Day Forty - Welcome Here

As I write this reflection, one story has dominated the news. It is the drowning of twenty-seven migrants in the English Channel; twenty-seven desperate people, all risking freezing water in the hope of a better, a more secure and a more peaceful life here in Britain. The story has rightly shocked and saddened people everywhere. I just pray that by the time you read this, this tragedy will not have been forgotten as “yesterday’s news”, and that there will not have been more such fatalities.

Stories of migrants and the dispossessed are, of course, as old as human history, and the Bible is no stranger to migration tales. Within the churches of the Congregational Federation, we have helped those working with migrants. A few years ago, we supported Christian Aid partner One Respe, working with Haitians migrating to the Dominican Republic. Haiti was already the poorest country in the western hemisphere long before the terrible earthquake of 2010, and for years Haitians have left their homes in search of a better future. What they often encounter is prejudice, marginalisation and problems accessing basic services such as health and education. One Respe (which is Haitian Creole for “Honour & Respect”) challenges this, supporting migrant communities by providing schools, training and access to health care, and giving migrants a voice.

Through our appeal, we raised money and told some of the stories of these people. But this was all something happening far away that didn’t touch our lives directly. The migrant crisis most cruelly seen in recent days in the English Channel, and more widely in the influx to the UK of migrants from Syria and Afghanistan, is much closer to home.

A recurring theme in all these migration stories is of a search for peace. It is a search for a freedom from fear; a fear of persecution and death, a fear of having no future, a fear of losing hope. And against this background of fear, I have been heartened to hear of communities coming together to support and welcome the migrants in our midst. In a village close to where I live, a hotel has been taken over this summer by Afghan asylum seekers. The villagers have rallied to provide both practical and emotional support, laying on a welcoming event, providing clothing and even setting up a snooker club for the men! And in a nearby town, a local group of volunteers has come together to form an organisation with the sole purpose of supporting migrants, helping them settle into our communities.

Their name sums up perfectly their values and purpose. They are simply called “Welcome Here”.

Almighty and merciful God,

whose Son became a refugee and had no place to call his own;

look with mercy on those who today are fleeing from danger,

homeless and hungry.

Bless those who work to bring them relief;

inspire generosity and compassion in all our hearts;

and guide the nations of the world towards that day when all will rejoice in your Kingdom of justice and of peace;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

(A prayer for refugees from the Church of England)

Philip Clarke