HOW CAN WE HELP UKRAINE?

information from the Methodist Church website

A Message from Jude Levermore, Head of Mission, about the Ukraine refugee crisis

I wanted to let you know that over the past few days we have been working hard with colleagues in the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) and the Church of England to influence the government’s policy on refugees from Ukraine. We are also in deep conversation with our European partners.

This is an ongoing and developing piece of work and as we get more details from the government we will update you. Information will also be forthcoming from TMCP. Please know that we are not uncritical of government policy and JPIT will continue to inform our work in regards to the Nationality and Borders Bill and wider work regarding asylum and refugees. I commend the website to you for that information.  

https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-faith/prayer/ukraine/

posted 15/03/22

PRAYER

Loving God, your Son Jesus Christ, wept over Jerusalem.

Today, we weep over Ukraine.

We weep for those uprooted from their homes and lives.

We weep for those cowering in basements.

We weep for those who have witnessed death and destruction on their streets.

We weep for those separated from parents, from children, from spouses and siblings.

We are amazed at the resilience of people seeking to comfort those in need and so we pray for Governments opening up borders so that Ukrainians can have safe passage.

We pray for churches and individuals providing food, clothing and shelter.

We pray for medical workers ensuring that shattered bodies are put back together again.

We pray for ordinary Russians demonstrating and voicing their disapproval of the military actions in Ukraine.

May the Holy Spirit give us the willpower to turn our tears into action also.

May we, through our words, prayers and example pursue the things that make for a just peace in the world today and especially in Ukraine.

In the name of Jesus Christ, we pray.

Amen

THE HOMES FOR UKRAINE SCHEME

The Government has established the Homes for Ukraine scheme, giving the chance for individuals within churches and communities to host a refugee or family from Ukraine.

The scheme is currently for individuals to sponsor a person seeking sanctuary to enable them to live in the UK. There will be a scheme for groups (including churches) to sponsor a person or family, which will be announced at a later date. We will publish details as soon as we have then.

To apply to be a host for the scheme, individuals must be able to offer a room in their home or to provide self-contained accommodation. They must be able to identify a Ukrainian national to sponsor and support their Visa application form.

Apply and get matched up – We encourage you to sign up through the scheme though Reset UK, who will match refugees seeking to come to the UK with hosts. Reset will provide training and support for hosts and refugees as they are matched.  Register here: www.homesforukraine.org.uk.

If you are approached by a refugee seeking assistance we recommend that you direct them to Homes for Ukraine, where they can register to be matched with a host.

You can find out more from the government information on the scheme at gov.uk/homes-for-ukraine

Share with others – Please promote Homes for Ukraine to individuals in your churches and community.

[Note from Paul: Please keep a list of those you know who have registered and let me have it (paul.timmis@methodist.org.uk). We hope to be connectional in our response to link up Methodists who have volunteered, to enable them to receive support.]

Can I connect with a Methodist? There are about 300 Methodists in Ukraine. Most of those who have fled are being cared for in neighbouring countries. The church leaders in the region will be in touch with us if there are individual cases of refugees who want to come to the UK, but they are grateful to us if we can take in refugees in general.

SAFEGUARDING

We are working alongside the safeguarding team to assess areas where additional support and guidance will be needed for churches and church members hosting through this scheme.

Further information will be released as soon as it becomes available.

DONATE

All We Can and the Methodist Church in Britain have launched an emergency appeal in response to events unfolding in Ukraine. Donate to the Ukraine Appeal now

ENGAGE WITH THE WIDER ISSUE OF REFUGEES

The need to offer sanctuary to people forced to flee conflict and persecution is far wider than the current Ukrainian situation. As a Church, we have been involved with advocating for and supporting people seeking sanctuary from many countries.  

Please see these links below for some examples of that work and ways in which you can get involved:  The Joint Public Issues Team – Asylum and Migration work. 

The UK Government is currently seeking make substantial changes to the way we welcome refugees and asylum seekers. The Methodist Church has worked with partners to consistently raise concerns about this approach. Find out more about our work on the Nationality and Borders Bill here.

GIVE TO THE WORLD MISSION FUND

The World Mission Fund is used to support partner churches and organisations around the world, including the support of partners working with refugees in migrants.  Recent examples include the support of migrant workers from Myanmar Methodist Church Malaysia supports migrant workers from Myanmar and support for Mediterranean Hope in Lampedusa working with refugees Refugees in Lampedusa – Support through Mediterranean Hope (methodist.org.uk).

You can give to the long term work of the World Mission Fund here: World Mission Fund

TWIN WITH A EUROPEAN METHODIST CHURCH

Mid to longer term will be looking to create twinning partnerships with churches in the region. This is not possible right now, due to the other pressing matters. The Conference has encouraged all districts to partner with a church in Europe. You can find out more information about twinning here: https://www.methodist.org.uk/our-work/our-work-worldwide/global-relationships/opportunities-and-resources/church-twinning/.  Please talk with your District Office or the Global Relationships team for more conversation.

Information correct at time of publication, 17 March 2022