This is my last newsletter as the Programme Manager of the Sanctuary Everywhere programme. I am writing this brief message to say a huge thank you to each of you for three years of inspiring conversations and joyful work; I have really enjoyed my time coordinating the network. I am also very that happy Phil Wood will stay on to support you until the end of this year, when the centrally managed programme will come to an end.
In the years since the image of Aylan Kurdi’s body washed up on a Turkish beach reached the news, we have witnessed many people getting interested in migrant justice. We have seen a lot more action, new organisations and many more new activists joining our migrant and refugee movement. Last year, the Black Lives Matter uprisings shook the news again. Many more activists became interested and a lot more action happened as a result. Unfortunately, the same systems of domination and power that created these tragic events continue to exist, this means we will witness similar moments of fracture in the years to come. But with this, new possibilities to build new ways of relating with each other will also emerge.
My hope is that our community of sanctuary meetings will continue to support new people looking for shelter, and we will not forget that anti-racism and anti- imperialist must be ongoing, whatever is going on in the news. I hope the challenges ahead find us working side by side to build a just and compassionate world. I look forward to seeing the work you do from afar!
In the coming months, Phil will be working on updating and developing new resources so that Sanctuary meetings – new and old - can find inspiration and continue learning and working together. I’m particularly excited about our upcoming podcasts. Stay tuned for that!
In the meantime, read on to hear more about Quakers in Britain and the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network (QARN) plans to work on the Nationality & Boarders Bill. We also bring news of the recent Yearly Meeting Gathering commitment for Quakers to become an actively anti-racist church.
And finally, we’re still keen to hear about your news! Please do keep in touch with Phil and let him know how he can support you in your work.
Tatiana Garavito
Sanctuary Everywhere
Nationality and Borders Bill
Grace Da Costa, Quakers in Britain Public Affairs and Advocacy Manager, is working with QARN to respond to the Nationality and Borders Bill. The Bill Committee and the Joint Committee on Human Rights are taking evidence until mid-September. Quakers in Britain and the Quaker Asylum and Refugee Network (QARN) hope to submit evidence alone or jointly with other churches or charities. We’ll share their submission with this network once it’s complete. As the Bill progresses through parliament, individual Quakers and local meetings may wish to engage with their MPs about it. We hope to provide more information to support you to do this in the autumn.
For those who may want to hear more, our partners at Refugee Action are leading a lot of the public campaigning on the Bill, you can sign up to their mailing list here.
Quakers make commitments on racism, gender diversity and climate justice
At Yearly Meeting Gathering 2021 Quakers made commitments on anti-racism, gender diversity and climate justice.
These issues were considered under the Yearly Meeting theme of 'For our comfort and discomfort: living equality and truth in a time of crisis'. Quakers:
Made a commitment to becoming an actively anti-racist faith community
Lovingly acknowledged and affirmed the trans and gender diverse Friends in Quaker communities and
Committed to redoubling their faith-based action for climate justice.
Susan Mitchell of Dunblane Meeting shares her story of how craftivism with a Sanctuary group led her to explore the connections between migration, climate change and war. Read more
Do you have any stories of witness you can share?
If you or your meeting have stories of witness please get it touch. Friends in involved in Sanctuary Meetings often tell us how much they learn and are inspired from hearing other meetings and Friends’ experiences. We are really keen to help share these stories.
If you think you may have a story that others can gain from, please contact Phil Wood at sanctuary@quaker.org.uk or by phone on 020 7663 1071
Thank you for reading!
As always, if you or your meeting have any work or projects to share or you have needs for support please get in contact with Philip. We would love to hear from you.
Join our Sanctuary Everywhere closed Facebook group here:bit.ly/2ATALLw
