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