A CHURCH is Nailsea has become the first in North Somerset to achieve the Church of Sanctuary Award.

The award was presented to Nailsea Methodist Church on Sunday, July 2, at a service of celebration. Representatives of City of Sanctuary UK, who advocate for inclusivity, solidarity and compassion for people forced to flee their homes, also attended.

Members of the church have been thanked for their efforts in supporting refugees and immigrant families in the area. For example, they have run a Hong Kong Welcome Course and joined forces with other local churches to provide a Conversation Café for refugees from Syria and Ukraine.

The Sanctuary Awards programme recognises and celebrates organisations which go above and beyond to create welcome, compassion and empowering opportunities for people seeking sanctuary.

Rebecca, from Hong Kong, said: "I still remember the first time we came to Nailsea Methodist Church,  we could really feel the warmth and acceptance from the church.

"People were so eager to help us settle in this country.  Such authentic help brings much blessing for us."

Church minister, Revd Deborah Mallett, said: "The call to love our neighbour, whoever they are and wherever they are from, lies at the heart of Christian faith. We aspire to be a community of welcome and a safe place for all.

"This award is a happy marker on an on-going journey to express deeper solidarity with those on the margins."

In a recorded message, founder of City of Sanctuary,  Revd Dr Inderjit Bhogal, addressed the congregation holding a rope recovered from a wrecked refugee boat in the Mediterranean. He said: "Some refugees can come here using safe routes without resorting to unseaworthy vessels.

"We need the same kind of humanitarian safe routes to be available to all refugees."

The award was presented to Ceri Brown, a church sanctuary champion, by Susana Askew from Bristol City of Sanctuary.

Guest preacher Forward Maisokwadzo, who is the national secretary of the Methodist Church Zimbabwe Fellowship, shared his own experiences as a refugee. 

Ceri also compiled key facts and figures about the forced displacement of people from across the globe, as well as how the church can help.