Happy Ascension Day

https://www.facebook.com/Sanktbenedikt/photos/a.696442870371372/4594580147224272/

Ascension Day

POEM by Christina Georgina Rossetti

“When Christ went up to Heaven the Apostles stayed”
Gazing at Heaven with souls and wills on fire,
Their hearts on flight along the track He made,
Winged by desire.

Their silence spake: “Lord, why not follow Thee?
Home is not home without Thy Blessed Face,
Life is not life. Remember, Lord, and see,
Look back, embrace.

“Earth is one desert waste of banishment,
Life is one long-drawn anguish of decay.
Where Thou wert wont to go we also went:
Why not today?”

Nevertheless a cloud cut off their gaze:
They tarry to build up Jerusalem,
Watching for Him, while thro' the appointed days
He watches them.

They do His Will, and doing it rejoice,
Patiently glad to spend and to be spent:
Still He speaks to them, still they hear His Voice
And are content.

For as a cloud received Him from their sight,
So with a cloud will He return ere long:
Therefore they stand on guard by day, by night,
Strenuous and strong.

They do, they dare, they beyond seven times seven
Forgive, they cry God's mighty word aloud:
Yet sometimes haply lift tired eyes to Heaven—
“Is that His cloud?”

https://www.facebook.com/Sanktbenedikt/photos/a.696442870371372/4594580147224272/

https://www.facebook.com/Sanktbenedikt/photos/a.696442870371372/4594580147224272/

Eid Mubarak

Eid Mubarak

Despite the life-threatening & distressing world circumstances around us, May the joy and hope of Eid comfort us, reassure us.

Eid Mubarak to all our Muslim friends.

https://www.facebook.com/luton.faiths/videos/1958087497673234

https://www.facebook.com/WorldCouncilofChurches/photos/a.807745965937857/4046415465404208

Environmental Workshop led by the Thames North Synod URC (United Reformed Church)

GRASSROOTS Luton took part in an online regional Environmental Workshop led by the Thames North Synod URC (United Reformed Church) on Saturday 8 May 2021.

The workshop was convened by Revd Terry Hinks Minister of Trinity United Reformed Church, High Wycombe.  

It was a fruitful and meaningful time of engagement bringing together people of all ages from across the Synod to share our commitment to care for God’s creation.

A Scripture reading from Ecclesiasticus 43:11-26 was a poignant reminder that the wonder of all things held together is by the Word of the Maker and our Creator.

After two people had shared their experiences of becoming Eco Church, James Anthony of Climate Sunday organisation, encouraged all local churches across Great Britain & Ireland to hold a climate-focused service on any Sunday before COP26 (November 2021). He also encouraged all to make a commitment as a local church community to taking long term action to reduce your own greenhouse gas emissions, by joining the existing programmes such as Eco Church, LiveSimply. It was also considered important that we must all speak up and use our voice to tell politicians that we want a cleaner, greener, fairer future at the heart of plans to rebuild a strong economy.  Read and sign The Climate Coalition’s ‘The Time Is Now’ declaration .

The Time Is Now is a campaign run by The Climate Coalition, the UK’s largest group of people dedicated to action against climate change.  With COP26 we are at a turning point. Our best chance of building a stronger economy goes hand in hand with tackling climate change. By working together, investing in growing clean industries and preserving green spaces we can build a cleaner, fairer world for future generations, instead of locking in pollution for decades to come.  The UK will be the hosts of the UN Climate Summit COP26 in November this year. This is our opportunity to lead the world into a greener future, but first we need to invest in the solutions to climate change at home. Ahead of the summit, the UK must lead the world by ensuring our recovery gets us on track to net-zero emissions and limits the rise in the global temperature to 1.5 degrees C.

 The youtube link for the video promoting The Time is Now declaration:

 (44) 2021: The Time Is Now For Climate Action - YouTube

 What is COP26 and what can we do?

The UK churches Relay to COP26 being led by Young Christian Climate Network

Eco Synod – an environmental policy for Thames North Synod of United Reformed Church (URC)

This will be developed using the experience of other Synods further along the way.  All synod policies are on URC website. Here is the link:  https://urc.org.uk/about-us/caring-for-creation1.html

In his closing comments, Revd Terry Hinks said “how much ever we may like to lobby and influence the government, we must also look to change ourselves as individuals and also our Churches and faith communities.” He quoted the words of Pope Francis:

“May our struggles and concern for this planet never the take away the joy of our Hope.” (Laudato Si’ 244)

Protect Duty within Faith Communities

The Home Office has launched a consultation on the Protect Duty. The consultation explores how we might use legislation to enhance the protection of UK-wide publicly accessible locations- and anyone who uses them- from potential terrorist attacks. 

A Home Office e-circular dated 30th April 2021 titled “Protect Duty within Faith Communities” said, “We are keen to hear views from the full range of UK faith communities, not only because the Protect Duty is likely to affect many faith centres, but also because we recognise that the needs, priorities and operation of places of worship are often very different to those of other, commercial or public sector publicly accessible locations. We want to ensure the Duty will improve protection for people using faith centres and other publicly accessible locations without being overly burdensome. It’s important that we capture your views, so that we can make sure the Protect Duty works for everyone.”

The Protect Duty consultation is separate to the Places of Worship security consultation and the Faith Security training survey you may have responded to. Rather than consulting on Government’s physical security measures and training offerings, the Protect Duty focuses on how public security could be improved through legislation which would provide a certainty of responsibility, and a greater consistency of measures and effect across the whole country.

The consultation can be found at this link:

https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/protect-duty.

The consultation closes on 2 July. Currently response levels from the faith communities are low, so Home Office would appreciate your help in encouraging more responses from faith communities.

If you require more information, please do not hesitate to contact the team at ProtectDuty@homeoffice.gov.uk.

India fights deadly coronavirus outbreak

India is facing a devastating second wave of coronavirus. The country has confirmed more than 16 million cases and more than 200,000 deaths, with some reports concerned that the number of deaths is just the tip of the iceberg, because of under reporting.

The pandemic has put a strain on the medical infrastructure of the country, with hospitals unable to cope with the influx of patients.

CAFOD has already pledged £200,000 to our partners Caritas India. They will be distributing medical kits and to setting up temporary treatment centres as well as providing PPE to frontline health workers. We are also helping families to provide home-based care for mild cases, raising awareness of the vaccine, and how to avoid further spread of the virus.

Donate to the CAFOD Coronavirus Appeal

Read CAFOD full article here.

Watch Indian Journalist Barkha Dutt Interview with ITV here.

Church candles lit in prayer

Show your support for India

If COVID has taught us anything its that we are a global community, and the news coming from India breaks my heart 

Today is the 6th consecutive day of over 300,000 new cases.

Hospitals have run out of beds, ventilators and oxygen.

Families have been told to organise their own oxygen, and some are being charged 900% more to get their oxygen tanks refilled.

Funeral pyres have been burning through the night, and there is fear that funeral pyres will soon have to be built on the side of the roads.

World aid has started to arrive in India with the UK haven sent over 600 pieces of vital medical equipment and neighbouring countries sending oxygen.

How can I help?

I spent some time this morning looking up humanitarian aid charities that are already operating in India, and I have chosen to donate to 

Khalsa Aid India

If you are thinking of supporting a humanitarian aid charity, here are some tips about how to research a charity.

Check out their website and see what kind of projects they have delivered in the past, and look for a charity number.

Search for them using their charity number on the Charity Commission website, and you can check out their accounts to see what they have been doing with money donated. International charities often have been operating longer than is reflected on the Charity Commission website as they would have registered in the UK when they expanded to international work and fundraising.

Check out their social media, look to see how long they have had their pages (newly created pages can be a sign of a fake charity). Look at their recent posts to see what they have been doing and read people's comments.

If you decide on a charity, go back to their website and look at their donation page to see if it has secure payment set up with recognised card companies and PayPal. If they have registered with the Charity Commission, they are eligible for gift aid.

Feel free to share in comments the charities you are supporting who provide COVID Aid in India 

— feeling heartbroken.

Fiona Martin

Covid-19 Luton Community Action Group

Photography from Black Lives Matter Protests

Maxime will be showcasing her personal photography taken during the Black Lives Matter (BLM) protests in the Netherlands, and mental wellness work in Curacao. She will also be sharing a short video on past artwork that is accompanied by a spoken word narrative. All of which has a shared theme of blackness amongst white supremacy. The link can be found below, however, if you have any questions, please contact cwm.europe@cwmission.org.

Zoom Link

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86736700189?pwd=NHQyczFSMkIyN1FzaFJGZm1oMXVBUT09

Meeting ID: 867 3670 0189
Passcode: 935878

Happy St George's Day

Happy St George's Day! Please feel free to download CAFOD's leaflet to reflect and commemorate this day in a meaningful way: https://cafod.org.uk/.../Secondary_prayer%20card_St...

Webinar - 'Blue is the Colour: The police, community and young people in Britain and Ireland'

Churches Together in Britain & Ireland (CTBI) led webinar on the theme - ‘A Moment of Dishonour? Racism, Sewell and the Christian Response’ was held on 14th April 2021. The recording is available here on the CTBI website.

As mentioned in the above cited webinar, please find attached more details and registration link to the ‘Blue is the colour: The police, community and young people in Britain and Ireland’ online webinar which will take place on Wednesday 5 May 2021 at 7.30pm – 9.00pm. 

Join us for this much-anticipated follow-up to our previous “Black and Blue” webinar which took place last year. This webinar will explore the police’s engagement in Wales, Ireland, Scotland and England with local communities and young people. It will focus in particular on racism, “stop and search” and related law and order issues. It will also feature youth workers who will highlight their engagement with young people. 

If you have any questions,  please do not hesitate to contact communications@ctbi.org.uk 

Fundraising for St Vincent following Volcano eruption

You will now be aware of explosive volcanic eruptions in St. Vincent. Besides the ongoing evacuation efforts in the midst of unfolding situation, resources are also required for the post-disaster recovery. Please consider supporting financially and join many others who continue to pray for St. Vincent and the Grenadines.

https://www.gofundme.com/f/uksvg-combined-response-to-la-soufriere-eruption

St Vincent Volcanic Eruptions 9th Apr'21

H.E Cenio Lewis, High Commissioner of St. Vincent and the Grenadines is working closely with the UK-SVG FRIENDSHIP TRUST to coordinate the various fundraising efforts by Vincentians living in the UK Diaspora.

Service of Thanksgiving for His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

The County of Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving for His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving for His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh - YouTube

On Friday evening, on the eve of the funeral of HRH The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, the County of Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving was held at St Paul's Church, Bedford, with ONLY thirty people in attendance (owing to the pandemic restrictions) from all parts of our county and representing different faith groups. A fully edited version serves as an historic record of this important event and makes us feel part of the tribute. You can view the County of Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving at Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving for His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh - YouTube

We continue to hold HM The Queen and the Royal Family in our prayers.

Interdenominational Commission on Racial Justice in Luton

http://lutonchurchestogether.org.uk/interdenominational-commission-on-racial-justice/

Following three well attended meetings where church leaders spoke openly of their experiences of racism, their hopes for the future and their regrets for the past, it is believed that the best way forward is to create a smaller representative group that will be able to bring a lead to the church in Luton on racial justice. This would involve the smaller group in

• Building deep, meaningful, honest relationships between ourselves, something that was repeatedly mentioned as key to racial reconciliation.

• Identify how we can look at history, even the painful parts, so that we can build together a new future.

• Identify the spiritual forces at play, and how we can deal with them through forgiveness and defeating strongholds that have existed for generations.

• Bottom line, as a smaller group seeking to learn from each other, then sharing that learning with the larger group and eventually our congregations and the society at large.

The group will be as diverse as possible including men and women, leaders from various racial and denominational and non-denominational backgrounds.

In their efforts to seek to serve the purposes of God together in racial reconciliation and justice, please do feel free to contact

Pas Tony Thompson (HOPE Church) tony.thompson2@ntlworld.com

Pas Vincent Cox (New Testament Church of God) vincentcox18@hotmail.co.uk

http://lutonchurchestogether.org.uk/interdenominational-commission-on-racial-justice/

NEAR NEIGHBOURS Video on Vaccination

NEAR NEIGHBOURS Programme is pleased to launch videos on its website, why vaccination is important for everyone.

Please click here to view:

Covid Videos — Near Neighbours https://www.near-neighbours.org.uk/covid-videos

You can also find the complete ‘full version’ of the above video on this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PpcL4EqwCgw

The County of Bedfordshire Service of Thanksgiving for His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh

Following the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, a Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the life of His Royal Highness in the presence of HM The Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire will be held on Friday 16th April at 5:00pm at The County Church of St Pauls.  

You are invited to join in via You Tube Live Stream on Friday 16th April at 5pm at https://youtu.be/u2pGGiBRcw0 

This means that, although many people will not be able to attend the service in person due to Covid-19, the County will be able to join together virtually to celebrate and give thanks for HRH’s life. 

Please see the press release for further information. 

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis said, “ I do hope that many will be able to join me virtually and will share the link with friends, family, staff, volunteers so that as many people in Bedfordshire can pay their respects and pray for the life of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh, HM The Queen and the Royal Family. “

Join You Tube Live Stream on Friday 16th April at 5pm at https://youtu.be/u2pGGiBRcw0 

Census 2021 - There is still time to complete it

As you will be aware the Census took place on the 21st March this year.

If you haven’t done it,  there is still time to complete the Census and you can do this throughout April and into May.

The online Census completion date has been extended from the 4th May for another week.

The paper request date via our helpline numbers below, remains the same, the 30th April, but forms can be completed and returned during May.

For language support, see https://census.gov.uk/help/languages-and-accessibility/languages

For language helpline & interpreters, call 0800 587 2021

For support center, call 0800 141 2021

To request a paper questionnaire, call 0800 876 6276

For the local drop in support center at ESOL College, Dunstable Road (open Monday to Friday from 10.30am to 5pm), please call in advance to make an appointment at 01582 410069

https://census.gov.uk/downloadable-resources

See Press Release & Myth Buster document here.

Samantha Glicksman

Census Engagement Manager-Luton | Office for National Statistics | 

+44 (0)7452939497| samantha.glicksman01@field.census.gov.uk | www.census.gov.uk

Happy Vaisakhi

Baisakhi or Vaisakhi, the festival of positivity, is the harvest festival of Punjab (Northwest India), which people across religions celebrate.

In Bangladesh it is known as ‘Boishakhi’ and is celebrated vibrantly as a social and cultural festival.

However, for Sikhs, the day is also associated with the laying down of the foundation of the Khalsa community (the body of fully initiated Sikhs) by the Sikh Tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh Ji. The Khalsa was created with the ‘Panj Pyare’ – the five beloved ones – each one embodying the virtues of compassion, righteousness, courage, commitment and oneness.

In normal times, devotees across the globe wear new attire and visit gurudwaras to offer prayers. However, owing to the pandemic, half a million British-Sikhs marked the Vaisakhi festival under coronavirus lockdown restrictions for the second year running.

Sanjeev Kumar MBE, General Secretary Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton, who have been distributing hot meals, food parcels and personal protective equipment said, “During the pandemic, Sikhs have shown their compassion and commitment by serving their local communities with langar – free kitchens – serving everyone, regardless of their background, recognising humanity’s oneness.”

Guru Nanak Gurudwara Luton decided the best way to celebrate Vaisakhi was by holding a vaccination clinic at the Gurudwara, where a Sikh volunteer, Gurch Randhawa, who is also a professor of diversity in public health at the University of Bedfordshire, said, “What better service than opening up a pop-up clinic that reaches out to anybody of any religion,” said Randhawa, who helped organize the event. “We have had Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, all coming in to be vaccinated.”

High Sheriff of Bedfordshire Award to Guru Ravidass Sangat Luton for their services to Luton’s communities during the Pandemic

Mr Baljit Singh, President Guru Nanak Gurdwara taking vaccination at the Sikh temple in Luton (AP Photo/Alberto Pezzali)

Building Resilience during Pandemic

The ongoing global Coronavirus pandemic has put everything to test. Besides promoting information around vaccination and other guidance to prevent spreading the virus, we also focused upon how in other ways pandemic is impacting our local communities. Funded by NEAR NEIGHBOURS PROGRAMME We therefore produced series of VIDEO CASTS to address range of practical and real issues impacting people’s general health and well-being, under an overarching theme of building resilience during the pandemic through art, faith, storytelling. Hope you find it helpful viewing the following links.

Building Resilience from a Faith Perspective

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZXNAJK2_iu0

Building Resilience Through Arts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bTO8FUL-ZPc

Building Resilience: Young people's voice

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4v4IUzD-08s&t=30s

Health and Resilience during the Pandemic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQ7bFXKzrgk

Resilience and Racism in the context of the Pandemic

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7vWgpwan1N0&t=17s

Resilience - Beyond Death

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l586QtNuU8s

The Duke of Edinburgh 1921 – 2021

It is with huge sorrow that we learned of the death of Her Majesty The Queen's beloved husband, Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh, this morning.

He passed away peacefully at Windsor Castle.

His long and dedicated service to our nation will forever be honoured and respected.

We join with Her Majesty and members of The Royal Family in mourning his loss deeply.

Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire Helen Nellis said "On behalf of the people of Bedfordshire, may I express our sincere condolences to Her Majesty The Queen and to the Royal Family for the loss of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. His contribution to the life of this nation and to the Commonwealth was enormous. He was a welcome and popular visitor to our county, always ensuring that every person he met felt special. His good humour and his genuine support for so many organisations will always be respected and remembered. May he Rest in Peace."

Please find Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire press release here.

Chair of Luton Council of Faiths Zafar Khan said, “Prince Philip's passing sees an end of an era not only in the United Kingdom but throughout especially, the old British Commonwealth. For many of us in Britain, Prince Philip and Her Majesty the Queen have been a permanent fixture for many decades. Prince Philip's death therefore is not only a great loss for Her Majesty the Queen, the British Royal family, but one feels, has also created a sense of loss, and sadness for many millions of people in Britain. The Prince will be remembered for many things in times to come; but the Duke of Edinburgh's award would remain one of his enduring contributions among others within the British society.”

The tributes from those of many faiths that are being shared are a testimony to the wide appreciation among the UK’s faith communities of his life of service and the significance of faith within that.

Please find Luton Council of Faiths press release here.

Please find Inter Faith Network for the UK press release here.

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh (10 June 1921 - 9 April 2021)

Journey to COP26 Wherever You Are (10 - 11 April 2021)

https://www.quaker.org.uk/events/journey-to-cop26-un-climate-talks

An invitation for people of all faith communities and none to join together remotely and share our belief in the sacredness of all life, ahead of the UN climate talks, COP26.

In November 2021, governments of all nations will converge on Glasgow for the UN climate talks known as COP26.

This is a crucial time for building the movement for climate justice. People in Britain and beyond want radical action to prevent climate breakdown – and we must make sure that the UK government knows that.
Many people in the UK share a deep concern for the damage being done to the Earth, our home. In our concern, we recognise that every place is sacred and that we all have a responsibility to protect the Earth and all its inhabitants.

We are a group of Quakers calling on all concerned communities in the UK, including people of other faiths and people of no faith, to join us in celebration of the sacredness of all life and places on Earth.

On Saturday 10 April and Sunday 11 April we invite you to participate in this celebration of our environment by making a short journey to any place that is sacred to you.

Your journey could be to your garden or local park, or a day long hike! If your sacred place is your own living room it could even be a spiritual or virtual journey. It could be taken as a group or individually.

Anyone can participate in the Journey to COP26. Here are some steps you can take:

1. Start organising your journey. You could do this with friends, family, your faith community or on your own. Think about which places are sacred to you and how you might want to travel. Your journey could involve an event at the end, such as a meeting for worship, a community art exhibition or planting a tree together. It could also be an opportunity to get local politicians or local media to respond to the issue of climate change and draw attention to the COP26 negotiations.

2. Email us for bespoke help. If you want advice, support or ideas for what to do for your Journey to COP26, please get in touch! Email Oonagh Ryder, Activism Support Coordinator: oonaghr@quaker.org.uk.

3. Join our mailing list. We will share information about preparing an action in the run-up to 10 & 11 April, and share news of who else will be participating.

https://www.quaker.org.uk/events/journey-to-cop26-un-climate-talks

Yom HaShoah - 8th April 2021

Yom HaShoah (Holocaust Remembrance Day) is observed in memory of the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust as a result of the actions carried out by Nazi Germany and its collaborators.

A 40 minute Commemoration Service, prepared by the Council for Christians & Jews (CCJ) Oxford, is available to see here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c_bc64gWEVQ