Sanctuary in Scotland A guide for Scottish faith groups published in spring 2017. Includes facts and figures, definitions, current issues and ideas for practical action by faith communities in Scotland. Available for free download. www.sfar.org.uk Becoming Human Together Christian Aid Scotland and Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees jointly published Becoming Human Together in May 2018. […]
God With Us – Stories and Poems
A long breath is needed to change societies. Welcoming strangers is nothing you do by snapping your finger and pop, it happens: former strangers become friends and do not feel excluded anymore. It needs safe places and continuity. Alena Fendrychova runs one of these places in Prague: Alena Fendrychova: Welcoming strangers in Prague Ljudmila from […]
God With Us – Preparing a service on the theme of migration and refugees
The introduction to the Lutheran World Federation’s Nairobi Statement on Worship and Culture (1996): Worship is the heart and pulse of the Christian Church. In worship we celebrate together God’s gracious gifts of creation and salvation, and are strengthened to live in response to God’s grace. Worship always involves actions, not merely words. To consider […]
God With Us – School assembly, youth group and discussion topic suggestions
School Assemblies Invite responses from pupils to encourage empathy and self-awareness. You could use one, more or all of these sets of questions to suit to your group, depending on the time available. What would you do to welcome someone? (All schools) This activity might be particularly useful if the school is likely to receive […]
God With Us – Hymns, songs, music
Recommendations for singing and psalmody that could be used in a service connected to the theme of refugees, hospitality, sanctuary and welcome. Many of these could also be used for services of a multi-cultural or multi-national Christian congregation worshipping together. Psalms Psalm 46 God is our mighty fortress, always ready to help in times of […]
God With Us – Prayers and Liturgies
Opening Prayer Gracious and merciful God, we gather in one heart and mind to pray for all families and individuals who have left or fled their country, their land, their homes, seeking safer and better lives. We lift up to you their hopes and dreams, their fears and anxieties, and all their needs and necessities, […]
God With Us – Definitions
What we mean by… Christians uphold and respect the assertion that every human person is special, that life is precious, and that there is a common duty to uphold and promote human dignity. And so it is always with caution that we should apply labels or attempt to define people, especially when it is increasingly […]
God With Us – Bible Studies
In the following studies we have used the Contemporary English Version of the Bible unless otherwise specified. Information about contributors and links to external sources can be found… Migration within the Hebrew Scriptures Ann-Kathrin Knittel Migration was a common phenomenon in the first millennium BCE and is therefore reflected in its various aspects in […]
