'A simple act' at St John's for Refugee Week 20 – 26 June 2011

Different pasts, shared future

Refugee Week is a unique opportunity to discover and celebrate the contributions refugees bring to the UK. Here at Windlesham we do not meet many refugees or get to know their stories. "Out of sight does not mean refugees need to be out of  mind",  Phyl Woods reminded the gathering over coffee after the Sunday family service. Awareness raising is the first step if we are to be distinctive in our actions.  "Mummy, what does the word  'refugee' mean?",  a curious 7 year old boy enquired.

Whilst the adults watched on,  children marked their understanding and awareness by the symbolic action of making a colourful umbrella - which signifies shelter and represents our proud tradition of giving safety to those who fear for their lives.

This tradition has to be nurtured by all of us...mainly at the the basic level of challenging un-helpful stereotyping and ignorance that prevails in society today.

Addressing the problems of refugees in this country is a group of Christians who work together as Guildford Refugee Action Group (GRAG), comprising representatives of the churches, business, police, the legal profession, immigration practitioners, visitors to detainees, and academia.

The group is very clear in their view that every asylum seeker has a right, under International law, to be in Great Britain, while their claim is being determined.  In protecting the rights of those individuals, they offer the following services;

•    Help churches become informed and concerned
•    Provide speakers and preachers
•    Assist individual refugees
•    Find sureties for refugees applying for bail
•    Support the Gatwick Detainees Welfare Group
•    Arrange conferences and seminars
•    Campaign for better treatment of refugees
•    Network with refugee groups across the country
•    Monitor legal and other developments in the UK and EU

Read more on why refugees need our help and how volunteers can help.

For ideas for 'Simple acts'
Information on Refugee Week