Over recent decades we’ve seen an extraordinary increase in the movement of people across countries. Some movement has been by choice - people pursuing new job opportunities or relationships. Some has not - people fleeing areas where resources are no longer sufficient to sustain life, or where persecution and war threaten lives and livelihoods.
What questions does it raise about identity, who we are and how we define ourselves? About our obligations to our fellow humans? About the relationship between the individual, faith, and the state?
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 guidance in these areas.
- Church of England page on migration, including guidance for clergy on supporting asylum seekers and ways to take action.
- 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.
- Read The Truth About Asylum explainer from the Refugee Council
- Churches Refugee Network — the Churches Together network for churches that want to pray and act in support of refugees and discuss questions relating to refugee policy.
- Churches Together in Britain and Ireland have produced a study resource, Sanctuary: The Hospitality of Host, Guest, & Stranger, for small groups or individuals.
- Christian Concern for One World (CCOW) — networks and supports Thames Valley churches and community groups supporting refugees and asylum seekers.
- God's Heart for Refugees Guidelines Sampler - 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.
- 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.
- 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 high quality research, develops theory and facilitates knowledge exchange in the field of migration'.
- Volunteer with, donate to, or join a network from the 'engage' list.
- Tips and suggestions for supporting asylum seekers placed in local hotels, including initial visiting, building relationships, and what support you might be able to give.
- Welcome Churches offers training and support to help your church to be a welcoming community for refugees. Join the network and get resourced. Get involved with Welcome Churches' I'm Not Being Funny, but... campaign, or use their Find Your Welcome hub for key info to support new arrivals in the UK.
- 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.
- Host a Ukrainian family or individual in your home through the Homes for Ukraine scheme (NB: the UK government does not class Ukrainians as 'asylum seekers' or 'refugees' if they are granted a Homes for Ukraine visa) or support families already in your community.
- Help new arrivals learn English - speaking English enables migrants to gain employment, navigate daily life, and integrate into communities. Sign up to volunteer just two hours of your time online each week as a teaching assistant with Language Learning Links. Sign up as a volunteer.
- Get in touch if you are interested in support and resources for running local, in-person lessons with people wanting to learn English as an additional language to help them navigate and integrate into their new community.
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 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.
If you would like to request copies of our refugee and asylum seeker prayer postcard, then please let us know (including number of postcards and address)
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: