance, headlined by a pupil dancing in a Fairtrade banana suit. 

St Joseph’s has worked tirelessly over the past few years to support Fairtrade, working closely with Fairtrade Luton group.  Pupils enjoyed a visit from Fairtrade banana producer, Tookie, from the Windward Isles, presented Fairtrade at Luton Peace Walk, held Fairtrade fayres, tuck shops and information days, visited Sainsbury's supermarket as well as learning about Fairtrade in their lessons and assemblies.

To find out more about Fairtrade, visit http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/

Fairtrade Fortnight 2014: Fairtrade Role Play at Islamic Home Tuiton

We are enjoying a very busy Fairtrade Fortnight 2014.  This year's theme is Stick with Foncho, and the fortnight has been packed with various activities in the community of Luton.

Members of Fairtrade Luton & Grassroots delivered a role play at Madinah Holiday Camp.  The camp, run by Islamic Home Tuition - a local community organisation providing teaching and events for children and adults, with over 100 children taking part.  Children found out about healthy eating and ethical foods, as well as learning more about their religion and moral living through songs, crafts, drumming and stories.

The Fairtrade role play was about a banana producer in Ghana.  Shouts of “don’t do it!” were cried by the captive audience as “bad business man” forced the price down with no hope of breaking even for the producer.  The children were delighted when a fair price was paid under Fairtrade terms.  Stickers were handed out and children signed a petition to make bananas fair with the stick with Foncho campaign for this Fairtrade Fortnight 2014 (24th Feb-9th March).

Petition signed by children at Camp Madinah

To find out more about Fairtrade Fortnight, please visit http://foncho.fairtrade.org.uk/

Event: Precious Pearls - International Women's Day Celebration

Luton's International Women's Day Celebrations are soon to take place. 

Precious Pearls is taking place on Thursday 6th March at Bury Park Community Centre (161 Dunstable Road, Luton, LU1 1BW) from 6:30pm-8:30pm. 

This is a very special, women only event where ladies can share their stories and talents, meet other ladies from different backgrounds and cultures, enjoy entertainment from different cultures, consume delicious refreshments and food, and celebrate together.

Please RSVP on 01582 416946 or gharseghar@btconnect.com

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

At an event during The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, the Ecumenical Deans on behalf of Churches Together in Luton group invited ministers and lay people from all the Churches in Luton, to spend a morning of reflection on the theme of Christian Presence and Engagement in Luton.

The event was kindly hosted by Mgr Kevin McGinnell at Holy Ghost Catholic Parish Church on Westbourne Road. Bishop Peter Doyle of Roman Catholic Diocese of Northampton and Rev Geoff Colmer, Regional Minister and Team Leader of Central Baptist Association were the two main keynote speakers. They were extremely inspiring.

Revd Geoff Colmer said, “Relating together in partnership in Luton is the only way forward, because no one Church could serve the community and meet its needs on its own.” He also quoted former Archbishop Rowan Williams who upon meeting someone would ask this question, "What is God already doing in this person and how can I help?”

Bishop Peter Doyle, emphasized the need for God’s grace to retain a balance in us; and challenged the inherent and natural prejudice in us: encouraging all to build bridges as Jesus did with the Samaritan woman. He encouraged preaching and finding ways of communicating hope. He said, “Our role is to try to connect and integrate to restore human dignity.” What a profound and sane challenge for us all.

Following two such inspiring talks, all present were led into four group discussions addressing the issues, as mentioned below, in Luton’s context;

• Education (led by John and Debbie Williams, Headteachers)
• Social Outreach (led by Jim O'Connor, Chief Exec of NOAH Enterprise)
• Justice
• Health & Public Life (led by Revd Martyn Trembath, Hospital Chaplain at the L and D)

The most pertinent Qs asked were:

• What is the Gospel challenge in each of the above listed areas?
• What is one practical outcome we can achieve?

Overall the morning was very worthwhile. In a short span of time, much was spoken of and achieved. Long live the spirit of the Church, to continue exploring the meaning in its being a Christian presence in the world.

Event: Women's World Day of Prayer - Preparation Day

Every year, Luton holds a Preparation Day for Women’s World Day of Prayer.  During this day, participants get the chance to discover more about the country from which the service comes; this year EGYPT.  Women get a chance to sing together when practicing the hymns for the service and they also share together a Bible study session.  This year’s Preparation Day is taking place on Monday 27th January at Central Baptist Church in Park Street, from 9:30am – 3pm.  The cost for the day is £3.  Hot drinks are provided but please bring your packed lunch along.  This is a great chance to meet women from all Christian denominations.

Women’s World Day of Prayer truly is a global event.  Women from 170 countries, from Samoa to Albania to Taiwan, circle the world in prayer for 36 hours!   This year participants will learn about Egypt’s culture and way of life, and what life is like for women and children living there.  This year’s theme, Streams in the Desert, promises to make this an inspirational and hope-filled event of women coming together to pray and celebrate, living out together the calling to informed prayer and prayerful action.

Women's World Day of Prayer 2013.  The service was prepared by women from France, on the theme of I was a stranger and you welcomed me in

Prayerful Dance Group

Happy New Year to you all from Grassroots, Luton!  We hope that 2014 is a very peaceful and joyful year for you. 

                                                                  Centre piece used at the last Prayerful Dance session of 2013

If you are considering taking up something new this year, why not consider joining Luton's Prayerful Dance Group?  The group meets on the 3rd Wednesday of the month here in High Town Methodist Church Hall from 3.30-4.30pm.

New members will be very welcome.

Circle Dance Christmas Special

This year's Circle Dance Christmas Special- Dances for the Festive Season - took place at Hockwell Ring Community Centre on Saturday 14th December 2013.

A lovely group of people took part in this special event celebrating Christmas. 

The Shepherd’s Dance - this is a traditional French Dance in which the dancers hold candles and mark out the shape of a star with their footwork as they progress

Circle Dancing is a great opportunity for people to join in an inclusive and enjoyable type of dancing that does not require a partner or any previous experience. Men and women of any age are very welcome to join in.

Please do get in contact if you would like to find out more about regular circle dancing sessions and special events.

Event: Luton Peace Light Service - 16th December 2013

All are invited to Luton’s Annual Peace Light Service taking place on 16th December at 7:30pm, at  All Saints Church on Shaftesbury Road, Luton LU4 8AH.

The Peace Light (flame) is brought from Bethlehem. Initially it began as part of a large charitable relief project to help children in need in Austria and abroad. Since 1990, with Scouts’ and Guides’ help, this light is now distributed across Europe at Christmas time, spreading the Message of Peace in all countries. It encourages all to work for peace

Event: Circle Dance Christmas Special!

The Circle Dance Christmas Special Event is taking place this Saturday (14th December) at Hockwell Ring Community Centre.  All (men, women, young, old, and those of any dancing ability!) are welcome to join in from 2-4pm.  Bring along food to share at this free community event.

Event: Some other up and coming events

• Craft Fair and Table Top Sale 30th November at High Town Methodist Church, 11am-2pm.  If you would like to book a table, please contact Helen on 01582 414643.
• Christmas lights on in Luton is taking place on 7th December.  Events are taking place in St Georges Square from 11am-5pm, and then the switch on will start at 5pm.
• The annual  Peace Light Service with candle from Bethlehem is taking place at All Saints Church at 7:30pm

Event: Centre for Youth and Community Development project

Grassroots has organised a visit to CYCD (Centre for Youth and Community Development project) – a pioneering Bangladeshi led community group in Bury Park, Luton on 27th November.  Community and faith leaders including the Bishop of Bedford, will be joining in to build links for working together.

Papal Nuncio’s Visit to Luton

Luton was privileged to host Catholic Archbishop Antonio Mennini, Apostolic Nuncio (Pope's Ambassador) to Great Britain, who visited Luton on Tuesday 29th October. He was Pope's Ambassador earlier to Russian Federation (2002-8) and to Uzbekistan (2008-10). He is vested with both ecclesiastical and political power as the Pope's representative. He has to be presented to the Queen on arrival in the country.

The Papal Nuncio joined team members of Grassroots as long as colleagues from various faith communities and Luton Council of Faiths representatives for a small reception at Holy Ghost Catholic Church to share our positive work and co-existence in Luton and to share some refreshments afterwards.

Community Eid Gathering

In a town such as Luton, festivals and food often bring people together. However, in a landmark initiative, Bury Park Jamia Mosque invited neighbours from other different religious and cultural backgrounds to come together and share the joy of Eid-ul-Hajj on 24th October 2013.  

The Senior Imam and director of the Mosque, extended warm welcome to all and in his speech, he encouraged such initiatives while highlighting the importance of strengthening mutual friendship, peace and understanding across difference faiths and cultures in a town as diverse as Luton. 

The highlight of the evening for many was young people from the schools performing nasheed (devotional signing) for the faith leaders, who were very impressed. After the formal talks, delicious food was enjoyed at a local restaurant and conversations lasted over food for more than an hour, which created opportunities for people to mingle and converse informally, while also enjoying the food.

 Natu Bhai, a Hindu and also the joint Vice Chair of Luton Council of Faiths said, “Coming and standing with people of different backgrounds, we do not just reflect the richness and diversity of our town, but also promote acceptance while rejecting hatred and prejudice.”

Luton leads a workshop at National Fairtrade Annual Supporters Conference

This year over 300 Fairtrade campaigners met at Kensington Town Hall in

London for the 2013 big Annual Fairtrade Supporters Conference.   The theme of the conference was Unlocking the Power of Many’.

 Speakers from Fairtrade Africa and the Windward Islands inspired and challenged the audience as they spoke about the benefits of Fairtrade to their communities as well as the many obstacles to securing their livelihoods. 

 Workshops featured debates around the latest issues and developments in Fairtrade, such as how it delivers benefits to workers on tea plantations.

 Following Luton’s Fairtrade successes and Outstanding Achievement Award last year, the Fairtrade Luton group were privileged to be invited to run a workshop at this year’s conference.  The theme was ‘Taking Fairtrade to New Audiences: Interfaith Outreach in Luton’. 

 Luton’s Fairtrade story provoked keen interest as Ryad Khodabocus and Maureen Bourbon proudly shared Luton’s experience and remarkable achievements whilst giving advice and answering questions from Fairtrade campaigners from across the UK. 

 Luton’s Fairtrade campaigners returned home energised to put the ideas into action in order to give a fairer deal to the developing world’s farmers and producers who grow so much of the food we enjoy.

Karen’s cookery sessions & fashion show

Bishop of Bedford’s Supper for Luton Faith Leaders

In continuing his efforts of establishing positive relations with Luton’s faith communities, Bishop Richard Atkinson invited nearly 35 faith leaders to an informal buffet supper on Thursday 3rd October at Bishop’s Lodge, Cardington.

 It indeed was a gathering, with Hindu, Sikh, Muslim, Christian, Zorastrian, Jewish & Bahai friends present. All shared the warmth of fellowship and friendly conversations.

 “Bishop Richard Atkinson has been working hard since he arrived here a year ago,” said David Jonathan, Co-ordinator of GRASSROOTS, a Christian charity working in Luton with Churches and other faiths, in partnership with Luton Council of Faiths.

 Emphasising the need for such gatherings and appreciating Bishop Richard’s kind gesture, Allama Qazi Abdul Aziz Chishti (Senior Imam and director of the Jamia Islamia Ghousia Mosque, Westbourne Road, Luton), said, “It is great to have such a positive leadership. We hope this will start a new chapter in our journey of building good community relations.”

 Chief Constable of the Bedfordshire Police, Colette Paul, said, “Luton’s dynamic and multicultural buzz is one of the reasons I opted for service in Bedfordshire Police. And tonight, having met everyone, I feel I made the right choice.”

Luton Peace Walk

On a rather wet day of the 21st of September, nearly 150 people from diverse faiths, cultures, ethnicities and nationalities, walked together showing public solidarity and friendship by visiting different places of worship, this year: Guru Nanak Gurudwara on Dallow Road, the Holy Ghost Catholic Parish Church & Jamia Islamia Ghousia Mosque, both on Westbourne Road.  With opening remarks from Zafar Khan, Chair of Luton Council of Faiths at the Town Hall, Luton’s Mayoress Cllr Sheila Rodden, Bishop Rt Revd Richard Atkinson and MP Kelvin Hopkins also shared greetings. Car loads of food items were collected for Luton Food Bank, generously donated by various community establishments including Foxdell Primary School, St Joseph Catholic Primary School, OM Group, the Luton Central Mosque and the three host places of worship. The day saw also St Joseph Catholic Primary School children presented about their journey towards becoming a Fairtrade school while at the Mosque; the Mehria Primary School children played melodious Nasheeds and Daff who charmed all the audience.Various communities brought also bread from different cultures which were enjoyed at the Mosque with great hospitality of the host.

Event: Inter Faith Centre

On 10th December, a team from the United Reformed Church’s London Inter Faith Centre are visiting Luton, to explore Grassroots and the town.  Grassroots will be hosting the day.

Event: FairTrade

Grassroots are giving a talk on Fairtrade on Wednesday 6th November at 8pm at St Anne’s Church, Crawley Green.  You are most welcome to come along to find out more.

Event: Messy theology

Messy theology.  Grassroots will be undertaking a day of theological reflection on 25th November.  As an ecumenical Christian charity from its origins, and with the trustees and team coming from diverse denominations and Christian theological backgrounds, this will be a chance to reflect on the many different activities and projects Grassroots is leading, facilitating and supporting, in the light of the gospel.

Event: Bishop of Bedford visits Islamic Centre

Grassroots is facilitating the Bishop of Bedford to visit Bury Park Islamic Centre on 21st November.  This is another chance for good relations to be built between different faith leaders and communities.