Voices from Srebrenica: Online Book Event

Online Book Event: Voices from Srebrenica: Survivor Narratives of the Bosnian Genocide. With Professor Ann Petrila and Hasan Hasanovic

Joined by Dr Emir Suljagic, Director of the Srebrenica Memorial Centre and Allan Little, BBC War Correspondent.

Chaired by Professor Jon Silverman and Dr Helen Connolly, University of Bedfordshire.

Words of welcome by Professor Rebecca Bunting. Vice Chancellor of the University of Bedfordshire.

Thursday July 1st, 2021. UK 17.00 (GMT)Online Zoom Event

The University of Bedfordshire invites you to join us for this special event focusing on the voices and first- hand experiences of survivors of the Bosnian Genocide.

To book a place, please register with your contact details through the Eventbrite page link below and a zoom link for you to join in this online event will be sent to you.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/voices-from-srebrenica-survivor-narratives-of-the-bosnian-genocide-tickets-159322246127?fbclid=IwAR27-P0pSFYWhxftmO4CPLuOy6an3xGb0f3yxcaWSiB-w_X1J5zZjvT79qk

Faith groups brief MPs on priorities for COP26

Members of the Make COP Count coalition have met MPs and Peers to brief them on faith groups’ priorities for the UN climate talks (COP26) in November.

A diverse range of faith groups came together with parliamentarians for the online event on Monday 14 June.

It was co-hosted with the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Climate Change and the APPG on Faith and Society.

Faith leaders were joined by staff from faith-based organisations and young faith representatives who are passionate advocates for action on the climate crisis.

The speakers made the case for the UK government to take action on the current impact of climate breakdown on the lives and livelihoods of people around the world.

The Make COP Count coalition is campaigning for loss and damage to be on the agenda for COP26. It is also calling for an end to fossil fuel finance in the UK and abroad.

https://faithfortheclimate.org.uk/newsitem/Faith-groups-brief-MPs-on-priorities-for-COP26

The Great GET TOGETHER (Inspired by Jo Cox) 18-20 June 2021

https://www.greatgettogether.org/2021

The Great Get Together is an initiative inspired by the late Jo Cox MP, who was killed on 16th June 2016. In her first speech in Parliament, Jo said: “We have more in common than that which divides us.” So this initiative is designed to bring people together to celebrate what they have in common. Through the Great Get Together, it is expected people across the country will make new connections and promote Jo's message of unity.

Read more about The Great Get Together >

Luton Cllr Maria Lovell receives MBE

Our congratulations to Cllr Maria Lovell as she has been made a Member of the British Empire (MBE) in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2021 in recognition of her work supporting Luton’s African community during the Covid pandemic.

She said, “I’m so delighted about my MBE in the #QueensBirthdayHonours list. My mum would be over the moon and I know she’s watching from above. It couldn’t have happened at a better time. This is for love of community.”

Being a former Mayor of Luton (2020-21), she describes herself as a proud Lutonian and proclaims “I love our diverse and dynamic town”. She was only the second black woman and the first of African background to hold mayoral office in the town.

Revd Canon David Lawson, Chair of GRASSROOTS Luton said, “I am in no doubt that her leadership and service to the community of Luton is invaluable.  In particular, we have valued her contributions and support to the Fairtrade campaign being led by GRASSROOTS in Luton. We pray that she continues to go from strength to strength and indeed greater things lie ahead!”

Read her fully story here. https://m.luton.gov.uk/Page/Show/news/Pages/Councillor-Lovell-awarded-MBE.aspx

Cllr Maria Lovell supporting GRASSROOTS led Fairtrade Campaign in Luton as Deputy Mayor (2019-20). In the following year, she was appointed as the Mayor of Luton (2020-21).

The Reverend TJ Wesley stepped into his next adventure

With sadness we share the news that Rev TJ Wesley, former Methodist Minister in Luton, passed away peacefully on 7th June 2021.

GRASSROOTS Luton expresses its sincere condolences to his family and friends and we pray that God's love enfolds and comforts them all through the pain.

We fondly remember his time in Luton with gratitude. He was a pleasant and yet challenging with his particular perspective born of a breadth of his experiences.

He was laid to rest on Saturday June 12, 2021 in Fort Collins (US).

TJ's obituary is here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/ft-collins-co/tj-wesley-10225894

Rev. T J Wesley at Good Friday Walk of Witness of Bury Park Beech Hill Council of Churches in Luton on 14th April 2017

Refugee Week 2021: We Cannot Walk Alone

The theme of Refugee Week 2021, ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’, is an invitation to extend your hand to someone new. Someone who is outside your current circle, has had an experience you haven’t, or is fighting for a cause you aren’t yet involved in.

Whoever and wherever you are, join in making Refugee Week 2021 a bold, collective act of reaching out; a space for us all to listen, to exchange and connect.

Refugee Week 2021 is 14-20 June, and anyone can get involved by holding or taking part in an event or activity.

For more details, please see https://refugeeweek.org.uk/events/

G7 Inter Faith event on the theme of “Building a better world after the pandemic”

CAFOD led G7 interfaith event on the theme of “Building a better world after the pandemic” brought people of all faiths together on 10th June 2021 in an act of witness, at an event streamed live from Truro Cathedral (Cornwall), to send messages and prayers to the G7 leaders that we expect green, sustainable and fair recovery plans from the crisis, which leave no one behind.

 Over 75 of Britain’s biggest charities through ‘Crack the Crisis Coalition’ https://crackthecrises.org/#join have mobilised over 80,000 people to join in the #waveofhope campaign to showcase that through collective action hope arises.

June 11th 2021, as the world leaders landed in Cornwall UK, to attend the G7 summit, Greenpeace was there to greet them in a way they hopefully won’t forget. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QJAJ5-WZnxI

Joining these national efforts, Luton also played its part.

In an ecumenical event of GRASSROOTS, reflecting on the Catholic Encyclical Laudato Si, Sr Maire outlined Pope Francis’s vision for an integrated approach to combating poverty, restoring dignity to the excluded, protecting nature and fostering sustainable development. Explaining ‘affective conversion’ she said we must move away from thinking too much and feeling too little. To protect the Earth we must love the Earth. We must create an economy that no longer idolises profit but the integrity of creation and the well-being of all the people.

Luton Council of Faiths brought together over 30 different faith leaders, to reflect on how can climate change be racist.

Jeremy Williams, Luton based Writer-Campaigner & Award-winning Blogger https://earthbound.report/ in his presentation, shared how the world’s richest countries with the highest carbon footprints will be least affected and the poorest countries with the least carbon footprints are facing the greatest risks. This is a major social and racial justice issue.

His book “Climate Change Is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice” is available online. https://uk.bookshop.org/books/climate-change-is-racist-race-privilege-and-the-struggle-for-climate-justice/9781785787751

CAFOD led G7 Inter Faith Event held on 10th June at Truro Cathedral (Cornwall)

Near Neighbours 10th Anniversary EVENT on Friday 16th July 11-1pm

You are invited to take part in person, in Near Neighbours 10th Anniversary event, to share the impact that NN grants and projects have had on your organisation and how NN has helped your work with communities, over the years. 

Time and Date:    11am-1pm on Friday 16th July 2021 (to include lunch-socially distanced)

Venue:                   High Town Methodist Church Hall, 47, High Town Road, Luton LU2 0BW

Parking:                 Pay & Display car parks on Wenlock St (LU2 0NN) and Brunswick St (LU2 0DG)

You can share through a power point presentation, photos, personal reflection and story sharing. Presentation time will be no longer than 5-7 minutes each please. A projector will be available for your use.

Please be assured that this event will be socially distanced according to the government's guidelines, and you will be required to wear a mask when moving about, sitting at your table/chair will not be required.

Due to restrictions, there will be limited spaces on a first come first serve basis, so please confirm with a definite YES as soon as possible to Kim Greig on 07930 601640 or email near.neighbours-luton@btconnect.com

CWM Europe Online Members Mission Forum June 2021

The Council for World Mission (CWM) is a worldwide partnership of Christian churches. The 32 members are committed to sharing their resources of money, people, skills and insights globally to carry out God’s mission locally. CWM was created in 1977 and incorporates the London Missionary Society (1795), the Commonwealth Missionary Society (1836) and the (English) Presbyterian Board of Missions (1847).

In a recently held CWM Europe Members’ Mission Forum (MMF) it was an opportunity for representatives from member churches to intentionally engage with, contribute to, and participate in the shaping of the missional direction of CWM.

A virtual tour of the significant work of GRASSROOTS in Luton was shared online with the delegates attending MMF. It can be seen on this link here. https://youtu.be/GdroEllVzyQ

In appreciation, Revd Dr Michael Jagessar, Mission Secretary CWM Europe Region said, “We express our profound appreciation for your time, presence and contributions to our recently concluded Members’ Mission Forum (MMF). The fruitful and energising online MMF held over two days is a reflection of the quality of your contribution and the commitment you gave to event and the Virtual Contextual Visit to Grassroots Luton.”

“You have contributed significantly to our endeavour to continue to live out God’s vision of just world where all can share and participate in full and flourishing life. As we continue to hold each other in prayers, may your own work and ministry continue to bring you delight and may God continue to bless and lead you in exciting and surprising ways.”

Watch the virtual tour of the significant work of GRASSROOTS in Luton here. https://youtu.be/GdroEllVzyQ

National Faith Action Briefing on Covid-19

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-briefing-for-faith-communities-registration-157604608627

In just a few weeks’ time (currently pencilled in for 21st June), we are set to move into the final phase of the Government’s roadmap, where remaining restrictions are scheduled to be lifted. However, it is looking increasingly uncertain whether this final transition will go ahead as planned, with talk of postponing this date or leaving some restrictions in place. Additionally, through our (FaithAction) frequent focus groups with different faith communities, it is clear that concerns still abound.

It is not yet clear, for example, what impact the ‘Indian variant’ of COVID-19 will have, or whether young people will step forward to receive the vaccine at the same impressive rate as the rest of the population. Regardless of when and how ‘complete’ the next easing of restrictions will be, there are many questions about best practice and what is safe that need to be addressed.

Moreover. if restrictions are indeed lifted as planned, without the benchmark set by the government’s places of worship guidance, and the onus then on each of us to exercise wisdom, it is important that we come together to discuss a course of action moving forward.

Join FaithAction at 7pm on Wednesday 16th June for a national briefing event for faith communities, where two members of the places of worship taskforce and public health officials will present some thoughts on how best to move forward through the final phase of the roadmap, followed by an opportunity for Q&A and discussion.

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/national-briefing-for-faith-communities-registration-157604608627

Places of Worship (POW): Protective Security Funding Scheme

Please see link to Places of Worship Protective Security Fund relaunched.  Applications will be taken up until the deadline on Friday 2nd July, the maximum amount applied for within a single application will be £56,000.

 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/places-of-worship-security-funding-scheme#history

For any further questions and/or support re application submission, please contact:

Sanjeev Kumar | Community Coordinator | Luton Borough Council

sanjeev.kumar@luton.gov.uk / Tel: 01582 548774 / M : 07734 370657

Climate Change Is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice

Ahead of World Environment Day, in its meeting of over 30 faith leaders representing Luton’s diverse faith communities, Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF), supported by GRASSROOTS Luton, reflected on the theme of “Climate Change and Racism”.

Jeremy Williams, Luton based Writer-Campaigner-Award winning Blogger https://earthbound.report/ (named Britain’s best green blog by the UK Blog Awards) shared his thoughts, which can be summarised as following.

Climate Change is big on the Agenda for this year, least because the UK will host the 26th UN Climate Change COP26 Conference in Glasgow on 1 – 12 November 2021. However, in the light of Black Lives Matter movement, Jeremy said the two big crises of racism and climate change that we face in the 21st-century are actually intimately connected.

People often wonder and question how can climate change be racist? It is about structural racism, where outcomes of climate change are different and much harder on people of colour. Jeremy said his book “Climate Change Is Racist: Race, Privilege and the Struggle for Climate Justice” tries to encapsulate these issues.

The book can be purchased at these links

https://uk.bookshop.org/books/climate-change-is-racist-race-privilege-and-the-struggle-for-climate-justice/9781785787751

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YK1285V/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

In his presentation, Jeremy shared colour-coded images of the world map showing how the world’s richest countries of white populations have the highest carbon footprints and the poorest countries of black populations have the least carbon footprints. This is a major social justice issue he said. People most responsible for the climate change are going to be least affected and the people who have contributed the least to the climate change are facing the greatest risks.

Climate change has been disproportionately caused by the white people and it will be disproportionately suffered by people of colour and the places that will suffer most will be in Africa and also in Caribbean where people are confronting the risks of the rising sea levels and in the Equatorial regions, because if you live around the equator then global warming is naturally going to be much more dangerous especially if you live in a hot country. If you live in a temperate country, where we are or in other Scandinavian countries, the rising levels of heat may not be bad in the same way but if you live where it is already very hot like in North Africa and the Middle East or in South Asia, the rising temperatures can be harmful.

 Therefore, it is crucial that we see climate justice issue also as a racial justice issue.

 The continent of Africa is going to suffer the most as a result of the climate change and it is the same continent that Jeremy said my ancestors exploited throughout the age of slavery, imperialism and colonialism and now through climate change.

 Jeremy said I want to take up responsibility and ownership of such difficult history and raise awareness that why it is always people like me who end up on the top and it is always people like the ones I grew up with in the countries of Madagascar and Kenya end up at the bottom.

Jeremy’s book can be found on these links

https://uk.bookshop.org/books/climate-change-is-racist-race-privilege-and-the-struggle-for-climate-justice/9781785787751

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YK1285V/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/environment/luton-authors-book-challenges-impact-of-race-on-climate-change-3256440

GRASSROOTS Luton has committed to work alongside Luton Council of Faiths to continue promoting compostable cutlery amongst Luton’s different faith communities. Considering Luton’s 78% population is religiously affiliated, there are numerous faith events held in a year, which can substantially reduce our plastic waste. As such the UK sends much of its plastic waste to poorer nations where it is often burnt, which reinforces how climate justice issue is also as a racial justice issue. It is about structural racism, where outcomes of climate change are different and much harder and are at times by choice directed towards poorer countries

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/jan/12/loophole-will-let-uk-continue-to-ship-plastic-waste-to-poorer-countries

https://www.greenpeace.org.uk/news/plastic-recycling-export-incineration/

https://www.una-luton.uk/climate-crisis

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/resilience-in-light-of-covid-climate-action-on-the-road-to-cop26

The book can be purchased at this link.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08YK1285V/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

Church of England Community Sponsorship Event

The government has announced an intention to scale up community sponsorship as part of its New Plan For Immigration. To find out about Community Sponsorship and how you can play your part, and to hear from people who've experienced the transformative power of Community Sponsorship first hand, along with a welcome from the Archbishop of Canterbury, join a session led by Reset, the charity that trains Community Sponsors across the UK, on the 17 June from 18:00-19:00. Please register interest on this link: https://communitysponsorship.org.uk/events

The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service 2021 for Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF)

GRASSROOTS Luton congratulates our partner organisation LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS (LCoF) for having received this year, The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service (QAVS), which is the highest award a voluntary group can receive in the UK.

LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS will receive the award crystal and certificate from The Queen’s representative HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis, later this summer.

The QAVS recipients are announced each year on 2nd June, the anniversary of The Queen’s Coronation. While nationally LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS is one of 241 charities, in the Bedfordshire County, it is the only organisation to receive the prestigious award this year,

Zafar Khan, Chair of LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS says: “We are extremely delighted to receive this award recognising the hard work of our volunteers, young and old from different faiths and cultures supporting our work over the years especially in schools where children participate in our numerous events culminating in our Annual Peace Walk event. This recognition is also timely as LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS celebrates its 25th Anniversary.”

HM Lord-Lieutenant of Bedfordshire, Helen Nellis said "I am delighted that LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS has been recognised with this prestigious Award. It is doing a tremendous job of reaching out to the various groups within our community and helping people to live in peace and harmony. My sincere congratulations to all at LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS; I look forward to presenting them with their award”.

Revd Canon David Lawson, Chair of GRASSROOTS Programme said, “What wonderful news that Luton Council of Faiths (LCoF) has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service. This is surely testimony to the work of LCoF over many years working tirelessly to make Luton a peaceful and harmonious community. So many people, too numerous to mention, from a variety of faiths and cultures, are committed to making LCoF’s vision a reality, and the Queen’s Award is for them. Grassroots sends LCoF our heartiest congratulations and looks forward to continuing to work with them as our partner organisation.”

David Jonathan (Johny), Director, for both GRASSROOTS & LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS said, “THANK YOU to all those who have been actively supporting our work and for believing in our vision that PEACE (and peaceful co-existence) is possible, provided we do not just believe in PEACE or just pray for it but also actively work for it. Some critics say it is as fragile as a candle flame, but our response has always been it is better to keep lighting a candle than to curse the darkness.”

For LUTON COUNCIL OF FAITHS Press Release, please click here.

For a Congratulations letter from the Government of UK’s Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport, please click here.

https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/luton-council-of-faiths-receives-the-queens-award-for-voluntary-service-3258354?s=08

http://lutonchurchestogether.org.uk/news/luton-council-of-faiths-lcof-receives-the-queens-award-for-voluntary-service-qavs/

https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3856-urc-supported-charity-gains-queen-s-voluntary-award?dm_i=2JB1,1R7II,A2VPCX,610K8,1

G7 Inter Faith Event - Building a Better World After the Pandemic

https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/G7-interfaith-event-Truro

10 June 2021 at 7pm Livestreamed from Truro Cathedral

What's happening?

The G7 summit will see heads of government of seven of the world’s richest countries - including President Joe Biden - travel to Cornwall and discuss how the world can rebuild after the coronavirus pandemic.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has a crucial role to play, with the UK holding the presidency of the G7.

We want to send a message that people of faith in the UK and around the world expect them to put in place plans for a global and green recovery from the crisis which leaves no one behind.

Read full article here https://cafod.org.uk/News/Events/G7-interfaith-event-Truro

URC Eastern Synod divests from fossil fuels ahead of G7 and COP26

Read the full article on this link https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3820-urc-eastern-synod-divests-from-fossil-fuels-ahead-of-g7-and-cop26.html?dm_i=2JB1,1QUCE,A2VPCX,5ZGWV,1

The United Reformed Church (URC) Eastern Synod has joined 35 faith institutions from 11 countries in announcing its divestment from fossil fuels.

Eleven out of 13 URC Synods have now joined the URC in announcing their divestment from fossil fuels, as recommended by Mission Council in May 2019.

A full list of the 36 institutions divesting from fossil fuels and statements from leaders can be found here. Read the announcement in full here.

Read the full article on this link https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3820-urc-eastern-synod-divests-from-fossil-fuels-ahead-of-g7-and-cop26.html?dm_i=2JB1,1QUCE,A2VPCX,5ZGWV,1

Image: Markus Spiske/Unsplash
Published: 18 May 2021 https://urc.org.uk/latest-news/3820-urc-eastern-synod-divests-from-fossil-fuels-ahead-of-g7-and-cop26.html?dm_i=2JB1,1QUCE,A2VPCX,5ZGWV,1

Black Lives Matter - One Year On in Luton

It is one year since George Floyd was murdered on 25th May 2020 in Minneapolis (US).

To commemorate this and to remember and refresh our commitment to the ethos of racial justice and Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) is holding George Floyd Service of Reflection at 7pm, 25 May 2021. You can download the order of service here and information flyer here.

As part of its series of webinars on 'building life-flourishing communities' The Council for World (CWM) Europe has organised Whiteness and Anti-racist practice: from talk to action with Revd. Dr Peter Cruchley | Photography from BLM Protests with Maxime de Palme | Theological Implications for the Legacies of Slavery with Prof. Anthony Reddie. All these and several other webinars on topical themes can be viewed on CWM Europe YouTube Channel.

However, in Luton, to commemorate Black Lives Matter - One Year On, Luton Council of Faiths, supported by GRASSROOTS Programme held a special meeting of faith leaders and other stakeholders on 24th May and invited Pas Vincent Cox of Luton based New Testament Church of God, as a local black faith leader to speak about co-developing an Interdenominational Commission on Racial Justice of Christian faith leaders.

Pas Vincent started by sharing that after the death of George Floyd and after Luton Black Lives Matter Protest was organised by Luton’s young people peacefully on 6th June 2020, we as Churches Together in Luton had considered issuing a statement but we concluded that statements on its own do not bring about the change that is needed. As black & white church leaders we started sharing experiences of racial injustices and prejudice, which progressed into an Interdenominational Commission on Racial Justice. Pas Vincent concluded “we need to be mindful of the fact that real change may bring pain and we must be ready to confront it.”

 When asked what expected outcomes of this commission are, Pas Vincent responded;

• Discerning, defining and understanding what does it mean to be black in the UK/Luton? How black communities and people often find themselves at the bottom of the upside down pyramid of the so-called BAME (Black, Asian and minority ethnic) communities?

• Identifying and articulating disadvantages that the black communities face,  before articulating solutions and strategies to create equity around those disadvantages.

• Acknowledging how UK and Churches, nationally and/or locally may have benefited from the profits of the slavery.

• Influencing Curriculum to highlight and acknowledge the contributions of the African and Caribbean communities beyond their contributions in the world wars

• Creating awareness of the Black Lives Matter Motion passed recently by the Luton Council – what does it mean for the town, for the black people. https://www.blackhistorymonth.org.uk/article/section/news/unanimous-luton-council-agreement-for-communitys-black-lives-matter-action-plan/

  &

  https://www.lutontoday.co.uk/news/people/black-community-leaders-luton-welcome-councils-efforts-stamp-out-racism-and-hate-3111813

We express our solidarity with the family and friends of Sasha Johnson: Black Lives Matter activist who has been shot in London.

https://www.connectfutures.org/2021/05/is-the-uk-still-racist-and-what-have-we-done-about-it/

https://www.theguardian.com/world/black-lives-matter-movement

https://www.theguardian.com/society/2021/may/27/eve-pitts-church-of-england-first-black-female-vicar-fiercest-critics

https://www.theworldreimagined.org/?fbclid=IwAR3hItdmtgUYeBkmxX7ioLOdlc8hdpM_RMnUUaFW4mGeTgmUTUUd-PzD7Dg#/

Black Lives Matter protest in Luton held on 6th June 2020

Farewell to Revd Dr Andrew Prasad, Moderator, Thames North Synod URC

At a recent farewell service (held online) for Revd Dr Andrew Prasad, on his retirement after almost 13 years as Moderator of the Thames North Synod of the United Reformed Church (URC), it was a time of celebration and thanksgiving for Andrew's ministry within the Synod, and the wider Church.

It was also an opportunity to hear from a variety of people who had worked with Andrew during 43 years of his Christian ministry and service.

Revd Dr Andrew Prasad had previously served the Church of North India from 1978 -1989 and the Council for World Mission (CWM) from 1989-99. After this he had served at Streatham Asian Christian Fellowship before transferring to the URC, where he served at Dulwich Grove, Camberwell Green (2002-2008) and was then appointed Moderator of Thames North.

Revd Heather Whyte, URC Minister in Luton had kindly prepared the service and led the opening prayer.

A short reflection on Andrew’s life in ministry was shared by Revd Nigel Uden, former Moderator of the URC’s Southern Synod, currently ministering at Downing Place URC.

Besides Andrew’s family members, tributes were also paid by representatives from Church of North India, Council for World Mission (CWM), Streatham Asian Fellowship, Dulwich Grove URC and Thames North Synod.

Litany of release, followed by prayers of concern and commitment were led Revd Jane Weedon, currently ministering at Welwyn Garden City United Reformed Church.

Revd Dr Andrew Prasad gave the final blessing.

During the service, people described Andrew as being the ‘Best Boss’. He has a listening ear, reflecting mind, visionary and strategic thinking. He was also described as a good shepherd, guiding light and the best pastor with patience, kindness, humility, passion for justice, perseverance, endurance and above all simplicity.

David Jonathan, Director GRASSROOTS Programme, in his farewell message to Andrew said, “May your works and services continue to remain the source of blessing for others. On behalf of GRASSROOTS Luton and also on my personal behalf I extend you heartfelt thanks for all your support, encouragement and blessings and best wishes for your retirement. May God’s glory continue to shine in & through your life’s ongoing journey.”

Revd Canon David Lawson, Chair of GRASSROOTS Programme, in his farewell message to Andrew, said, “We at Grassroots have also much to thank you for in terms of your personal support and interest in our work, but also the ongoing support from the URC Thames North Synod. As one of our partners you have been critical to enabling Grassroots to continue its work of building a more cohesive and peaceful community in Luton.” Commenting on retirement for a Christian minister only a transition from one form of ministry to another, David wished Andrew a long, happy and fulfilling retirement saying

‘For all that has been, thanks. To all that shall be, yes!’

Thank you Revd Dr Andrew Prasad and URC Thames North Synod for your support to GRASSROOTS Luton

Revd Dr Andrew Prasad, Moderator , URC Thames North Synod speaking at Luton's CRCW Project Finale Event on 19th Feb'20

East Jerusalem Al Ahli Hospital Appeal 2021

The Archbishop in Jerusalem is appealing to all people of goodwill to support this humanitarian mission through their generous contributions to Al Ahli Hospital in Gaza.

https://www.jmeca.org.uk/get-involved/donate/current-appeals-0/al-ahli-hospital-appeal-2021

Please join us in prayer for an end to this devastating conflict:

Almighty and Everlasting God: Our days are in your hands; we lift up all those in the Holy Land who are victims of violence and injustice, that you might empower your Church to bring healing to the wounded, relief to the suffering, and comfort to those who mourn; we pray also that you would soften the hearts of all those involved in the recent conflicts, that they would be led to work for justice and lasting peace in the land where your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ first came to bring hope and abundant life to all people; these things we ask in his Holy Name. Amen. (Prayer by Archbishop Hosam in Jerusalem)

https://cafdonate.cafonline.org/17026#!/DonationDetails

Call for a ceasefire to protect Palestinians and Israelis

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stand-palestinians-and-israelis-call-ceasefire-today

The cycle of violence spirals out of control, with many innocent Palestinians and Israelis dead, wounded or simply exhausted with fear. 

This cannot continue. Palestinians and Israelis deserve better from the international community which must treat both as equals and ensure justice is served if peace is to be achieved. 

Call on the UK Government to pursue an immediate ceasefire today.

https://www.christianaid.org.uk/get-involved/campaigns/stand-palestinians-and-israelis-call-ceasefire-today