The Refugee Family and friends spent the evening on the doorstep waiting for a lift to their next destination. Fortunately it was reasonably warm and it didn’t rain much but their lift never materialised as their next host ran out of time chasing around preparing for Christmas! Several hours later the family managed to wake the Inn Keeper who had fallen asleep in front of the TV watching a worthy program about racism and he grudgingly let them back in to stay the night.
Posted in Advent2018, Asylum, Refugees
One of the problems with continuously moving from one place to another is that you can easily lose track of events. Refugees and asylum seekers are often picked up on inconsistencies in their stories when they are interviewed but if you slept in a different place every night you would have difficulty keeping track!
And so it is with our refugee family, we now have evidence of where they were last weekend, possibly Saturday night. Let’s hope that the Home Office don’t catch up with them and ask any difficult questions. (I’m sure that they won’t forget staying with Edie and Maeve even if they don’t remember which night it was!)
Posted in Advent2018, Asylum, Refugees
One of the problems of being a refugee is that you never know if you are going to be able to put your head down in the same place two nights running. Our refugee family spent a night in Meanwood…
… and then found themselves in York
Sometimes a refugee or asylum seeker may be a bit more fortunate (!) and find a scheme like the WYDAN night shelter where they know that they might be able to have 7 nights in one place, or they might be accepted on Grace Hosting and find themselves welcomed into someone’s home for a period of time but they are still not in their own space and they still do not have any control over their future in the same way that we do.
As we approach Christmas and we remember how Jesus was a refugee from Herod let us remember those caught up as refugees and asylum seekers and let us try and find more ways to welcome and support them.
Posted in Advent2018, Asylum, Refugees
It is often the case with refugee families that they disappear off the radar for a time and then appear in unexpected places. Who would have thought that the refugee family would turn up in Chapel Allerton! But they have made it to Pippa and Jackie’s. The kings are still on the way, across earth and fire……
Posted in Advent2018, Refugees
This Sunday is the third Sunday in Advent and is also known as Gaudete Sunday or Rose Sunday – you can read more on Wikipedia or by using Google. Gaudete is the Latin word for Rejoice, and this Sunday is going to be full of rejoicing as we have an “All Hallows’ has got talent” event and a Sacred Wing concert in the evening. This Sunday’s meeting starts at 10:30am and everyone is welcome to come and rejoice and have fun with us.
Posted in Advent2018, Sunday
Today the knitted Nativity visited Shire Oak School in Headingley. In assembly they helped the children think about all those who are travelling at this time of year.
Dear God, as we travel through Advent towards Christmas, we think of everyone travelling
Posted in Advent2018, Refugees
Sacred wing are performing Eternal Light, a Requiem by Howard Goodall in the first half of their concert at All Hallows on Sunday 16th December at 7:30pm. After an interval when mince pies can be enjoyed the second half of the concert will give you the opportunity to sing some of our favourite Christmas Carols.
Posted in Advent2018, Music
They are off again! The Refugee Family are seeking shelter again this Advent around the homes of the All Hallows’ folk.
This Advent, may God bless us with
the humility of the shepherds,
the perseverance of the wise men,
the joy of the angels,
the faith of Mary and Joseph,
and the peace of the Christ child.
Posted in Advent2018, Refugees
