Christian Response

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Get Involved

‘The command to love your neighbour extends to everybody who lives near you and everybody you meet in the six days between attending church. … We should avoid thinking of ‘church’ as simply a ‘church’ building and instead think of ourselves as the active, committed people of God.’
Welcoming Angels, Dublin 2005, p. 40.

Many of us would love to get to know our new neighbours, helping them to adjust to new surroundings, and building more inclusive communities. We are concerned with the needs of people who have been forced to flee from their own countries. As change produces fear and suspicion, and there is an increase in overt racism, we want to find ways of creating bridges of trust. These are just a few ideas as to how to make a start:

Becoming a more welcoming congregation

  • Ensure that your church buildings are welcoming from the outside, with clear signs.
  • Language is very important, and it is helpful if people can be greeted with a phrase or two in their own language.
  • Encourage newcomers to participate, for example, in reading a lesson or taking up the collection/ offertory.
  • Include some aspect of the worship tradition from the country of origin, such as a song or a prayer.
  • Invite members of minority ethnic Christian groups to take part in special services.
  • Hold special services for example, in Refugee Week, Anti-Racism Sunday, or Holocaust Memorial Day, and invite members of minority groups to speak or attend.
  • Could your premises be use for a drop-in centre to help people settle in, or host a mother and toddler group, recreation centre (sport or culture) for minority ethnic groups, English language classes, or an advice centre?
  • Work with others on a welcome pack for new residents.
      

Increasing cultural and ethnic awareness

  • Encourage racial awareness and anti-racism training in your congregation or area.
  • Hold celebration meals such as harvest suppers where you might invite people from a minority ethnic group to cook for you.
  • Celebrate festivals such as Chinese New Year.
  • Visit cultural centres together. For example, people from a rural background, anywhere in the world, will find something in common at somewhere like the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum.
  • Visit the cultural centres of minority ethnic communities – such as the Indian Community Centre in Belfast, to learn, and to affirm their presence as part of a shared society.
  • Learn about other people’s religious beliefs and practices by hosting an exhibition, visiting religious centres, or inviting members of other faiths to explain their religious beliefs.
  • Find ways of celebrating and honouring the achievement of individuals and groups from minority ethnic populations in your community.
  • Use any forum, inter-church groups, Community Safety Groups, District Policing Partnerships, to make sure that even minor acts of racism are taken seriously.
      

Some practical things you might do personally or in a group

  • Pray for the work of EMBRACE and the building of a more welcoming community.
  • Invite people from minority ethnic backgrounds to your home.
  • Learn as much as you can about the issues surrounding immigration, asylum and racism so that you can counter myths and stereotyping.
  • Join EMBRACE so that we can help to keep you informed about facts and issues.
  • Compile a dossier about racist incidents in your area and share this with community and congregational leaders.
  • Let EMBRACE know about the good and the bad news from your local area – in congregations and in the community.
  • Consider training in order to volunteer to teach English as a second language, become an adult literacy tutor, volunteer as a translator, or teach computer literacy.
  • Undertake race awareness or cultural diversity training.
  • Volunteer with other groups such as the Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM), Multi-Cultural Resource Centre (MCRC), or Red Cross.
  • Think of fund-raising ideas for the EMBRACE emergency fund.
  • EMBRACE needs volunteers from time to time to provide food for picnics and parties – make sure that we have your details if you would like to help.
  • Raise small amounts of money for the EMBRACE emergency fund.
  • There may be other appeals for practical assistance from time to time, e.g. for emergency packs for destitute migrant workers or new asylum applicants.

For some further ideas, look at Embracing Diversity, our information update, and keep an eye on the web site for forthcoming events and appeals, and to discuss volunteering options please phone 07969921328

 

Advice for Churches

Last Updated 06/09/2011
If you encounter a problem and need assistance, we do not have an advice/support worker but hope that this advice will help you. Please contact us if there are areas that you feel we have not covered. The advice below is available to download as a 12 page A4 document here.

Advising people from other countries who are encountering difficulties
Churches, congregations, groups and individual Christians sometimes encounter people from other countries who are in crisis situations and have difficulty because many do not have access to the same entitlements as local people. Resident minority-ethnic people may also experience difficulties because of racist attitudes.
These situations often raise complex immigration issues. It is always best to ask an expert for advice in individual cases. (It is illegal to give immigration advice without a licence.) A good place to start is the Citizens Advice Bureau for your local area. The Northern Ireland list can be found here.

The Law Centre NI provides free advice on all concerns about immigration status and rights. Law Centre help lines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433. Advice lines are open 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday.The Law Centre has also published a booklet, in 15 languages, highlighting organisations that give free immigration advice. Access it here

The Belfast Migrant Centre offers an immigration advice service, which is mostly by appointment. They run weekly advice clinics in different locations. For details on the services they provide and how to access them visit the website, call (028) 9043 8962 or email info@belfastmigrantcentre.org. Their office is at 2nd Floor, Ascot House, 24-31 Shafesbury Square, Belfast, BT2 7DB

You may find it helpful to contact local support organisations or forums. For example, people in the South Tyrone area can phone STEP (South Tyrone Empowerment Programme) for advice and support. STEP Support Centres are located in Dungannon (028) 8772 9002, Portadown (028) 3839 9595 and Magherafelt (028) 7930 0848.

If you are approached by a family in need from the Roma community please contact the Roma community liaison workers at the Multi-Cultural Resource Centre who can advise on an appropriate response. MCRC is located at 9 Lower Crescent, Belfast, BT7 1NR. Call (028) 9024 4639 or email info@mcrc-ni.org .

If a person agrees, the honorary consuls of the home country can help in certain circumstances.

These are some of the situations that may be encountered:

Someone might be able to claim for asylum

Someone has had an asylum claim refused and their appeal turned down but they are unable to return home and are destitute

Someone is anxious about a friend or family member who is in immigration detention

Someone is here without proper papers

Someone is short of money and has no right to state benefits

Someone from another country has no right to state benefits is destitute and has a child

Someone has housing problems (e.g. poor conditions or rent arrears)

Someone is homeless and destitute and has no right to state support or access to social housing

Someone is homeless and destitute, has no right to state benefits and is abusing drugs or alcohol

Someone is a victim of domestic violence but is unable to leave their accommodation because they would become homeless

You suspect that someone has been trafficked

You suspect that a child is under the control of people who are not his/her parents

Someone is being exploited at work

Someone is the victim of racist abuse/a racist crime

Someone is unsure whether he/she is entitled to emergency medical help

Someone has difficulty signing on with a family doctor (GP)

Some publications that provide helpful information


Someone might be able to claim for asylum

If someone has a well-founded fear of persecution in their own country they may be able to claim sanctuary here. They should be advised to go to the Bryson One Stop Service for Asylum Seekers who have a 24-hour advice and support service for people seeking asylum.

Bryson One Stop Service for Asylum Seekers, 9 Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR
Tel: (028) 9043 9226 E-mail: info@brysononestopservice.com Website: click here to link

Their emergency out of hours number for asylum claimants in need of assistance is (028) 9024 2025.

Alternatively they could be encouraged to explore their options with the Law Centre NI who will be able to give free advice on all concerns about immigration status and rights. Law Centre help lines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433. Advice lines are open 9:30 to 13:00 Monday to Friday.

Someone has had an asylum claim refused and their appeal turned down but they are unable to return home and are destitute

People may be unable to return to their home countries for a number of reasons e.g. their state of health, their country will not accept them back, or it would be unsafe for them to travel. (You can read more about the asylum system here .)

  • Ensure that they have claimed hardship vouchers known as Section 4 support. The Bryson One Stop Shop for Asylum Seekers can advise. (This support is only available to some people and only if they agree to return home as soon as it is feasible.) Contact: Bryson One Stop Service for Asylum Seekers, 9 Lower Crescent, Belfast BT7 1NR Tel: (028) 9043 9226 E-mail: info@brysononestopservice.com

If people are ineligible for Section 4 vouchers, or cannot survive on the limited access to goods that they allow, or have a special need (e.g. for medical prescriptions) the groups listed below can help with accessing practical assistance.

The Northern Ireland Community of Refugees and Asylum Seekers (NICRAS) a refugee–led support organisation. Contact: NICRAS, 143A University Street, Belfast, BT7 1HP,   Tel: 9024 6699,   E-mail: nicras@hotmail.co.uk.

The Red Cross in Belfast
Services Manager Neil McKittrick,  Tel: 9073 5350 or nmkittrick@redcross.org.uk

(Support organisations such as these may come to EMBRACE for assistance from our Emergency Fund. We do not give money or goods to people directly but rely on other properly constituted groups to validate applications for assistance.)

Some people may get to the stage where they realise that their case for asylum cannot succeed and that they will have to return home. Refugee Action assists the UK Government with Assisted Voluntary Return and Reintegration programmes. See website for programme details or call Refugee Action on 020 7654 7700


Someone is anxious about a friend or family member who is in immigration detention

Find out if the detainee has a solicitor and ensure that they have been contacted.

If possible, ascertain where the person is being held and if they can be contacted by mobile phone.

Access free advice through the Law Centre help lines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433. Advice lines are open 9.30am to 1pm Monday to Friday. Outside office hours phone the Refugee Action Group (RAG) Immigration Emergency Helpline: 0800 400 495 where a volunteer will forward the information for action. If a person is detained in Larne House and would benefit from Christian pastoral care, ask EMBRACE to contact the group of local clergy who act as chaplains.

Someone is here without proper papers

This can be a complicated issue and anyone seeking to help such a person should contact an organisation such as the Law Centre (NI) for free advice. The Law Centre is also able to advise on all concerns about immigration status and rights. Law Centre help lines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433. Advice lines are open 9.30am to 1.00pm Monday to Friday. The Migrant Help helpline for distressed foreign nationals is 01304 203977


Someone is short of money and has no right to state benefits

Even if someone appears not to be entitled to benefits they may be able to get some welfare assistance under certain conditions. However, it is important to get advice before applying for benefits as applying in error may affect immigration status.

Citizens Advice can advise, as can the Law Centre (NI) (both listed above). Advice NI has a referral service: telephone (028) 9064 5919 for information on Advice Centres in your area.

Migrants in the South Tyrone area can phone STEP (South Tyrone Empowerment Programme) for advice and support as well. STEP Support Centres are located in Dungannon (028) 8772 9002), Portadown (028) 3839 9595 and Magherafelt (028) 7930 0848.

Many people, however, will have no entitlement to public support and have to rely on charity. It is up to your own discretion whether you provide cash support. Some churches have provided food parcels or toiletries instead. St Vincent de Paul may be a source for clothes or household goods for people of any or no faith background.They have groups throughout NI and drop-in centres in Armagh, Coalisland, Cookstown, Craigavon, Downpatrick, Kilrea & Lurgan.
List of St Vincent de Paul helplines List of St V de Paul Conferences

Other local support organisations include the Salvation Army.

Where people are willing, Refugee Action can help people from outside the European Economic Area to return home.For enquiries call 020 7654 7700. Encourage people to seek advice, for example, from Citizens Advice, Belfast Migrant Centre or the Law Centre NI before pursuing voluntary return as it is a big step and can have negative consequences.

EMBRACE channels assistance from churches to destitute migrant workers through the EMBRACE on the street project and our Emergency Fund. This support is always given through homelessness organisations and other charities. We do not give money or goods to people directly but rely on other properly constituted groups to validate applications for assistance.

Someone from another country has no right to state benefits is destitute and has a child

Regardless of the entitlements of the adults, the welfare all children is the responsibility of their local Health and Social Care Trust. The 5 Northern Ireland Trusts can be accessed here and you should contact the duty Social Worker. This will not always provide a long-term solution. Trusts may only support people for a short time and then encourage them to return home.

Even if someone appears not to be entitled to benefits they may be able to get some welfare assistance under certain conditions. However, it is important to get advice before applying for benefits as applying in error may affect immigration status.

Citizens Advice can advise, as can the Law Centre (NI) (both listed above). Advice NI has a referral service: telephone (028) 9064 5919 for information on Advice Centres in your area.

Migrants in the South Tyrone area can phone STEP (South Tyrone Empowerment Programme) for advice and support as well. STEP Support Centres are located in Dungannon (028) 8772 9002), Portadown (028) 3839 9595 and Magherafelt (028) 7930 0848.

Many people, however, will have no entitlement to public support and have to rely on charity. It is up to your own discretion whether you provide cash support. Some churches have provided food parcels or toiletries instead. St Vincent de Paul may be a source for clothes or household goods for people of any or no faith background. They have groups throughout NI and drop in centres in Armagh, Coalisland, Cookstown, Craigavon, Downpatrick, Kilrea & Lurgan.

Someone has housing problems (e.g. poor conditions or rent arrears)

The Housing Rights Service can give advice during office hours Tel: (028) 9024 5640 and useful information can also be found at the website www.housingadviceni.org developed by Housing Rights Service and Shelter. The Shelter website also has a directory of advice services throughout Northern Ireland.

Someone is homeless and destitute and has no right to state support or access to social housing

Migrants will often not have any right to social housing except in certain circumstances. The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) will not provide housing to those with no right to state support. However, the NIHE must at least give advice to someone who is homeless and advise them on finding accommodation.

Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) Telephone (028) 9024 0588
Their district offices can be accessed here.

The Housing Rights Service can give advice during office hours Tel: (028) 9024 5640 and useful information can also be found at the website www.housingadviceni.org developed by Housing Rights Service and Shelter. The Shelter website also has a directory of advice services throughout Northern Ireland.

Many of the homelessness organisations are members of the Council for the Homeless NI and their contact details can be accessed here.

The Simon Community NI (SCNI) assists migrant workers and local people without distinction and provides a free centralised helpline, 0800 171 2222.

Where people have no right to public funds they are often ineligible for beds in hostels that are funded by public funds through the Housing Executive. There are some organisations in Belfast that can help people faced with sleeping rough.

The Welcome Organisation in Belfast is skilled at addressing the multiple needs of destitute people and provides a Homeless Persons Drop-in Centre and Support Services, Day and Night Street Outreach and Crisis Accommodation for women.
Tel: (028) 90 234387    E-mail : info@homelessbelfast.org Web: www.homelessbelfast.com

Homeless Persons Drop-in and Support Centre, The Welcome Organisation, 65 St Peters Square North, Belfast BT12  Tel: (028) 90 234387

The Homeplus Day Centre in Botanic Avenue, Belfast is a daily drop-in centre for homeless migrant workers and offers advice, hot meals, washing facilities and emotional support. Homeplus NI, Centre Manager: Sean Smith, 109 Botanic Avenue Belfast BT7 1JP      Tel: (028) 9024 8521 E-mail: homeplus.manager@yahoo.co.uk

(EMBRACE channels assistance from churches to destitute migrant workers through the EMBRACE on the Streets project and our Emergency Fund but the support is always given through the homelessness organisations and other charities. We do not give money or goods to people directly but rely on other properly constituted groups to validate applications for assistance.)


Someone is homeless and destitute, has no right to state benefits and is abusing drugs or alcohol

It is important to seek the help of specialist groups as very complex problems can be involved. Homelessness organisations are used to dealing with these. For a list of homelessness organisations see www.chni.org.uk.

Where people have no right to public funds they are often ineligible for beds in hostels that are funded by public funds through the Housing Executive. There are some organisations in Belfast that can help.

The Simon Community NI (SCNI) assists migrant workers and local people without distinction and provides a free centralised helpline 0800 171 2222. They have a Harm Reduction Service that aims to assist homeless substance users to reduce the harm associated with drug and/or alcohol use while they are living in a Simon Community project and when they move back into the community.

The Welcome Organisation in Belfast is skilled at addressing the multiple needs of destitute people and provides a Homeless Persons Drop-in Centre and Support Services, Day and Night Street Outreach and Crisis Accommodation for women. Tel: (028) 90 234387 Web: www.homelessbelfast.com

Homeless Persons Drop-in and Support Centre
The Welcome Organisation, 65 St Peters Square North, Belfast BT12   Tel (028) 90 234387 E-mail : info@homelessbelfast.org

The Homeplus Day Centre in Botanic Avenue, Belfast is a daily drop-in centre for homeless migrant workers and offers advice, hot meals, washing facilities and emotional support.

Homeplus NI, Centre Manager: Sean Smith, 109 Botanic Avenue Belfast BT7 1JP
Tel: (028) 9024 8521 E-mail:  homeplus.manager@yahoo.co.uk

The Northern Ireland Community Addiction Service (NICAS) can help anyone with couselling for drug or alcohol addiction if they can be contacted by telephone. Their advice line is (028) 9066 4434, see website for further details and office locations.

The Health and Social Care Trusts may also be of help. Find you local trust here.

(EMBRACE channels assistance from churches to destitute migrant workers through the EMBRACE on the Streets project and our Emergency Fund but the support is always given through the homelessness organisations and other charities. We do not give money or goods to people directly but rely on other properly constituted groups to validate applications for assistance.)


Someone is a victim of domestic violence but is unable to leave their accommodation because they would become homeless, as they have no access to social housing

Before you take any action ensure that you have the permission of the victim.

Victims of domestic violence may be able to take shelter in a refuge run by one of the Women’s Aid organisations in Northern Ireland. There are shelters throughout Northern Ireland and the 24-hour helpline can be reached at 0800 917 1414.

Women’s Aid can also provide advice about getting an occupation order where the abuser can be forced to leave the home and in an emergency the PSNI may be called but in either case, there is no guarantee that the UK Border Agency will not be involved. So people with problems over their immigration status may wish to consult the Law Centre NI who will be able to give free advice on all concerns about immigration status and rights. Law Centre helplines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433. Advice lines are open 9:30am to 1:00pm Monday to Friday.

You suspect that someone has been trafficked*

If you have fears that someone has been trafficked and they are not happy about approaching the PSNI or you worry that their story might not be believed, it may be helpful to suggest getting free confidential legal advice from the Law Centre NI via the helplines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433.

Individuals can also be advised through the 24 hour Migrant Helpline 07766 668781. E-mail mhl@migranthelpline.org

You can report suspicious activity through the Crimestoppers confidential line 0800 555 111.

The Law Centre has prepared Exploited, a leaflet in 12 languages, Albanian, Brazilian Portuguese, Czech, French, Lithuanian, Malaysian, Mandarin, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian and Thai which might help.

Where a child is concerned the local Health and Social Care Trust should be contacted. The 5 Northern Ireland Trusts can be accessed here and you should contact the duty Social Worker.

*‘Trafficking involves transporting people away from the communities in which they live and forcing them to work against their will using violence, deception or coercion. When children are trafficked, no violence, deception or coercion needs to be involved: simply transporting them into exploitative conditions constitutes trafficking. People are trafficked both between countries and within the borders of a state.’  Definition by Anti-Slavery , See www.antislavery.org

You suspect that a child is under the control of people who are not his/her parents

Depending on the situation, you may want to contact a social worker at one of the Health and Social Care Trusts. The 5 Northern Ireland Trusts can be accessed here and you should contact the duty Social Worker. Contact the PSNI or the Crimestoppers confidential line 0800 555 111 if you feel the situation is urgent.

Someone is being exploited at work

The local Citizens Advice Bureau (a list can be found here) or the Advice NI line (028) 9064 5919 can refer you to an Advice Centre in your area. Severe exploitation is a form of trafficking see You suspect that someone has been trafficked

People who want to learn more about their rights can contact the Pay and Work Rights Helpline 0800 917 2368, text phone 0800 121 4042 visit the website. If someone is or might be receiving less than the legal minimum wage, they should contact the National Minimum Wage Helpline, Tel: 0845 6500 207.

If the person is in a trade union he/she should be encouraged to talk first to their trade union representative. If they are not they can call the Law Centre NI for free advice via the helplines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433.

The Labour Relations Agency (LRA) can also help. Advice can be given over the telephone (028) 9032 1442. When telephoning, ask for the ‘Enquiry Point’.

The Department for Employment and Learning (DEL) is the government department responsible for employment law in Northern Ireland. To make a complaint about recruitment agencies telephone (028) 9025 7580 for a complaint form.

The Gangmasters Licensing Authority (GLA) was set up to curb the exploitation of workers in the agriculture, horticulture, forestry, shellfish gathering and associated processing and packaging industries. Its telephone is 0845 602 5020 and its website www.gla.gov.uk has information in Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Slovakian and other languages.

If you have a query about health and safety at a workplace you can telephone the Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland on 0800 0320 121 or visit its website. The Executive also produces leaflets in various languages, which can be obtained by telephoning the number above.

The Belfast Migrant Centre offers employment rights advice. Telephone (028) 9043 8962 for an appointment.

Someone is the victim of racist abuse/ a racist crime

Before you take any action ensure that you have the permission of the victim. Many people fear making the situation worse by making a complaint. Where people are willing, there a number of ways of reporting the incident.

The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has published Hate Crime, Racial Incidents: Protecting your Rights. This is available in Urdu, Hindi, Arabic, Italian, Portuguese, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese. You can report a hate crime online at www.urzone.com/hatecrime/hatecrime.asp but in an emergency you should dial 999, and for non-emergency calls phone 0845 600 8000.

The Northern Ireland Council for Ethnic Minorities (NICEM) has an Online Incident Report Form. Download here

The Northern Ireland Housing Executive (NIHE) encourages reporting of neighbourhood harassment to their district offices. Contact details can be found here. They have also published a Hate Harrassment Support Pack for groups that are likely to be targeted and, in September 2009 NIHE, in partnership with the PSNI, produced Hate Crime Cards in nine languages. For further details or copies of the card, contact Frank Mulhern, Community Safety Manager with the Housing Executive Frank.mulhern@nihe.gov.uk

There are local initiatives in some areas, for example, in South Belfast the Chinese Welfare Association and the Polish Association NI support bilingual community safety advocates, Simon Ling, CWA, Mobile 07888 398630, Tel: 9028 8277, E-mail simon@cwa-ni.org or Aleksandra Lojek-Magdziarz on Mobile: 07916 574225.

The Equality Commission for Northern Ireland is the body responsible for preventing discrimination and promoting equality. It covers various areas of discrimination including gender, race, disability, sexual orientation, marital status and religious or political belief. It can be contacted by telephone (028) 9050 0600 or at the above website.

Someone is here without proper papers

This can be a complicated issue and anyone seeking to help such a person should contact an organisation such as the Law Centre (NI) for free advice. The Law Centre is also able to advise on all concerns about immigration status and rights. Law Centre help lines: Belfast (028) 9024 4401 and Derry (028) 7126 2433. Advice lines are open 9:30 to 13:00 Monday to Friday.

Someone is unsure whether he/she is entitled to emergency medical help

Everyone is entitled to emergency medical assistance either from hospitals or family doctors, although not all general practitioners are aware of this.

Someone has difficulty signing on with a family doctor (GP)
People’s right to sign on with a family doctor depends on the nature of their immigration status. As a general rule, only people who are working or are the dependent  of a working person are entitled to ongoing care if they have come here recently. however, doctors should be encouraged to submit applications to the NI Health and Social Care (HSC) Business Services Organisation (BSO) to make a decision, rather than assuming that everyone from a certain country or ethnic group (e.g. Roma) is ineligible.

Some publications that provide helpful information

The Department for Employment and learning has produced a guide, Living and Working in Northern Ireland

Gems NI, has complied a Living in Belfast pocket guide for new migrants.

The Law Centre (NI), Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission and Animate have produced Your Rights in Northern Ireland: A Guide for Migrant Workers available in a range of editions and languages from NIHRC and the Law Centre NI.

Your Rights in Northern Ireland, A Guide for Migrant Workers from: Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovak Republic, Slovenia. (Available in English, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish and Slovak)

Living and Working in the UK: Rights and Responsibilities of Nationals from the New Member States from 1 May 2004

Your Rights in Northern Ireland, A Guide for Migrant Workers from: Romania and Bulgaria.

Your Rights in Northern Ireland, A Guide for Migrant Workers from: Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Iceland, Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland (Second Edition 2008).

Your Rights in Northern Ireland, A Guide for Work Permit Employees.

Living and Working in the UK: Rights and Responsibilities of Nationals from Bulgaria and Romania from 1 January 2007.

EMBRACE produces an annual information update. The latest is Embracing Diversity 2011

Reflections on what the Bible says

Repentance, humility, inclusion and advocacy

At the EMBRACE Annual General Meeting in 2004 Sr Brighde Vallely (then EMBRACE Vice-Chairperson) reflected how, in John’s Gospel, while Peter warmed himself by a charcoal fire, in the in-group, Jesus was in the outgroup, among the demonised. After the resurrection, it was Jesus who cooked breakfast on a charcoal fire for the disciples, and Peter, following his earlier denials of Christ, had the opportunity to make his threefold response to Jesus’ question: “Do you love me?”
Brighde then asked ‘So what must we do?’ and answered:

  • Repent of sectarianism, racism and prejudice
  • Wash the feet of others
  • Churches and church communities should be communities of the inclusive charcoal fire
  • Be informed and learn to ask the right questions, of churches, politicians and policy makers

Embracing the Stranger
God is portrayed in the scriptures as identifying with fallen and broken humanity. God revealed Himself as the God of the outsider when He intervened in the lives of the Israelites in Egypt. His liberation of His people from their oppression displayed His commitment to the marginalized and the vulnerable. And it is this concern, compassion and commitment that God holds up as a blueprint for His followers. … Continue reading ‘Reflections on what the Bible says’

Resources for discussion, study and response

Irish Churches recognised the biblical imperative to practice hospitality, inclusiveness, advocacy, and the importance of promoting intercultural dialogue when they endorsed the Irish Churches Affirmations on Migration, Diversity and Interculturalism in 2009. Individual churches are to report back in 2010.
Hard copies can be obtained from the EMBRACE office, the Inter-Church Centre, or the Parish Integration Project.

What the Bible says About the Stranger: Biblical Perspectives on Racism, Migration, Asylum  and Cross-Community Issues Second Revised and Expanded Edition, Kieran J. O’Mahony OSA, 2009

There are some Biblical Reflections in Inter-Cultural Insights: A series of Christian Reflections on Racism, Hospitality and Identity from the Island of Ireland. All-Ireland Churches’ Consultative Meeting on Racism/ Irish Inter-Church Meeting, 2006

The Dublin-based Parish Integration Project Unity and Diversity in our Churches, 2008, compiled by Adrian Cristea, along with Alan Martin, Robert Cochran and Tony Walsh, contains some Bible studies.

Churches Together in Britain and Ireland Racial Justice Resources include theological and practical considerations about asylum and immigration.

Bible resources for migrants

The United Bible Societies has produced an illustrated resource, On the Road: a Journey through the Bible for Migrants, put together by the French Bible Society, in conjunction with a group of migrant people. It is a combination of Bible stories, prayers and personal experiences and suggested questions for discussion. It could be used for personal or group work, by migrants, or local people – or to help bring them together.

The Bible Society (27 Howard Street Belfast, Tel : 028 9032 6577, E-mail : gsec@bsni.co.uk) stocks Bibles in 50 languages, including some children’s editions, and can order up scriptures in 100 languages. Some bi-lingual texts are available.

About

EMBRACE is a group of Christians working together to promote a positive response to people seeking asylum, refugees, migrant workers and minority ethnic people in Northern Ireland.

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