Local United Reformed Churches are responding to a national call to become welcoming spaces for refugees and people seeking asylum.
Founded in Derby, Welcome Churches has grown into a network of more than 1,420 churches offering friendship and practical support. Its vision is that every refugee in the UK should be welcomed by a local Church, preferably within just a short walk of their accommodation.
Diss URC in Norfolk is among those taking part.
“We joined the Welcome Churches network when several Ukrainian refugees began attending Diss,” said Gabrielle Pagan, an elder at the church.
“We hosted a support group and, as part of Churches Together, collected funds for essential items. One highlight was discovering that two of the Ukrainian women were opera singers from Odesa. We found them a professional pianist, and they performed concerts at the church and across the district, which were very popular.”
Churches and community partners worked together to offer support, including a weekly welcome café, English classes and sewing groups. The congregation has also supported families placed in local hotels after arriving in the UK with few possessions.
“It’s been an interesting time,” Gabrielle added. “We’ve learnt a lot about the challenges people face when settling in a new country. It’s important to build strong local partnerships, use people’s gifts, and work out what you can offer.”
In Greater Manchester, churches led by the Revd Dr Kate Gray have also signed up to the network.
“We want the church to be in active and public solidarity with people who are marginalised,” she said. “That is what the Gospel means to us in this moment. We can’t remain silent when our brothers and sisters are the target of hostility.”
Kate said the network has provided encouragement and practical support, helping churches act together and “bear witness to pain, faith and solidarity”.
Several congregations are already seeing the benefits:
- St Paul’s with St John’s, Abbey Hey works with Rainbow Haven, supporting displaced people.
- Oasis Church and Community Hub, Salford runs weekly English sessions, with growing attendance, particularly among people from Hong Kong.
- Wilbraham St Ninian’s URC, Chorlton-cum-Hardy hosts welcome and wellbeing sessions, providing meals, travel support and a Rainbow People’s Choir.
The URC Public Issues team is encouraging more congregations to join the Welcome Churches network and explore how they can offer hospitality, support and solidarity in their local communities.
Roo Stewart, URC Head of Public Issues, said: “It is a shining example of the love of God that churches are ensuring that their spaces are welcoming and supportive not only of local people, who themselves are often experiencing impossible challenges because of the high cost of living, but also those new to the area who are seeking safety in the UK.
“In a time when some are trying to foment division and mistrust within our society, congregations connected with Welcome Church are demonstrating that love for God and love for neighbour, from whatever background, are inextricably linked and vital to our Christian faith and practice.”
James Lynch, CEO of Welcome Churches said, “Welcome Churches exists to help churches welcome refugees and to offer connection, integration, and a sense of belonging. It’s been our privilege to support over 1,400 churches in their journey of welcoming, and we are delighted that several URC churches are among them. We’d love to connect with many more, and to offer our support, training, and resources to more churches.
“Sharing about their experience of being part of the Welcome Network, a church in Sheffield said ‘Working with Welcome Churches is helping to turn our church inside out, helping us to reach out to people from all walks of life. We want to see more and more asylum seekers and refugees becoming part of the church, finding community, family and belonging.’
“Please consider contacting Welcome Churches to join the network. We would love to partner with you as you welcome the stranger among you, as Leviticus 19:34, Matthew 25:35, and Hebrews 13:2 encourages, and help provide a loving Christian community for those seeking sanctuary in your local community.”
Learn more about Welcome Churches.
Learn more about URC grants.