Welcoming the Refugee
There are 34 Refugee Welcome Zones in Australia.
These are city or regional councils which have signed up with the Refugee Council of Australia.
Adelaide City Council acknowledges the difficult journey men,
women and children have… In South Australia there is another city council and a country one.
The are community-based groups which church members can support.
And we welcome those from troubled countries who are already Anglicans.
It is the stranger who is problematic by the plain fact that we do not know them.
It is faith and love which casts out the fear of strangeness.
It is seeing the face of Jesus in the stranger which opens the path to a relationship.
And we can overcome our doubts and fears even before an encounter.
May we be led to understanding and generous love.
I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink,
I was a stranger and you welcomed me, And the king will answer them,
‘Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least
of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.’
Matthew 25: 35, 40
We pray for St Albans in the UK this week.
The city has a refugee programme supporting refugees in Greece and Uganda.
The Mothers’ Union Community and Justice programmes include Asylum Seekers and Refugees.
They aim to Live God’s Love with Generosity, Joy, Imagination and Courage.