Syrian Refugee Friendships
Refugee Friendships
With the Revd David Butterworth, Lead Chaplain at the NEC Group and Mission in the Economy Officer of the Birmingham Methodist District
Rev David Butterworth talks about the impact of Community Sponsorship in Birmingham with charity ‘RESET’, which leads the Community Sponsorship movement throughout the UK
In Lozells Church, Birmingham, new and old refugees meet and compare experiences. Their story was made into a programme for Radio 4.
Download the article about it now.
Click the image to go to the BBC Radio programme (28 mins).
Produced by George Luke - A Cast Iron Radio production for BBC Radio 4
When Birmingham said ‘yes’ to welcoming 500 refugees
Left to right: Birmingham District Methodist Minister Rev David Butterworth, Birmingham City Council Leader John Clancy (Labour) and Councillor Bobby Alden (Conservative), photo by Eddy Aigbe from Lozells Methodist Church.
“Want to get things changed to be better for everyone? Then do it collaboratively and in true partnership”, says the Revd David Butterworth, Interfaith Chaplain at the NEC Group.
In One Mission Matters, he continues: “Often churches point fingers and talk a lot, blaming others for not taking action. Members of the tiny St Andrew’s Methodist Church in the Birmingham District sought to change the ethos surrounding them… Some while ago, when cities were not yet accepting Syrian refugees, the members of St Andrew’s wrote to the City Council leadership and developed meetings with local councillors and MPs. They forged relationships with the local Progressive synagogue, trade unions and the social justice group Citizens UK Birmingham. The church heard that many warm-hearted 'Brummies' wished to offer sanctuary to Syrian refugees. So in the face of negativity from the likes of the English Defence League, St Andrew’s and its partners and wider Birmingham Circuit churches challenged and encouraged the City Council to open its doors to 50 Syrian refugees (some of the first in Britain) when many cities were silent.” Read more by clicking the 'One Mission Matters image below.
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