In the latest blog in our series on creating a welcoming environment, Bethan writes about her experience of spending a week in Calais with a group from St Ethelburga’s Centre for Peace and Reconciliation, working with the organisations Help Refugees and Refugee Community Kitchen. In recent weeks, …
Rain no barrier to integration of New Scots
In the latest blog about creating a welcoming environment, Sabine Chalmers of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees writes about the Edinburgh Weekend Club, a regular social integration event for refugees. It was a horrible morning – cold and pouring with rain – and my mind was spinning. We …
Prayers ahead of the Brexit vote
This prayer was written by Rev. Martin Johnstone, Secretary to the Church and Society Council of the Church of Scotland. God,who in Jesus,broke down all barriers,between people of different racesrich and poor,male and female,Jew and Gentile,between heaven and earth,we worship …
2 Minute Briefing: Two-Child Rule
11th January 2019 Churches, faith groups and charities are agreed that the two child rule is a terrible policy. It is wrong in principle and its many bad consequences will include pushing around 200,000 children into poverty. Today’s announcement is welcome because, in the short term, 15,000 …
Welcoming all: a view from Malta
Having spent years talking about and visiting foodbanks, I didn’t imagine that the first time I would work in one it would be in Valletta, the capital city of Malta. Malta is a popular holiday destination for many British people. But its place in the middle of the Mediterranean means that it has …
An Epiphany Prayer
Epiphany God, As we reflect today on how a major incident involving migrants brings Christmas to an abrupt end, we pray for your world. God whose light draws travellers, be with all who journey seeking something better whether by camel, carload or dinghy. God of the truth-seekers, save …
Jesus the migrant: a reflection for the Feast of the Holy Innocents
Now after they had left, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you; for Herod is about to search for the child, to destroy him.” Then Joseph got up, took the child and his mother by …
What would be in a Welcome Manifesto from your church?
Today, 18 December, is the UN International Migrants Day. If you are not a migrant but part of a community or society that is receiving migrants, it is a day to think about offering a hand of welcome and friendship. If you are a migrant yourself, it is a day to think about your experiences of …
From hostility to hospitality
Over the last six months, JPIT has been campaigning for an end to the ‘hostile environment’ immigration policies which are causing destitution, discrimination and distrust in our society. But how can our churches play a part in creating a more welcoming environment for migrants? We begin a …
European church leaders unite for refugees and migrants
European church leaders have affirmed the values of dignity, respect and compassion for refugees and migrants. On 4 December, a Christmas statement, signed by more than thirty church leaders from Europe and beyond, was jointly issued by the Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME) and the …