Gypsies, Travellers and Roma
These people groups, sadly, often experience unjust prejudice against them and they suffer hardship in seeking work and providing for their families.
Some good work is going on in our diocese among the Roma people living in Luton – visit the Luton Roma Trust website – click image.
What Can We Do?
Within traveller communities there is often a strong sense of Christian faith. However, alongside difficulties with access to health and education, many face struggles in accessing services at their local churches, particularly funerals, weddings and baptisms. There is significant potential to increase our welcome, whether through taking a pro-active approach to getting to know people in these communities or simply understanding more about some of the distinctive needs they have.
If you would like to contact someone with any questions you have about ministry to travellers, you are welcome to email either Revd Kate Carter or Revd Peter Turnbull
Both Kate (a curate in Hoddesdon) and Peter (a vicar in Chellington team ministry) are linked with the Margaret Clitherow Trust, a national chaplaincy reaching out to the traveller community. They are happy to hear from you,
“We may not know all the answers (in fact we certainly don’t!) but we can help point you in the right direction if we don’t have the information you are looking for!”
There is also excellent information to be found on:
Friends, Families and Travellers
For further interest, read the Report to General Synod on Roma. Gypsy and Traveller Communities, 2019
Follow Churches Network for Gypsies, Travellers and Roma twitter account, challenging prejudices and working for harmony, understanding and co-operation between communities.
