Travellers and the Church
A Christian Response
How should the local Church respond to Travellers and Gypsies?
In some communities there are already well-established Traveller sites. Other communities have to cope with a sudden and unexpected influx of Travellers.
In either case, members of the settled community may react to Travellers with concern, anger and fear. The Church feels that it ought to ‘do something’, but is at a loss to know how best to act.
We have published a leaflet which suggests some useful responses from the local Christian community. The Church can make a real difference in a community where there is a ‘standoff’ between Travellers and settled residents.
The response that many local churches have found helpful is to adopt a three-part programme:
- Learn about Travellers and Gypsies. Fear is often bred of ignorance. Knowledge brings understanding.
- Make contact with the Travellers and Gypsies. They are generally receptive to an approach from local Church leaders.
- Listen to the sentiments of the settled community. Residents often have genuine and reasonable concerns.
Related Documents
The Board currently works to represent and support these areas of social concern:
- Asylum Seekers
- Church Urban Fund
- Churches Regional Forum
- Criminal Justice
- Ely Social Responsibility Forum External website
- Environmental matters
- Fairtrade
- Health
- International charity work
- Local Voluntary Agencies
- Newsletters
- People at Work
- Travellers and gypsies
- Working with other churches
- World Mission