11th Feb’24 was the Racial Justice Sunday. It was an opportunity for churches to give thanks for the gifts and beauty of human diversity, and to commit to end racism and acts of discrimination.
Churches Together in Britain & Ireland produced resources, which can be found at https://ctbi.org.uk/racial-justice-sunday-2024/ and can be used throughout the year. These resources explore a crucial issue of our contemporary times – Border Crossing.
According to the latest figures from the United Nations, ‘At least 108.4 million people around the world have been forced to flee their homes. Among them are nearly 35.3 million refugees, around 41 percent of whom are under the age of 18.’
Europe is one of the areas to which people have been fleeing for safety. Over a thousand refugees and asylum seekers were placed in Luton about 4 years ago. It is commendable that despite political and media hostility, ordinary people, and faith communities in Luton stepped up to support people seeking sanctuary.
The Revd Canon David Kesterton, Vicar at Luton Parish of All Saints and Church of England Area Dean of Luton said, “We have been supporting refugees and asylum seekers at All Saints for 3 ½ years.”
“We are at the frontline offering clothing, legal advice, guidance, and much-needed moral, social and spiritual support. And we do this with respect and dignity. It is about humanising those who have been traumatised.”
Volunteer Sandra Miller said, “It takes time to build trusting relationships so that people do not feel being judged. At our twice-a-week drop-in sessions, we offer to over 50 people and children, a hot drink, biscuits/cake, and the chance to socialise or play board games. We also provide them assistance in registering with a doctor, or dentist or completing paperwork for a school place, etc.”
Revd Kesterton is concerned that the government is speeding up the process. Many will get leave to remain, but this means they will become homeless as they will no longer be eligible to stay in the Hotels. He is therefore requesting all faith leaders and communities to help find households with spare bedrooms, that can accommodate people for some time.
He said, “We pray that all refugees and asylum seekers find a pathway to a new settled life.”
From L to R: C of E Reader & Volunteer Sandra Miller, Vicar & Luton Area Dean Revd Canon David Kesterton, and the Asst. Curate Revd Peter Farquhar at All Saints Refugees & Asylum Seekers Drop-in last week