There was a man who lived in the Middle East. A hardworking man. A family man. He lived under the regime of an unpredictable and insecure leader, who would kill his own people to preserve power. Things became so bad and this man’s young family was in such peril that they had to flee. The danger was so great that the man took his young family on a terrifying journey to another country, hoping that he and his family would be able to make a new and safe life there. He trusted that strangers in a foreign land would welcome him and provide protection for his young son. We know the end to this story.
It is written in the gospel according to Matthew, chapter 2.
Today, now, thousands of parents in Syria, Libya, Iran and other places are faced with the same terrible choice that Joseph was faced with. Stay and see your children die, or flee and risk the perils of the journey. Today, many children will die. Their photos will not get into the papers. Their stories will never be told beyond their own communities. They will never become adults and take their place in society. This is a tragedy for each individual family. It is also a national and international tragedy. So much potential for the future is being lost each day. Jesus survived, returned to his home country and lived to be an adult. He was able to fulfil his promise, before another oppressive regime took his life.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah has been greatly misused and misquoted to judge and condemn the LGBT community. However, we only need turn to the fiery prophet Ezekiel, to find out what the ‘real’ sin of Sodom was:
‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.’ (Ezekiel 16:49)
We cannot end the tyranny in other countries, but we can help those who are so deeply affected by it. An online petition has already reached over 100, 000 signatures, which means that the UK Parliament will now need to debate accepting more Syrian asylum seekers and provide more support for refugee migrants to the UK. Contact your local MP to see if they will attend the debate and what stance they will be taking. Locally, making donations of clothes and small household items to the West End Refugee Service will make a big difference to those who are able to settle here. The Stand Comedy Club is hosting a gala on Saturday 12th Sept at 2pm to support ‘Medicine sans Frontieres’, who provide medical care to those on the refugee boats in the Mediterranean. There will also be a Community Vigil on the 12th in memory of all those who have died on their journey to find freedom. Whatever we do, we need to do something. Being ‘unconcerned’ is not an option.
God bless,
Cecilia
To sign the online petition, go to
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105991
For more info about the Comedy Gala, go to
http://www.thestand.co.uk/show/26794/medicines_sans_frontieres_charity_gala
It is written in the gospel according to Matthew, chapter 2.
Today, now, thousands of parents in Syria, Libya, Iran and other places are faced with the same terrible choice that Joseph was faced with. Stay and see your children die, or flee and risk the perils of the journey. Today, many children will die. Their photos will not get into the papers. Their stories will never be told beyond their own communities. They will never become adults and take their place in society. This is a tragedy for each individual family. It is also a national and international tragedy. So much potential for the future is being lost each day. Jesus survived, returned to his home country and lived to be an adult. He was able to fulfil his promise, before another oppressive regime took his life.
The story of Sodom and Gomorrah has been greatly misused and misquoted to judge and condemn the LGBT community. However, we only need turn to the fiery prophet Ezekiel, to find out what the ‘real’ sin of Sodom was:
‘Now this was the sin of your sister Sodom: she and her daughters were arrogant, overfed and unconcerned; they did not help the poor and needy.’ (Ezekiel 16:49)
We cannot end the tyranny in other countries, but we can help those who are so deeply affected by it. An online petition has already reached over 100, 000 signatures, which means that the UK Parliament will now need to debate accepting more Syrian asylum seekers and provide more support for refugee migrants to the UK. Contact your local MP to see if they will attend the debate and what stance they will be taking. Locally, making donations of clothes and small household items to the West End Refugee Service will make a big difference to those who are able to settle here. The Stand Comedy Club is hosting a gala on Saturday 12th Sept at 2pm to support ‘Medicine sans Frontieres’, who provide medical care to those on the refugee boats in the Mediterranean. There will also be a Community Vigil on the 12th in memory of all those who have died on their journey to find freedom. Whatever we do, we need to do something. Being ‘unconcerned’ is not an option.
God bless,
Cecilia
To sign the online petition, go to
https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/105991
For more info about the Comedy Gala, go to
http://www.thestand.co.uk/show/26794/medicines_sans_frontieres_charity_gala
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