Refugees in Thornbury

A couple of weeks ago, I had the privilege of being able to welcome 60 or so Syrian refugees to Thornbury. It was a visit that had been organized between myself and ‘Bridges for Communities’ – a Bristol-based charity that is taking the lead on supporting the Syrian families who have been rehoused in Bristol.

The families were with us for the afternoon, and during that time I welcomed them in the Council Chamber, that is part of the Town Hall, and gave a brief introduction to the town. We then went down to St Mary’s church where they had a short guided tour, before walking across to the park and enjoying the outdoor space and all the play equipment there. The afternoon finished at the Baptist church where there were copious amounts of tea, coffee, sandwiches and cake for consumption by all.

There were so many golden moments within it all, but a few that stand out include:

-       Walking with one of the mothers from the church to the park along a route that bordered open fields, and at one point she stopped and just gazed at the view and quietly said ‘it is so green, so green, I never see so much green’

-       Being able to provide the families with a space where they could all come together and enjoy being in the same place rather than dispersed across Bristol, and seeing the adults relax and chat whilst the children were able to play outside in a safe place

-       Being invited by one couple to go to their home for dinner – an indication that the visit was definitely a success

It really was a wonderful time, and there was a beautiful mix of Syrian families and local families, councilors and church members who came along to provide a welcome, to chat, and to show that it doesn’t matter if we don’t all speak the same language – we can still be friends together.

These families, and so many like them, have been through so much. The terror of war that led to them having to flee their homeland; the fear of not knowing where to go; the sadness of having to leave all their belongings behind, never knowing if they will be able to return; the mass of emotions that goes with all of that, as well as having to start again in a new place, where they don’t speak the language, where the culture is so different, and where every aspect of daily living needs to be relearned in some way or another.

What a privilege to be able to input even in a very tiny way, to give an afternoon of fun, laughter, welcome, hospitality and friendship. I pray that it won’t be their only visit to Thornbury.

Christian Aid Week, which starts this weekend, is 60 years old this year; and it is focusing on the plight of refugees. When Christian Aid first started, at the end of the Second World War, it was in response to the plight of refugees across Europe – all these years on the issue is still there, even if the countries that people are fleeing from have changed.

This prayer, which was from the first Christian Aid Week resources in 1958, still holds strong – may it be an inspiration to us, to show our support to those who are tirelessly supporting those in need:

O Holy Spirit of love,

Quicken our imaginations

That we may feel more deeply

For the needs of others

As we put ourselves in their place.

Give us hearts of self-forgetting compassion

Which will move us to give

From that which you have given us,

And to be good neighbours to those both near and far,

For the sake of Him who taught us

That it is more blessed to give than receive,

Even Jesus our Lord

Amen

O Christ our Lord

who came in homelessness,

that you might find a home in us

and that everyone would find a home in you,

We bring before you at this time

all who are homeless,

in exile or in suffering

Grant them the sense of being held fast in you

and enable all who love you

to strive together

for a world which shall be closer to your Kingdom

In which all may live together as a family

Each caring for all

and all caring for each

For the sake of peace

Amen

Reflecting on a year as Mayor of Thornbury

120 ‘mayoral events’ and 142 meetings – including 52 council meetings, and 90 others that are related to my role as mayor, and therefore wouldn’t have been in my diary if I didn’t have this wonderful role. And considering that I’ve also been out of Thornbury on work-related travel for 9 weeks and on holiday for 1 week, that means a total of 262 engagements spread over 295 days – what an absolute honour and privilege!

I’ve met a wonderful range of people – from young to old, able-bodied, those living with additional needs and disabilities of various kinds; people with lots of letters after their names who move in circles I didn’t even know existed, and people who fled conflict in their home country and have come to seek refuge here in the UK. And then there are all the amazing volunteers who give of their time to support such a range of organisations and needs in society – wow, where to even start: I feel humbled by it all.

My aim when I took on the role of Mayor of Thornbury was to find ways to serve the community, and to raise the profile of all the good work that is going on out there in the town – whether it be individuals or organisations, volunteers or employers and employees. I have always said to people to ‘use and abuse my role as mayor’ to draw attention to what they are doing, the flag they are waving, the cause they are promoting (so long as those are positive and worthy flags and causes that I am happy to be associated with of course).

And hopefully that is what people will feel that I have done.

My other ‘mantra’ that always sits with me is, to slightly adapt the words of HRH Queen Elizabeth II, ‘to be a servant mayor, and show the King I serve’. I couldn’t do this role on my own – I can only do it with God at my side, ahead of me, behind me, carrying me, nudging me on. Sometimes He comes in the shape of the other council staff and councilors who have given unerring support. Sometimes He comes in the guise of the people I meet and their welcomes and inspiring stories. But always He is there within, and He is there through Tim, Rozzie and Natalie, and all my wonderful band of praying supporters who cheer me on around the world, and to whom I am eternally grateful

This past week has, for me, encapsulated all that being mayor is about.

It started with my bit of God-space in a friend’s summerhouse – the rhythm that I have tried to hang on to despite the crazy schedule as it just helps keep the perspective and priorities right.

Then I opened a revamped Kwik-Fit, and ended up chatting with them about how they might be able to run some sessions for new young drivers. Then a ‘One Public Estate’ meeting (council jargon), before going to Goucester Cathedral in the evening for a St Georges Service with all its English tradition, pomp and circumstance.

Tuesday was some council meetings, and then on Wednesday there was a breakfast meeting with a gathering of folks who provide services for teenagers and their families who are going through more troubled times – unfortunately I couldn’t stay for long, but the insights I got from the organisations were humbling and inspiring. A meeting with the Mayor of Bristol followed – on the basis that ‘we are both mayors, both Christians, so let’s see what God lays on our hearts’ (and watch this space for the plans that were hatched!).

And then the Youth Showcase and presentation of Mayor’s Youth Awards in the evening – such a fabulous turnout for an event that has never happened before in Thornbury. Youth award nominees, their families and friends, youth-based organisations showcasing what they offer, various other random young people and interested folks: all in all a real celebration of the youth of Thornbury, and the place really buzzed – I got quite emotional at one point, it was such a lovely reflection of what Thornbury is and means to so many.

Thursday was quiet, and then Friday started with a prayer breakfast with folks from across South Glos – councilors, council staff, and a few others – a lovely time to come together and pray for the area. No party politics, no geographical boundaries, just being together, lifting up our concerns for this area to God. So glad I started that initiative in this area.

Friday finished with a visit to the local squash club, and a visit to the local Beavers to answer their various questions about being the mayor.

And then Saturday, and the visit to Thornbury by the Syrian refugee families from Bristol. What an absolute delight that was: to welcome them to the town, and then, along with various other town councilors and church folks, to show them round the town hall and council chambers, down to St Mary’s church and Thornbury Castle, up to the Mundy Playing Fields, and finishing at Thornbury Baptist church for afternoon tea.

Such a privilege: to be able to facilitate an opportunity for the Syrian families to come together, outside of Bristol where they now live but dispersed across the city, to enjoy the ruralness of Thornbury, to have time to chat together and with local folks, to offer hospitality in the form of a huge amount of cakes and sandwiches, and to provide safe space for the children to play whilst the parents chat. After all that these families have been through in the past few years of Syrian horror – what an honour to be able to play a tiny part in rebuilding lives.

As I said, the range of events, meetings and opportunities this week has been a small version of the whole year really – a total and utter, mind-blowing privilege: how blessed I feel that God asked me to do this.

There is so much more I could add, but I won’t for now. Maybe I’ll try and make more time to blog during the coming year, and do a bit more stopping and reflecting – but given all the plans lined up, I’m not promising anything.

For now, I just want to end with a massive thank you – to friends, to family, to colleagues, to those I have visited, to those I have met with, to those who have inspired me, to those who have encouraged me, but most of all to my Lord and King without whom I would be incapable of doing any of the above. May the glory be His, now and always!

PS if I can work out how, I'll do a photo blog of the year sometime soon - so pop back in a few days, or watch out for the note about it on FB.