Responding to the mass movement of people through Europe

Today in church we considered some of the ways we might respond to the current situation that is filling news broadcasts and publications; the mass movement of refugees, asylum seekers and economic migrants through Europe, the largest movement of people on this continent since World War 2.

Here I reproduce a handout we gave to church, and include links to agencies you might consider supporting, and also a video from Krish Kandiah of Home for Good.

You'll see that I add a little detail to his 5 suggestions then add a sixth too.

If you would like to add further ideas in the comments section, I'd be pleased to read them, thanks.

Refugee crisis : an urgent call to action from Home for Good on Vimeo.

Responding to the mass movement of refugees,
asylum seekers and migrant people
1.       Pray
a.       For the protection of families and individuals taking desperate measures to flee war and persecution
b.      For safety for those who are economic migrants, seeking to share the better life we in North and Western Europe take for granted
c.       For our government, that they would act justly, generously, wisely
d.      For peace and reconciliation in the regions of the world where war and poverty have caused mass movements of people.
2.       Connect people and property
a.       Some have rental properties that could be made available to house a refugee family
b.      See citizens uk and their work linking councils and landlords
c.       Pray and consider whether you can welcome an individual or family in your home
3.       Foster an unaccompanied minor fleeing persecution
a.       See “Home for Good”
b.      Let Jonathan or Kenton know if you are considering this
4.       Welcome
a.       Into our homes, streets and church activities
b.      Especially in our Dunstall Rd and City Centre sites
c.       Develop “Places of Welcome”
5.       Give
a.       Open Doors are helping Syrian Christians 
b.      World Vision Syrian appeal on homepage of their website
c.       Christian Aid have a special Syrian appeal too.
6.       Write
a.       To your MP encouraging them to make sure that the Government welcomes refugees, and receives a fair proportion of those seeking safety in Europe.
b.      Email them too.

c.       Sign online petitions calling for a better response, and those calling for an emergency debate in parliament.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

World Book Night, One million Book Giveaway

Image
So, it's the first World Book Night tonight, and the organisation aims to give away one million books. There are 25 titles being given away, and folks wanted to be part of the process were invited to make contact a few months ago, indicating which book they'd like to give away and why. I applied, and asked to distribute the book "One Day" by David Nicholls. I'd picked up a copy whilst on holiday a couple of months ago, a friend had suggested it, and said there would be a particular reason I'd like it. It's a book that is set on July 15th, St Swithin's Day, my birthday, and follows the relationship of two very different kind of people. It wasn't the usual kind of book I'd read, but I found it terrifically moving, very funny, and quite insightful about human relationships, life, and slowly growing older. Here's the blurb from the World Book Night site: I can imagine you at forty,’ she said, a hint of malice in her voice. ‘I can pictur
Read more

An outpouring on outpourings

I guess many of us will have been looking with a mix of interest, curiosity, hope, bewilderment and maybe amusement at the events taking place in a conference centre in Lakeland, Florida, USA. For a few of weeks now, nightly “Revival” meetings have been taking place there, led by Todd Bentley. A google or youtube search on “Florida Outpouring” will give you a flavour of what's been happening. There are now reports of a “Dudley Outpouring” as well as others around the globe as leaders who have seen what’s been happening (normally on godtv.com or the God Channel on satellite) go to Florida and bring back what they have “caught”, and impart it to the folks at home. So, what to make of this? I’ve been asked for my reflections by a few folks, possibly because when the Toronto Blessing movement was at its height in the UK I was involved with a ministry (that I deeply appreciate and love) that sought to introduce people to what God might have been doing in that time. As I reflect on those
Read more

Communion service at Baptist Assembly

This last weekend saw approx 1300 baptists joining together in a very sunny Blackpool for the annual Baptist Assembly; a time for us to gather in prayer, celebration and reflection about the life of our Baptist Union of Great Britain , and the work of BMS World Mission. For the last few years I've had the privilege of being one of those who gets to shape some of the larger sessions, we have the somewhat utilitarian title of "session Design Group". It has been a thrilling experience seeing words we've crafted and laboured over be used in ways that have brought joy, peace, hope, laughter, as well as creating space for people to encounter God or access his word afresh. This year I had the task of shaping a communion service that would be intergenerational, that is to say would speak in some way to people of every age. For various reasons there were some constraints (getting more than a thousand people moving around in a fairly full space can be tough, and we needed t
Read more