In the Diocese of Chichester, covering Chichester, Horsham, Brighton, Lewes and Hastings, parishes are partnering with local authorities to help the Afghan refugees, through donations, support with learning English, and the offer of vacant vicarages to house families.The diocese has given the go ahead for three vacant unfurnished vicarages to be made available. The Diocese of Norwich has made a house available to provide a home for an Afghan refugee family for two years. The Bishop of Norwich, Graham Usher, said: “My prayer is that this house has become a home for a family to settle and thrive in. I hope they’ve found the welcome that so many “strangers” down the centuries have received in the wonderful city of Norwich. It’s another way of living out the Gospel of Christ in loving our neighbour.”Lesley Lynn, Chair of Chichester Diocese finance committee, said. “The churches are offering a lot of support, people are offering to help in all sorts of ways – such as help teaching English. “They have really taken this to heart. Back in August we saw the absolutely heart rending pictures and stories from Afghanistan. I am bursting with thankfulness that we have been able to do something.” More than £120,000 has been raised so far by the Bishop of Norwich’s refugee fund to support Afghan refugees in the region. The funds have helped to pay for TV licences to help with language learning. Bicycles, safety equipment and road safety training have also been provided. Separately, Norwich Diocese Mothers’ Union is working in partnership with Norfolk County Council to provide full bedding sets for Afghan refugee families, continuing work first started five years earlier to support Syrian refugees. Jenny Holcombe, of the Norwich Diocese Mothers’ Union, said: “Helping these families is a very important motherly act, as Julian of Norwich said, 'God is our mother', he provides for us. “We set them up, we love them and we give them the best we can and then we go away and we leave them to find their feet and for the County Council social work team to support them to establish themselves in Norfolk."(Picture: picnic for refugees from Syria and Afghanistan, held in the Bishop of Norwich's garden last year)
Churches Together in England (CTE) - along with partners Christian Aid and Churches Together in Britain and Ireland (CTBI) - are inviting Christians and churches to join together in an act of witness to pray and light candles for Ukraine, for an end to the war and for all those affected.The Archbishop of Canterbury and CTE President, Justin Welby, said: "When we pray, we invite the presence of God into the messiness and darkness of our world."When we pray together, we witness to the possibility of unity and the promise of reconciliation that God promises us in Jesus Christ."I urge all Christians to come together on the 3rd of April to pray and light candles for the people and the peace of Ukraine: to pray for hope for those fearful of the future, to pray for God’s comfort for those suffering, and to pray for the Holy Spirit to turn hearts towards the compassion and justice that the resurrected Christ promises us will eventually prevail."
The Bishop of Coventry wants the city to retain its link with Volgograd.Coventry council voted last week to suspend the city's 80-year twinning arrangement with the Russian city due to the Ukrainian war, despite an appeal by the Right Reverend Christopher Cocksworth for it to continue.The bishop said it was important to "draw a distinction between the Putin state and the people of Russia".He said he would keep in contact with friends in the Russian city.The Labour-run council said it was pausing its twinning links "with a heavy heart" until "such a time" they could resume. Bishop Cocksworth said he understood the decision, but added: "It says something about the deep disruption, the tearing of bonds, the breaking of relationships that war causes."He said he hoped others would also stay in touch with people in Volgograd, to support those protesting against the war and to tell Russians what was happening in Ukraine.And he added he believed the war was most likely to come to an end because of internal pressure within Russia.The bishop also praised the "instinctive" help the people of Coventry had given to Ukraine."The people of Coventry always rise to these challenges and that's partly because we have, even if we might not have experienced it ourselves, we have by being in this city this connection with people who are suffering during war time."
The function room at the Mosley Arms serves as a chapel for 100 people.The Rev Ben Woodfield (pictured with his wife Amy), who led last week’s gathering, said: “Our aim is for people to relax. "It’s very informal with lively songs, interactive talks and group discussions.”It came about after landlady Bernie Bates was approached by a pal about using the pub in Bolton, Gtr Manchester, for worship.Bernie said its 10.30am weekly service appeals to people reluctant to go to a traditional church or who do not have access to one.She added: “Our first service drew in people of all ages — from babes in arms to adults in their 80s.” The pub’s owner, brewery Joseph Holt, give up the room for free.Mr Woodfield co-leads the Antioch Network — an organisation aimed at setting up contemporary Anglican services in urban communities. He said: “The Mosley Arms is in the heart of the community and the perfect place to start a regular Sunday service.”
