Social Responsibility

We thank Revd. Mandy Ford for these useful resources from a seminar run by the Boaz trust for those working with asylum seekers and refugees .

Information Centre for Asylum and Refugees www.icar.org.uk 

Joint Council for the Welfare of Immigrants www.jcwi.org.uk  

Boaz Trust (mainly as an example of good practice) www.boaztrust.org,uk 

National Coalition of Anti-Deportation Campaigns www.ncadc.org.uk 

Bail for Immigration Detainees www.biduk.org 

There is a new organisation seeking to link Christians working with asylum seekers, (the website is very thin at the moment but with more members will fill out)  www.equipnetwork.org.uk

Debt update: New resources for campaigners
Jubilee Debt Campaign has produced a new report entitled Fuelling Injustice, looking at the impact of debt generated by Western governments and institutions on injustice, instability and poor governance across the Muslim world.
Another new resource, Getting into Debt, covers everything you ever wanted to know about Third World Debt but were too afraid to ask. Designed for students, it works for everyone.
Materials are also available for the new End Britain’s Dodgy Deals campaign, calling for an overhaul of UK export credits. 
Please contact Jonathan Stevenson for paper copies of the above, including campaign postcards if you would like them to distribute with your publications.

Stand Up and Make a Noise for the MDGs (Millennium Development Goals)

On 17-19 September 2010, millions of people will Stand Up and Take Action to demand that heads of state deliver breakthrough plans at the Millennium Development Goals Review Summit the following week.
People will join rallies, sign petitions, attend public meetings and participate in special events.
In particular on 18 September people will “Make a Noise for the MDGs” – resulting in a worldwide cacophony making us vocal and impossible to ignore.
Get involved in Stand Up and Make a Noise

On 20th October Christian Aid will be taking the vision of a world without poverty to the politicians. Join them in London as we talk to ministers and MPs about the impact of climate change on developing countries.
Prior to the afternoon’s campaign action there will be a supporter event at Methodist Central Hall where Jesse Jackson will address supporters, while you will also hear from Christian Aid’s director, Loretta Minghella. And you will also hear about the day-to-day reality of the fight against poverty and injustice from partner staff and community members from India, Zambia and Haiti.

Download the flier for the event HERE October 20th Flyer

The RCC Newsletter for August 23rd is now available to download.
It contains information about;
The Prince’s Countryside Fund – a new fund to improve the long-term sustainability of the British countryside.
The Rural Challenge – looking towards meeting rural housing need, building thriving economies, delivering good rural services, creating flourishing market towns and empowering local communities.
The Big Switch-Off – to highlight energy savings.
Leicester Shire Promotions is launching two major new awards to celebrate the best food in Leicester and Leicestershire, in conjunction with the Leicester and Leicestershire Food Fortnight from 18 September – 3 October 2010.

The RCC Newsletter may be downloaded here RCC Newsletter August 23

Christian Aid and the Diocesan World Development Group have produced a pack to help support your Harvest Celebrations. It encourages people to make links with local food production and local communities; it also contains some Good News stories from overseas.

Please download the materials here  Harvest 2010 

The Leicester Diocesan Forum for Ethnic Minority Anglicans work for racial justice in the Diocese of Leicester, Leicestershire and beyond. We aim to make a real difference in the Christian community and far beyond by raising awareness, encouraging effective working together. Every year on the second Sunday in September Racial Justice Sunday  is celebrated which is an opportunity for all Christians in Britain and Ireland to focus their worship, prayer and action on racial justice by:

• Celebrating human diversity.
• Rejoicing in how far God’s people have travelled together.
• ·        Recognising that there is much further to go both in the Church and in the world.  

Our aims are:

• To raise awareness and deepen understanding of the diversity of culture and experience both in society and in the church.
• To become more inclusive, outward-looking and welcoming within the Diocese, Leicestershire and beyond.
• To encourage all Christians and the people of Leicestershire to tackle injustice, not ignore it.

Would you please remembers racial justice issues and help us work for a church and society which reflects God’s creation. And please download the poster to advertise this event in your area  -  Poster.pdf

Racial Justice Sunday this year will take place on 12th September.  A Service has been arranged at Leicester Cathedral, St. Martin’s East Leicester to take place at 4 pm. Our preacher will be the Ven. Danny Kajumba, Archdeacon of Reigate, who is also the chair of the Committee for Minority Ethnic Anglican Concerns for Archbishop’ Council. We request your presence and participation in the service to support the racial justice and to encourage presence and involvement of people of ethnic minority in our diocese and social life. Please do advertise this in your churches and encourage people to attend.  We look forward to welcome you.

Rev. Javaid Iqbal

Chair

Leicester Diocesan Forum for Ethnic Minority Anglicans

The latest issues of Moving Stories from the Occupied Palestinian Territories and now available to download.

This includes reports on Community, Water and Freedom Rights, The report to the Metthodist Conference in Issue 127 and a report from Abu Abdullah living in the West Bank, and feedback from Operation Dove in Issue 128.

They may be downloaded HERE 
Moving Stories Issue 127
Moving Stories Issue 128

The RCC Newsletter for August 16th is now available to download. It includes:
* The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) would like to hear from groups in the East Midlands who wish to explore their heritage.
* Drivers are being offered up to £5,000 as an incentive to buy greener cars.
* Leicester and Leicestershire Food Fortnight 18 Sept – 3 Oct.
* Grants available from the Leche Trust.

Download the RCC Newsletter HERE RCC Newsletter August 16

The Rural Community Council Newsletter for August 9th is available here  August 9

Written by Ted Hutchin with comments from Audrey Hutchin

This was a day conference organised by the Diocesan team of Mike Harrison, Stuart Burns and Barry Hill looking at the whole question of rural mission.  With many parishes represented, four of us from Melton attended, our new curate, Rev Sally, Jill Milner, Audrey and myself.  The day was broken into two distinct sections, the morning being led by the Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Rylands, who is also the Chair of the Rural Theology Group, and the afternoon comprising a number of break-out sessions covering a number of issues related to rural ministry…

to read the full report click the link below

Report on the day conference on Rural Mission

10:10:10 – a global day of doing
This week marks three months until 10:10:10, our ‘global day of doing’ to cut carbon. On Sunday 10th October there’ll be thousands of practical activities all over the world, and we want you to be a big part of it. Visit our 10:10:10 page to find out more.

First things first – mark 10 October in your diary now. From major magazines and hit TV shows to your local church (and maybe even the prime minister), everyone will be taking practical steps to cut their carbon.

We’re working with our friends at 350.org to make this a truly global event. Last year they pulled off what CNN called the “most widespread day of political action in the planet’s history” with 5,200 events in 181 countries. And with 1,500 events already registered, 10:10:10 will be even bigger.

What’s your plan for 10:10:10?
Is your birthday on or around 10:10:10? You could hold a low-carbon birthday bash with veggie food, local beer and guests arriving by bike.

Maybe you could finally insulate your house, replace that inefficient boiler or use the day to make a lasting change to the way your workplace uses energy. Thinking bigger? Why not team up with others to push for a 10% commitment in your local town or a new cycle lane.

You can mark your event on the 350.org map or join an event that’s already happening. Click here to get involved. You can find tips and inspiration for the day on our website, with much more to come in the next few months.
 
Tell leaders: ‘Put solar on it!’
In the meantime, please add your name to the list of people pushing world leaders to put solar panels on their rooftops and enact policies to help their citizens do the same. One has already agreed and another looks very likely. Just imagine how cool it would be to get solar panels back on the White House!the website, but feel free to email us on dayofdoing@1010global.org if you have any questions.

On 10:10:10 itself, we want to see your pictures, mails and video, which we’ll be streaming live from the 10:10 newsroom and hopefully on some major media platforms.

Communities Together Grants
Up to £500 is available to community, voluntary or faith groups across Leicestershire through the Communities Together grants which aim to help
support projects which:
play an active role in getting  groups of  individuals together to increase understanding .
promote inter-cultural education and relationship building.
introduce  new audiences and community groups to each other.
More details are available in the RCC Newsletter HERE RCC Newsletter July 12
Your School’s chance to take part in the Big Switch Off 2010
The Big Switch Off Campaign will be taking place between 11th – 17th October this year.
Primary school children across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are being invited to design their own caped crusaders to promote this year’s Big Switch Off campaign.
Find out more in the RCC Newsletter HERE RCC Newsletter July 12
And Finally, news that the Diocese has received support for a churches tourism pilot project Treasures Unlocked.
Leicestershire’s churches are just a ‘mouse click’ away see www.treasuresunlocked.co.uk

On Saturday 130 church leaders and key lay gathered for a diocesan day conference on rural mission. Recordings of the welcome from Bishop Christopher & keynote talks by the Bishop of Shrewsbury, Mark Rylands, plus a review of the day and photos, can be downloaded from http://sbg.dioceseofleicester.com/?p=325

For the 5th year running the Voluntary Sector Forum in Leicester has carried out a survey on destitution in the city.
It demonstrates that there is still a significant number of destitute refugees and asylum seekers in Leicester, many of whom have been dealing with destitution for five years or more. In fact, the number appears to be rising again and destitution always brings a large amount of human suffering. We remain very concerned about:
• the increasing percentage of clients whose health and/or mental health is
deteriorating
• the number of clients with dependent children who have to access support from voluntary sector organisations.
The evidence still suggests that destitution is not a significant ‘push’ factor in relation to voluntary return.
Denying people the opportunity to support themselves by working continues to be a waste.
Being locked into destitution is a terrible waste of people’s lives and potential.
The Report is now available to download HERE Destitution in Leicester_2010 final report (note this is a large file)
Print copies are available to collect from Refugee Action.

A weekend of celebration of the role of the Arts based around the Church of St Hugh, Sturdee Road, Eyres Monsell.  There will be displays of art works by local children, and adults as well as the wider role of the visual arts in religion… including  flower displays, vestments etc.

For more details please download the information HERE
ArtsFest Arts and Crafts
Arts Festival – Sumary of Events
Organ Concert with Simon Lumby

 An exciting new project designed by Transition Leicester to help us reduce our carbon footprints is being launched.  It gives practical information and also addresses some of the deeper issues around change and our reaction to peak oil and climate change.
The first groups will start meeting in September 2010  

For more information please download the leaflet HERE  Transition Leicester July 2010

English Heritage reveals condition of places of worship in Leicestershire.

The survey, which is part of English Heritage’s Heritage at Risk initiative, was carried out to assess the state of repair of places of worship.
The survey found that two-thirds of congregations questioned said that funding major repairs is a constant worry.
More information in the RCC Newsletter for July 5 online HERE  RCC Newsletter July 5

The Office for Civil Society (OCS) has announced it will not be renewing the £130 million Grassroots Grants programme. Cabinet Secretary Francis Maude has unveiled plans to replace the Labour initiative set up to support small charities with a Communities First Fund, further details in December.
More in the RCC Newsletter for July 5 online HERE RCC Newsletter July 5

Micah Challenge has launched its 2010 campaign What’s Your Promise?
They want to give you the chance to be involved in something that could really change our world… And all through the power of a promise! 
They have launched their 2010 campaign What’s Your Promise?

For more details download the flyer HERE Micah Challenge

or go to their website at www.whatsyourpromise.org.uk

This is the last chance to book places on this special diocesan day conference on rural mission with the Bishop of Shrewsbury, Bishop Christopher and other experts in their areas (this Saturday 10th July, Broughton Astley, 9:30am-4pm). Just a few tickets left, all welcome, click here to read more & book your place: http://sbg.dioceseofleicester.com/?p=279