LUTON ROMA TRUST WEBSITE GOES LIVE!

Click here to go to Luton Roma Trust website

"ROMA COMMUNITY CHAMPION" for Luton UK - Could it be you?

Luton Roma Trust are creating a new part time post for a "Roma Community Champion".   We are looking for a Roma person who speaks Romani,  English and ideally Romanian, and can read and write English too!  You'll need these skills to help our Romanian Roma community here in Luton to integrate in the UK.  You will be part of our "Roma Inter Agency Team".   Our aim is to help the Roma here in Luton glimpse a future they have so far not even dreamt of!  Interested in applying?   click here to email me   I'd love to hear from you!  Pastor Martin

Send your comments on the Songs of Praise clip!

click here to send a message!

Luton Roma Church on Songs of Praise

Click here and find us 20mins into programme

Economic Migration to UK: why Bobby came to Luton!

click here to see ITV Anglia news item on LRC

Night of Prayer coming up!

We have our second "Noapte de Veghe" this Friday 24 January starting 7pm, finishing 1am.   All welcome to come.  Bury Park URC, 19 Waldeck Road, Luton LU1 1HG.  We are expecting Roma from across the UK to come as well as some from Germany and France.  Watch this space!  Our Roma guys have been praying every night in the build up to this event and there is a huge sense of anticipation.  There seems to be a direct link between the physical struggle to survive and spiritual hunger for God.  

"Though we are many, we are one body..."

"Though we are many, we are one body, because we all share in one bread".  When all rhetoric has fallen silent, and everything possible has been done to build bridges between one community and another; when all our efforts to bring peace to earth have run into the sand, we turn at the last to the mystery of the Lord's Supper.  We eat and drink in memory of Jesus who through his death broke down every barrier that separates one human from another.  Reaching out to the right and to the left, his arms on the cross continue to draw all humankind into his heart.  Many kick and scream, preferring the easy way out of mutual isolation.  But he continues to draw us in...

It's tempting to think that at this, our very first communion, the only barriers to fall are between Roma and non-Roma.  Far from it.  Pastor Viorel (here holding the bread) explained to me that dark spots on the home-baked, unleavened bread, represent Jesus' wounds.  We will continue to wound him until that moment when the process of reconciliation has been completed: between Roma/Gadjo;  Rom/Romni; Adult/Child; Poor/Rich; Roma from Hunedoara/Roma from Toflia; English Gypsy/Eastern European Roma.  "Why do you persecute me?" cries the risen but still wounded Jesus.

But on this same day of our first communion, South Africa is burying one man who continued to believe against all the evidence that Black and White could peaceably co-exist and even come to love one another.  Every generation needs its Nelson Mandelas.  Political vision will take us some of the way.  But ultimately it will only be when we all share of the one bread, that we will finally become one body, the Body of Christ on earth.  

We should not be disheartened by an increase in conflict.  It might just be a sign we are aiming at the right goal.  For in refusing to compromise on unity, the stakes are raised and "the thoughts of many hearts revealed."

LUTON ROMA CHURCH AT WORSHIP - SEE YOUTUBE CLIP!

LUTON ROMA CHURCH BAPTISMS  - CLICK TO SEE OUR RECENT BAPTISM SERVICE!

A Roma baptism doesn't happen at a certain appointed hour in the service.  It happens when the Holy Spirit has arrived is such a way that an overflow into the baptism is a natural development.  The taking of photos of the candidates was part of the 'liturgy' and to my amazement in no way interrupted the spiritual atmosphere.  To film the service was not to reduce it to a Hollywood movie, but to preserve it to be viewed when spirits flag in the harsh reality of everyday life for a Roma person.

Move to new Church premises!

"See I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut.  I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name." [Rev 3:8]  On Sunday 1 December we move into new premises in Luton which promise the chance of a new beginning to our children's work which our old building could not manage.  This new church has two separate halls under the same roof which are perfect for the pre-school children and the older ones.  Meanwhile there's room for 300 adults in the main worship space - so room for growth!   If you are reading this and wonder how you could help do please send me a message!  We need every hand on deck into the future....
mburrell51@googlemail.com

Roma Elders appointed...mission begins...

Last Sunday I spotted this beautiful rainbow as I was going out in my car to bring some Roma people into the service.  From where I was standing, outside one Roma family home, the rainbow seemed to be throwing a blessing over the whole Bury Park area of Luton.  This is where we meet both in church, and on the streets, and in some of the homes.

A little later, in the service, we commissioned our new Roma elders team.  This is a big step forward as the leadership is more widely shared and the Roma guys are picking up responsibilities with great passion.

Today we begin the mission.  "Mission" means only only one thing for the Roma: taking the Gospel into family homes.  At the service we asked who wanted a visit.  As Jesus taught, we seek out the 'people of peace', those open to the Spirit, and join in with what God is doing.

Watch this space...

Baptisms!

We have just celebrated the baptism of 4 Roma guys.  You can see them in the distance in white.  120 came from across Luton and from afar for a service that lasted over four hours.  The absence of an order of service makes it possible to wait for as long as necessary for the presence of the Spirit to be powerful enough for the baptism to proceed.  Just before we got in the full immersion font, photos galore were taken by everyone of the four candidates, just like at a wedding.  For a moment I thought this would turn the worship into a Hollywood set.  In fact the photographing became somehow part of the liturgy.  Extraordinary.

Judge Ryan reports on our mock trial of UK Government

"Mock Trial  -  Luton Roma Community sues the UK Government

At Beech Hill Methodist Church in Luton on Saturday 29 June a group of Roma people based in Luton and others including Bishop Richard of Bedford witnessed a mock trial designed to highlight the plight of their Roma brothers and sisters as they try to make new lives here in our diocese.

Although Romanians can now enter the UK as an accession state subscribing to the European Treaties, until 1 January 2014 they have no right to work other than as self-employed persons. 

This dramatic event, the concept of Rev Martin Burrell of Christchurch, Bushmead, and chaplain to the Roma people in the diocese, was devised by Adam Weiss and Emma Fenelon from a legal charity, AIRE, (Advice on Individual Rights in Europe). 

Employment Judge Tom Ryan, a member of the diocesan Penal Affairs Group and a Crown Court Recorder presided at the “trial” at which Bobby  Bobiica, assisted in giving evidence by Elvis  Calin  who translated for him, explained how the Government, by delaying and frustrating applications by Romanian nationals for National Insurance numbers, effectively prevents them from gaining employment and access to a range of benefits. 

The Government’s “case” was advanced by Professor Thomas Acton who until recently held the chair of Roma studies at the University of Greenwich.  He is and has been an authority on Roma matters for many years and is much more inclined to support the Roma than otherwise but he argued a contrary case to little effect.

Judge Tom Ryan invited the assembly to consider themselves a jury for the purpose of the case. The jury voted conclusively in support of the Roma case. 

We are asked to point out that this was a wholly fictional case in which the Government were not invited to take part.  The drama was intended only to illustrate the difficulties Roma people face and to encourage us all to support them in any way we can." 

[see picture in ealier post below]    

    

Volunteers bring English & Literacy to the Roma families

In partnership with Luton Adult Learning, 14 volunteers have trained how to deliver English Language and Literacy to our Roma families.  Each volunteer is carefully matched to each family and several are now up and running.  As you can see below, we have a wide range of people who have volunteered.  Funding has come from Bedfordshire & Luton Community Foundation.   The needs of the Roma community are hugely diverse, even within the same family.   We hope over a generation to break the cycle of illeracy leading to unemployability, poverty and dependancy.  Above all, if the families start to believe "English is cool," then anything is possible.  School teachers constantly beg us to do anything we can to help their Roma pupils keep pace with the class, Roma parents often ask for help too.  If more funding is forthcoming, then we can train up more volunteers...   Keen to come on board?  Email me here!

A word from the Lord for the Roma

Ezekiel 34:20-31

New Revised Standard Version (NRSV)

²⁰ Therefore, thus says the Lord God to them: I myself will judge between the fat sheep and the lean sheep.²¹ Because you pushed with flank and shoulder, and butted at all the weak animals with your horns until you scattered them far and wide, ²² I will save my flock, and they shall no longer be ravaged; and I will judge between sheep and sheep.
²³ I will set up over them one shepherd, my servant David, and he shall feed them: he shall feed them and be their shepherd. ²⁴ And I, the Lord, will be their God, and my servant David shall be prince among them; I, theLord, have spoken.
²⁵ I will make with them a covenant of peace and banish wild animals from the land, so that they may live in the wild and sleep in the woods securely. ²⁶ I will make them and the region around my hill a blessing; and I will send down the showers in their season; they shall be showers of blessing. ²⁷ The trees of the field shall yield their fruit, and the earth shall yield its increase. They shall be secure on their soil; and they shall know that I am the Lord, when I break the bars of their yoke, and save them from the hands of those who enslaved them. ²⁸ They shall no more be plunder for the nations, nor shall the animals of the land devour them; they shall live in safety, and no one shall make them afraid. ²⁹ I will provide for them a splendid vegetation so that they shall no more be consumed with hunger in the land, and no longer suffer the insults of the nations. ³⁰ They shall know that I, theLord their God, am with them, and that they, the house of Israel, are my people, says the Lord God. ³¹ You are my sheep, the sheep of my pasture^[a] and I am your God, says the Lord God.

Live Mock Trial - The verdict

The UK Government was put on trial at our live, mock trial.  The charge: failure to comply with European Regulations with regard to the treatment of Roma economic migrants seeking to establish themselves in the country.   The audience of c.40 was the jury.  The verdict:  UK Government found guilty.  See the full court line up below... And a great new song capturing the plight of the Roma...

"Wherever I am I am home

wherever I stand I don't stand alone

when I look inside myself

I'm aware of who I be

I belong to the world

the land of the free

we try to fit in society

but we don't want to play 

with their fraternity

I'm on a different radio frequency

and far more deeper than A-Z

my story is a mystery

and the guys who don't know me

Me som Romano shavo (I'm a Romani lad)

hai chi som korkorro (and I'm not alone)

hai me birav sim khere (I have a right to be at home)

av putiera pe tele[?]  

Hai dikh murro traiio (just look at my life)

We have travelled the world 

on the darkest night

looking for a friend

in the candlelight

we do our best to understand

and learn the language of the land

we try not to judge

the lion's in the sand

pointed fingers in my face

so I'm moving on to a different stage

I'm rejected by society 

'cos I'm living my life and I am free

Sostar si Romani bax ka savi [?] (why is Roma luck as it is?)

murri historia si parni (my story is white)

Me som Romano shavo 

hai chi som korkorro

hai me birav sim khere

av putiera pe tele[?]

Hai dikh murro traiio

Somebody help my wife and my baby

it's cold we have no place to stay

the drummers are drumming 

the footsteps are coming closer

and we're running away..."

http://sverigesradio.se/sida/avsnitt/218015?programid=2122&play=4615200&playtype=sändning

This link takes you to a RadioRomano Broadcast. Scroll to last 4 minutes to hear this great new song capturing the plight of the Roma people.  Above are the English-Romani words... If you can help with words email me:

email me

"IT COULD BE YOU!"

Without literacy and English language it's hard to imagine the Roma getting work in the UK.  Schools tell us the Roma children are often keen to learn, but remain years behind their peers in literacy levels. Teachers beg us to help in any way we can.

Luton Roma Church is seeking Volunteers!  Following three training sessions given by the ESOL experts and Luton Adult Learning, our Volunteers will be allocated to individual Roma family homes by our Volunteer Coordinator who has just been appointed.  email Martin

Through trial and error one of our team found that the best way to do the teaching is to make friends with a Roma family and they turn up every week at the same time and teach whoever is there in a fun, creative and engaging way.   Of course, levels vary hugely, but we heard so often from the Roma that they wanted help with this, that we had to act.  It's been especially the Roma mothers who persistently ask to be taught to speak English.

We need to discover ways to excite the Roma about all things English so that they begin to want to integrate more widely.  I listen to RadioRomano, broadcast by Swedish Radio live from Stockholm every day.  An inspirational way to help an minority ethnic group to integrate in their host country.  We need this in the UK!  BBC come to our aid! RadioRomano

Europe on Trial Event coming up!

Don't miss this if you are anywhere near Luton on Saturday 29 June!

A real live, mock trial!   In the dock: Europe!  Why? For the way Europe has treated its Roma.   Professional Legal Team leading the trial.  Live Roma witnesses.   Professor Acton also giving evidence.    Come to Beechhill Methodist Church Luton LU4 8BY.  Starts 11am. Finishes 1pm.   Unique opportunity to hear the evidence presented in a compelling way.  

Blessings & Trials

 Thanks to a grant from our Diocese we now have great new sound kit incorporating the original Roma sounds from E.Europe in a Korg keyboard.

The Roma pastors, evangelists and musicians continue to stream our way for Wednesday worship.

"I have learnt the secret of contentment in all circumstances!"  The joy overflows in inverse proportion to the degree of poverty.

Eleven of our Roma guys and a family came with me to Turvey Abbey for two days of bible teaching from Pastor Alex.  Two utterly different worlds meeting and trying to understand each other:  RC monks and Roma Pentecostals.  Vive la difference!

Bobby and Ana marrying at Christchurch as a fifth refusal for a National Insurance Number drops on the mat and their Luton born triplets approach their first birthday.   

"All I am I give to you and all I have I share with you!" "So me som, me dau le tuke, hai so si ma, me ashau tusa!"

We gear up for a night of prayer... see below.

Pass the word on! 

Aven Romale Aven! 

KHANGERI ROMANI LUTON

INVITATIE

NOAPTE DE VEGHE 

Christchurch, Bushmead, Luton LU2 7SF

29 Martie 

Parashtune / Vineri Seara

20.00  (-  4.00)

Birth pangs of new creation...

Luton Roma Church is on the cusp.   Since Alex and his team began coming to lead our weekly service  back in November 2012, we began to grow as a church.  Every week new Roma pastors come along with Alex, each bringing testimonies, teaching, and new songs.  Last week we had both Romanian and Romani being spoken.  They have all given up their former lives to preach and sing the Gospel wherever the wind of the Spirit takes them.  All they ask from us is the fuel for the journeys from Coventry, Nottingham and London, and some better sound equipment.  Not much, considering they give up a whole day for us, to say nothing of their charismatic gifts of communication.

It's feels like a baby is about to be born.  Mother is wailing.  Baby is longing to breath for himself.   Our little team is doing all we can to bring this about with God's help.  Much depends on us being able to fund Alex's team to do their stuff on an ongoing basis.  The vision is grand.  Watch this space.

Meanwhile, we are about to receive our first instalment from the Church of England's "CHURCH AND COMMUNITY FUND."  For the next three years funds are coming our way to realise the vision we had just before Alex and his brother's appeared on the scene.  Now we can fund our two minibuses which ferry the families in, and much else.

There is much work to be done before the Roma will be ready to lead and run their own church, but it is now just possible to glimpse that future.  Essential to that vision, is that the next generation of Roma children acquire the literacy and language skills they will need to be employable in the UK.  From January 2014 the law will change to make this possible for them. But do they have a will to integrate and break the only pattern they know?  The argument that the Roma need to put back something into the system is a powerful one, indeed a biblical one.  The call to be a blessing to all nations passes from one ethnic group to the next.  None of us live in isolation.  What the Roma uniquely embody is a transnational, international, nomadic people who make no demands to have a homeland - just the hope that every land might be a potential homeland for all.  This is surely the future that the book of Revelation holds open before us.  Do we have the imagination to see what God is doing through the Roma people?  

DVD launch for Christmas

See top right and click "The Story of Jesus" on YouTube.   You can listen in either English or Romani language.   It's taken a year to put these stories together as week by week I prepared a talk for our Wednesday evening meeting.  I chose Gospel events which address issues that I see the Roma here facing.  Using Mudrow and Maximov translations and then consulting the Roma themselves, we put together scripts in a dialect of Romani that most of the Roma here speak [Hunedoara region].  All twenty families will receive a DVD this Christmas.  Since they all have DVDs playing 24/7 this seemed a good medium to use to get over the Good News of Jesus.