Over recent decades we’ve seen an increase in the movement of people across countries, some by choice with people pursuing new job opportunities or relationships, but other movement a result of people fleeing areas where resources are no longer sufficient to sustain life, or where persecution and war threaten lives and livelihoods.
The Bible repeatedly emphasises God’s heart for the vulnerable, and the expectation that we care for those in distress, and treat strangers and travellers with generous hospitality and kindness.
“Treat the foreigner the same as a native. Love them like one of your own. Remember that you were once foreigners in Egypt." - Leviticus 19:34 (MSG)
Many churches will be looking for ways to explore these issues theologically and in terms of policy; others will be hoping to take practical action, perhaps through supporting refugees. The following resources offer some guidance in these areas.
Read:
- Refugee and asylum seeker prayer postcards - if you would like to request free copies of our refugee and asylum seeker prayer postcard, please let us know the number of copies and an address to send them to.
- Read a theological reflection on welcome and sanctuary from the Diocese of Canterbury.
- Watch this conversation between IJM and Tearfund, about how people becoming climate refugees intersects with trafficking.
- Joint Public Issues Team's information on migration and asylum — JPIT are a collaborative effort by Baptist, Church of Scotland, Methodist, and URC churches, working together for peace and justice.
- Read The Truth About Asylum explainer from the Refugee Council.
- Read the easy guide to Navigating Tough Conversations on Refugee Rights from Safe Passage.
- Read the Toolkit on How to Talk about Home and Immigration from JRF.
- Church of England page on migration, including guidance for clergy on supporting asylum seekers and ways to take action.
Individual/small group resources:
- Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have produced a study resource, Sanctuary: The Hospitality of Host, Guest, & Stranger, for small groups or individuals.
- Free Guidelines booklet: God's Heart for Refugees - a week-long series of biblical reflections based on refugees, God's heart for them, and how we can enable them to belong to our communities. Order 1 copy, a pack of 10, or a pack of 25 copies.
- Get involved with Welcome Churches' I'm Not Being Funny, but... campaign.
- Migrant Voice - a migrant-led organisation established to develop the skills, capacity and confidence of members of migrant communities, including asylum seekers.
- Refugee Council - works nationally to support refugees and to advocate on questions that affect refugees.
- Refugee Support Group (Berkshire) - charity with solicitor and volunteer caseworkers offer confidential advice and support; language classes and a homework club; initiatives to promote integration.
- Asylum Welcome (Oxfordshire) - supports asylum seekers and refugees, including unaccompanied children. They host a Welcome Centre, and provide community information and a sending address for letters. They also provide advice on the immigration process, and host women’s and men’s groups.
- Slough Refugee Support - welcoming and practically supporting refugees and asylum seekers in Slough and beyond.
- Refugee Resource (Oxfordshire) - supports refugees, asylum seekers, and vulnerable migrants by providing psychological, social, and practical support. They also work with the Citizens Advice Bureau and immigration solicitors.
- City of Sanctuary - a network of cities, schools, libraries and councils that are places of support, dignity, and welcome to people seeking sanctuary.
- Centre on Migration, Policy and Society - Oxford University centre that conducts research, develops theory, and facilitates knowledge exchange in the field of migration.
- Volunteer with or donate to an organisation from the 'Engage' list.
- Church of England page on migration, including guidance for clergy on supporting asylum seekers and ways to take action.
- Guidance and suggestions for supporting asylum seekers placed in local hotels, including initial visiting, building relationships, and what support you might be able to give.
- Start a Community Sponsorship group to welcome and support and refugee family into your community, with training and support from Sponsor Refugees.
- Welcome and support Afghan refugees through the new Homes for Afghans scheme, based on Community Sponsorship. Get in touch to find out more.
- Support newly arrived Hong Kongers (NB: the UK government does not class Hong Kongers as 'asylum seekers' or 'refugees' if they are granted a BN(O) visa)
- Host a refugee or vulnerable migrant - get support to temporarily host someone as they look for independent accomodation through: Sanctuary Hosting, Refugees at Home, or Room for Refugees.
- Help new arrivals learn English - speaking English enables migrants to gain employment, navigate daily life, and integrate into communities.
Networks:
- Join the Churches Refugee Network, the Churches Together network for churches that want to pray and act in support of refugees, and a place to discuss questions relating to refugee policy.
- Christian Concern for One World (CCOW) - supports Thames Valley churches and community groups supporting refugees and asylum seekers. Join the CCOW asylum and refugee support network.
- Welcome Churches offers training and support to help your church to be a welcoming community for refugees - join the network and get resourced. You can also use their Find Your Welcome hub for key info to support new arrivals in the UK.
In 2021, as the crisis in Afghanistan began to unfold, the Revd Liz Jackson wrote a powerful message of practical ways to act, as well as reflecting why, as Christians, we should. The points raised here still hold today.
You might like to use the following prompts to aid your prayers:
Dear Lord,
You crossed from heaven to earth,
Laying aside your equality with God,
Humbling yourself because of your love for us.
Your parents fled with you from persecution,
Carrying you in their arms along dusty roads,
Uncertain what was ahead.
You wandered as a teacher,
Breaking boundaries in the people you talked with
And healed… and loved.
You are with us now
In our world in motion.
Amen.
Dear Lord,
We lift before you
All who are fleeing persecution and war
Knowing your love for them and your power to heal and comfort.
In this changing world,
Help all people to recognise your image in each person
And to remember each is precious in your sight.
Guide those in authority
To make decisions about migration
That honour each person’s humanity.
Help us to offer welcome to new neighbours,
Seeing you in the person we greet.
Break down the barriers of hostility
That keep us apart
And diminish our humanity.
We ask these things
Trusting in your infinite love.
Amen.
Our series of How to... films give practical tips from local people already working in these areas. In How to... Support refugees in your area, Alyson Peberdy talks you through a step-by-step guide for churches and small groups: