Annual Report 2017

Annual Report 2017

Introduction

We are pleased to report to Churches Together in Luton on our work as the CTL committee during January to December 2016..

Visiting speakers

This year our meetings have hosted various visitors. Hazel Simmons (leader of the council) visited us in January and discussed issues including housing and the proposed new football ground. In March, Mandy Godfree of the Christian Police Association, Inspector Hob Hoque and Chief Superintendent Dave Boyle attended and talked about an initiative called ‘Faith in Action’ which CTL agreed to support. In September we welcomed Father Sean Healey, who explained the history and current purpose of CTL/BEC

Ecumenical Deans’ group

The Ecumenical Dean’s Group consisted of Rev Julie Bradshaw (Methodist), Mgr Kevin McGinnell (RC), Rev Janet MacKenzie (Anglican). In September, Rev Janet became Archdeacon of Hertford and Rev Joe Pienaar (Anglican) joined the team. As agreed at the AGM in 2016, the Deans group continued to meet over the year for business with CTL as well as meeting together for mutual support. This has been working well this year and it is proposed that this should continue. A successful event was held for the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity led by Sister Gemma Simmonds, CJ, on Sharing Christian Spirituality. The Deans’ Group takes up also specific issues that can often concern clergy across the denominations in their pastoral practice.

Bedfordshire Ecumenical Community (BEC)

This is the ‘parent’ of CTL, our link to Churches Together England www.cte.org.uk , to whom we pay a membership each year. Having been asked why churches should be members, they are putting together a document to explain their purpose. (See renewal packs).Membership of BEC has grown from 16 denominations to 44. Anita Nancollas attends our meeting as the BEC representative or CEDO.

(Churches Together in England 'A visible sign of the Churches' commitment as they seek a deepening of their communion with Christ and with one another, and proclaim the Gospel together by common witness and service. Its strength comes from people from different traditions finding new ways to work and worship together'. You are welcome to join us on our journey.)

Interfaith Relations

Peter Adams represents CTL on the Luton Council of Faiths, and the Ecumenical Deans also seek to have a regular attendee. He has been very involved in discussions with leaders of other faiths on when and how we can work together.In particular he and Tony Thompson were involved in bringing together a working group to jointly oppose all forms of Child Sexual Exploitation, and in July 2016 they launched FACES – Faiths Against Child Sexual Exploitation – as a coalition.

Extremism

This has continued to be a problem in Luton as well as elsewhere. Peter has worked hard meeting various groups to discuss the issues and played a key part in peacekeeping when demonstrations have taken place, Britain First marched in Bury Park in January and caused great offence, Peter and others went to Bury Park the next day to assure local Muslims that Britain First did NOT represent Christians. This was well received. Members of BF as well as luton members of extremist Muslim group al-Mujajiroun have faced court cases and been found guilty.

In December members of the CTL exec sent a letter expressing concern at the government's Prevent counter extremism legislation, and IRS impact in the Muslim community. This has been well received, was mentioned in the House of Lords in December, and discussions are ongoing.

Impact of Austerity.

This has been on our agenda every meeting. We have discussed the work of the food bank, Level Trust and others reflecting sadly on the increased need for such bodies. The council budget included closing several community centres. Several churches are working with or functioning as community centres and Peter has looked into how receptive the council might be to other schemes like this.

CTL Directory

After some delay as a result of changes to the database, CTL have produced a new directory this year. People were asked to check their entries before final printing so it is hoped it is fairly accurate. We were advised of some changes, but if anyone knows any errors in the directory please let Sue know and she will update the database. There were posted out to all churches registered as paid-up members in the last three years – if you didn’t get one, please see Sue and we can find out why (and provide you with copy). I have some extras - they are available for £3 (+ postage if necessary) if you would like any extras. I would like to thank Grassroots for collating and binding these for us free of charge, also The Square Dunstable who printed them for us at a good rate.

Website

Sue has maintained the website with up-to-date events, news, jobs and other items of interest. The emails have been replaced by a weekly newsletter including details of these items with links to the item on the webpage, as well as incorporating reminders of imminent events and deadlines. We have received several positive comments on these. Please continue to advise us of anything you would like included (preferably with a few weeks’ notice) and we will do our best to accommodate you.

Clusters

Michael has been talking to the various clusters and produced an internal report on what is working where – and what is not. We will continue this in 2017 to see if the exec can be more involved or provide any support if needed.

Events

Prayer Meetings

Two streams of prayer meeting have continued to run monthly in the town. On Thursday mornings, Church Leaders have met for an early prayer meeting, followed by a speaker or discussion of key issues. Prayer4Luton have continued to hold open monthly meetings specifically to pray for Luton and all the issues. Ulrike puts out a weekly email of issues and anyone not receiving it can contact her to be added to the list. I also put this on the website (most) weeks.

Hustings

A husting was held for people from CTL and TL before the EU referendum.

Walk of Witness

There was a Good Friday walk in the town centre supported by several church/organisations. The Central Mosque in Bury Park arranged for Muslims to be out to support the walk, which was much appreciated by those who took part. Several areas also held walks locally. It was suggested we could consolidate this into one central walk. For 2017 this has not been arranged.

Pentecost

We ran a Celebration on Pentecost Sunday, the highlight was a visible sign of our unity together with around 70 churches and Christian organisations coming together to declare that we are the church in Luton and lighting a candle.

Neighbours Together Community Festival.

GP Neighbours Together 3-day festival was held on 8th-10th July with the theme of “mental health issues”, which had been requested by the youth. The Gospel Pentecostal church held regular coffee mornings to discuss various issues.

Christmas Lights Switch

As usual, we attended the switch on and had carols. Some of the other events did not happen this year but it was good to be represented at such an important time in the Christian year.

New Year’s Eve Crossover Event (Midnight service31/12/16)

·  5 Pentecostal Churches in Luton worked together to put up the event

·  The Churches appreciate the support of Churches Together (CTL)

·  Prayers were said for Luton town/leaders/youth/families/LBC & other agencies/CTL/Churches

·  Event went well (praise be to God) despite the short preparation

·  There is hope of repeating the event annually with adequate time for preparation and wider participation from other Churches in Luton.

Future Plans

Civic Prayer Meeting/Service

Following on from a Christian prayer meeting Michael attended and heard what other towns are doing, we are working on holding a service specifically to thank and pray for those in Civic employment such as the council and police.

Meetings with the Council and other Church Leaders

In 2017 we have already planned meetings with Hazel Simmons, leader of LBC, and SallyRowe Corporate Director at LBC, and two other Church Leaders with inspiring stories of the work in their area to see what we can learn.

In Conclusion

Churches Together Executive are very grateful for the encouragement you give us and will continue to work on behalf of all Christians in Luton, both at public events and the ‘behind the scenes’ work which many of the committee spend so much time on.

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