World Refugee Week 2021
How do we understand how we co-belong to one another?
This year’s theme for reflection ahead of World Refugee Day on June 20th, is “Fitted Together”.
The early church was fitted together by a unity in the Spirit, while representing a gathering that was wholly counter-cultural, as all shared from the same table. As followers of Jesus, we experience the fullness of God’s blessing being in community with those from all languages, cultures, and social locations. Our understanding of God’s grace and mercy is deepened. Our capacity for love is extended. We expand our learning. Jesus went out of His way to meet a Samaritan woman. He healed a Roman centurion's son. And He spent three years with a friend who would betray Him. The heart of God is revealed in these encounters. Our lives are enriched by the people we develop relationship with who bring the gift of different perspectives and experiences. Choosing co-belonging is a framework of thinking that can lead to healthy frameworks for action.
The Narrative
For World Refugee Day, 2021, World Partners caught up with EMCC people involved in relationships with refugee claimants and those who have been sponsored, as well as those recently settled in Canada. Let's learn together from these friends who have pursued relationship with refugees, and the results that emphasize their sense of belonging to one another.
Part 1: An Invitation to Be Fitted Together ⇩
Reflecting on this week's theme and looking ahead.
Part 2: Fitted Together with Newcomers ⇩
The story of how Cornerstone Oromo Christian Missions Centre has extended a place of belonging and found new Canadians contributing in return.
Part 3: Encouraging Co-Belonging ⇩
The story of how Adam House has created a space for refugees and the wider community to build friendships.
Part 4: Choosing to be 'Fitted Together' ⇩
The story of how Ben (and his family) and Pam Hicks became chose family through refugee sponsorship.
Part 5: Continuing in a Spirit of Co-Belonging ⇩
Reflecting on the week and what next steps each of us can take to bear witness to God's desire to fit us together with those of all social locations, languages, and cultures.
Part 1: An Invitation to Be Fitted Together
"What does community look like?"
This open-ended question was in our thoughts and conversations before March 2020. But after the last 15 months, as we often were alone seeking connection together, and sharing meals over Zoom, this question drove innovation, reflection, and a continued search for belonging.
The prospect of post-Covid life has given way to key questions about what we want our lives to look like, in light of the lessons we have learned. World Partners is inviting you to consider what invitation God may be giving as we re-engage with our neighbourhoods and the larger world around us.
As followers of Jesus, we receive encouragement from the Word, both through God’s instruction, and the example of the early church. The early church was fitted together by a unity in the Spirit, a gathering that was wholly counter-cultural, as all shared from the same table.
We are called to extend our tables for more to gather - from all languages, cultures, faiths, and social locations. Our lives are enriched by the people we develop relationship with who bring the gift of a different perspective and experience. We can expand our learning, deepen our understanding of God’s grace and mercy, and extend our capacity for love. As one result, we receive the fullness of God’s blessing from being in this type of community.
“The foreigner residing among you in your land, do not mistreat them. The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born. Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt. I am the Lord your God.”
Leviticus 19: 33-34
“Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.”
Ephesians 4:15-17
As we journey together this week, we will hear from some of EMCC people who have been fitted together with refugees, and the ways Jesus has shaped their minds and hearts as a result.
What can you do today to demonstrate co-belonging with other followers of Jesus and many more from around the world? Together, we can listen and co-experience the hope that Jesus is demonstrating in refugees' lives and the communities they are fitted together in.
Part 2: Fitted Together with Newcomers
"But whoever has worldly goods and sees his brother or sister in need, and closes his heart against them, how does the love of God remain in him? Little children, let’s not love with word or with tongue, but in deed and truth.”
1 John 3:17-18 (NASB)
In a time of global vulnerability, we have been made aware of not only our own needs but the needs of others around us. We have been awakened to the shortage of basic necessities, issues like systemic injustices, and unequal access to life-saving healthcare for many around the world. Refugees would be included in those who have experienced these hardships, even more so in a pandemic.
How can we respond? What if our unique opportunity to interact with the nations was through long-held practices of hospitality and neighbouring? What if our tangible acts of love bear witness to the hope that we have?
“Our gospel is not only theoretical, it is practical. We need to live it out. By whatever potential you have, whatever capacity, just try to reach out to refugees and give them hope." - Nuradin Surara
These verses in 1 John show that tangible hospitality is part of our call to love one another and, through the stories today, is a meaningful place to grow friendship and fostering co-belonging with those of different cultures and social circumstance.
Today, we invite you into the story of Cornerstone Oromo Christian Missions Centre, who have welcomed and served refugees as a main ministry of their church. Their story demonstrates a generosity that has transformed all involved.
Cornerstone Oromo Christian Missions Centre
Nuradin Surara and Mekonnen Gurmu are executive leaders at Cornerstone Oromo Christian Missions Centre and share their church’s experience of how refugee sponsorship has seen church members and refugees integrate into community with each other.
Both Nuradin and Mekonnen have been involved in the work of refugee sponsorship over the past number of years. Born in Ethiopia, Nuradin came to Canada, by way Kenya after a number of years. He now works as a full-time nurse and volunteers his time to leading ministries of the church. Mekonnen came to Canada by way of Ethiopia and currently serves as board member of Cornerstone Oromo Christian Missions Centre.
Cornerstone Oromo Christian Missions Center has taken on the co-sponsorship of several refugee families; a significant undertaking of time, energy, resources. Asking how they continue to focus on this ministry, Nuradin explains “Fortunately, we are so lucky by having lots of volunteers in our church who are willing to support refugees….Most of our church members came through this same process one way or another….So, we had that passion about helping refugees because we have lived that life. And we have tested what it looks like….So, in that kind of situation, [our] reaching to someone, to the family, [allows us to] be a hope. And providing them a way so that they can come and settle and come help themselves here.”
Mekonnen shares about the practicalities of this support to those they've sponsored:
“When the refugees come, we welcome them.…..When you compare [other countries] and Canada, everything is completely different. Language is sometimes an issue. We help them to settle into their environment, to the weather…If they need something like transportation, groceries, or taking them to a medical appointment or getting the health care card, social insurance number….We’re there to support them day and night, seven days a week.”
When asked what they have learned and received from participating in this work, both were quick to emphasize the posture of new Canadians who want to extend their experience of co-belonging to others.
“As soon as [refugees] land here, after two or three months, [they say,] ‘I’m willing to help someone. I’m willing to sponsor someone. Is there anything that I can contribute to the church or society in this area? Can you guys walk me in the way of how I can do something good for the society here in Canada or even if there’s anything abroad?’ These newcomers, even though they don’t have enough money in their [bank] accounts, they approach the leadership and say ‘I am willing to sponsor someone. If you have someone who is looking for a sponsor, I will be the co-signer. I will be able to help them.’ When they come here, they go to school, they learn, they graduate from any professional work or frontline workers. In a pandemic situation, where everybody is staying home, [these new Canadians] go out and serve their country, serve their society, serve their neighbour.”
This powerful example echoes in Nuradin and Mekonnen’s comments, who see newcomers finding co-belonging in their church community and the networks they represent.
“We have seen how interconnected things are, how you’re indirectly supporting the sponsored person’s family back home…Bringing over one person into an environment where they can use their potential and be productive means a lot…For our church, this is a way for us to reach out to non-believers. Most [refugees sponsored] are from Muslim background. And we are able to reach out to lots of families. Once they arrive, we’re their primary community that will give us opportunity to reach out to them with the Word of God….This congregation is their family. They can talk with them, have coffee with them. Even though [newcomers] departed from their family back home, this is their new family. First, we give them that social belonging.We take them out; introduce them to community groups and social services in Calgary. We connect them with the resources and access that we have.”
Finally, both men share an encouragement to us all as members of our local expressions of churches and broader community.
Nuradin shares that “sponsoring refugees is time consuming but at the end of the day, you will never regret it. [It] is a blessing. That is something that you count on…If you sponsor a [Christian] or non-believer, whoever they are, when they come and see you as a Christian person...when you welcome that person to their new country, meet them at the airport, give them a hug [and] say, ‘I am your new family member',you know how that person is going to [have a perception] about the belief and practice you have.”
Mekonnen adds, “We really encourage churches and people get involved in helping refugees. I think it should be one of the core centres of everything.”
Part 3: Encouraging Co-Belonging
To sum up, all of you be harmonious, sympathetic, loving, compassionate, and humble; not returning evil for evil or insult for insult but giving a blessing instead; for you were called for the very purpose that you would inherit a blessing.”
1 Peter 3:8-9 (NASB)
The old adage is that people will not remember what you say, but they will always remember how you made them feel. In the Way of Jesus ethos, followers of Jesus would say that we seek to be like Him in our attitudes, behaviours, and character. Reflecting Jesus’ attitude of hospitality, with a welcoming posture to all, includes extending our table and participating in community that reflects the diversity of the early church’s fellowship. The words from 1 Peter 3:8-9 encourage us to display the fruits of the Spirit that can plant seeds of friendship with those we encounter.
Today, we invite you into the story of Adam House, which serves as a unique place where both refugee claimant residents, staff, and volunteers create bonds that feel like family. Lucy Chaimiti (Hill)*, the executive director, creates spaces for refugees, followers of Jesus, and other community members to get acquainted with each other, and build long-lasting connections.
"There’s really great stories of friendships that continue for years, that have developed and grown out of the connections made here at Adam House....That’s the goal, right?…What we want to happen over time and, which we have seen happen, is a reciprocal friendship, where the church members can call on the refugees and hospitality is offered."
- Lucy Chaimiti
Re-visit an interview World Partners did last year, where Lucy described her journey to becoming the Executive Director of Adam House and how Adam House extends a sense of family to those that they serve.
An Update from Lucy Chaimiti
Lucy Chaimiti (Hill) is the Executive Director of Adam House, where she has been serving since 2012. She has roots in Lion’s Head, ON, and has remained connected to the EMCC since that time.
This year, the pandemic has created changes in the rhythms of Adam House, including fewer overall residents and less social programming. Of these changes Lucy remarks, “…[having] less refugees allowed us to have people stay here a little bit longer. Normally we would have people hopefully move out within four months of arriving at Adam House and we’ve sort of extended that, which has allowed people to settle a little bit more before looking for long-term housing.”
Adam House’s mission statement includes a service to refugee claimants by:
providing a welcoming short term home;
intentionally encouraging refugee claimants to make a personal connection with the church in [Adam House’s] community; and,
educating churches and the community about the refugee landscape.
There have been a number of lessons and trends that Lucy has seen in pursuing this mission and creating space for refugee claimants, churches, and community members to interact.
“I think there is a lot of misinformation about refugees. So intentionally engaging churches helps us to overcome some of those obstacles. Giving church members an opportunity to know refugees. Because I think it’s easy to believe misinformation when you don’t have firsthand experience with someone who is a refugee. So that was really important to us, for people to know refugees so that they can see that they are people like them, they are families like their families. So that was really important for us. For refugees, what it meant was, that they would get to know local people, that could maybe engage with them in terms of employment or housing or even just friendship. And of course, for us as a Christian organization, the connection also that people can deepen their walk with Christ, if they are Christian or they can get to know Christians if they aren’t Christians and see that these are ordinary people too, that love and care for refugees.”
Some of the results from this type of connection have included long-term friendships for those involved, and for Lucy herself.
“One of my favourite connections is with a Syrian family that lived at Adam House about four years ago. They really struggled initially with a lot of trauma-related mental health issues, especially the wife and mother in that family. They were Muslims but they loved connecting with the church people, especially at the Friday night social which was less spiritually focused. And they have really great friendships with a couple of the churches and church members that were engaged with them. [Sharing our faith] is not always the first thing people in our culture are necessarily comfortable doing but [we] encourage them too. You have this wonderful friendship and take the opportunity to discuss your faith.”
“I am still friends with many of the refugee claimants who have passed through, even friends of my family. I’ve eaten a lot of delicious meals with our residents and going to the homes of our former residents, experiencing their hospitality and amazing cultures and cuisines.”
These friendships all began with a starting point, and Lucy acknowledges the reality of the first steps people take toward friendship and co-belonging with new Canadians.
“Sometimes it can be a bit awkward. It’s like any connection you might make when you’re out, when you’re in church, when you’re in school, when you’re in your workplace, when you’re in the park. You might meet someone with whom you develop just a natural connection and rapport cause you have things in common…So sometimes, they happen so organically and naturally, but it can be awkward when there might not be some of those bridges...There are certainly challenges to that but I think the rewards are so great when you do get involved with people and find a way to help them and also be a friend to a refugee claimant….Sometimes it’s just seed planting and we don’t know the end result, especially spiritually. We just hold out faith that those connections are pouring into the lives of refugees and that they can learn from them. I think even the sense of welcome to Canada that they receive through that is so vital and important.”
As a final encouragement Lucy reminds us, “[t]hose refugees end up being in your community. You might meet refugees without doing so intentionally. But if there are refugee ministries in your community, start to get involved…Don’t be afraid because you might meet your best friend.”
Part 4: Choosing to be 'Fitted Together'
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.” Eph 4:15-17 (NIV)
As members of both the local and global expression of the Church, we continue to have opportunities to build the body of Christ to participate in Jesus’s mission. This week’s focus has included the stories of those who have chosen to do the work God has laid in front of them to welcome newly settled Canadians and demonstrate God’s invitation for all of us to co-belong to each other.
"It really is a beautiful picture of the body of Christ in action, as the [refugee sponsorship] team forms and supports this family. Those who have administrative skills, they can support them in this way. Those who have the gift of hospitality or gift of mercy or gift of giving of their time and resources. It’s just inspiring to see the body of Christ be able to reach out in such a tangible way like that. I think it’s an awesome expression of God’s heart for each one of us."
- Pam Hicks
We invite you into the story of Pam Hicks, member of the EMCC National Team, and Ben, her friend who came to Canada from the Middle East. They will both share lessons they have learned from their journey together and as their relationship grew.
Pam’s Story
Pam Hicks has served on the EMCC National Team in a variety of roles, and is currently assisting as Operations Projects Coordinator. She is in conversation with Ben, a newly settled Canadian, along with his mom and sister, living in Kitchener-Waterloo.
Both Pam and Ben give some history for how they met and became acquainted with each other, as well as Ben’s mom and sister.
Ben shares, “...[My family and I] had to leave Iraqi Kurdistan and we went to Turkey. When we were in Turkey, [a friend from the US] came to Turkey to visit me.…He said, 'Okay. Is there anything I can do?' I said, 'Well, I heard that Canada would accept refugees. Do you think you could do something about that for me?' He said, 'Let me see. I have a friend in Canada. Let me call him.' [This friend] said, 'Oh, yeah. As a matter of fact, our church would sponsor refugees.' He said, 'Okay, cool. Well, sponsor them!' So, that took almost two, three years to do everything. That’s exactly how we came here.”
Pam recalls how she became connected to the journey of Ben and his family.
“In 2018, I was helping out with World Partners administration. Joel, knowing my love for learning of other cultures, asked if I would take on the role of Refugee Sponsorship Coordinator. I jumped on the opportunity. Through our partnership with the Christian & Missionary Alliance, I learned the process for sponsoring refugees through the Canadian government. But I was lacking the personal investment. During a conference on sponsorship, I met Kaylee from MCC (Mennonite Central Committee). Her own church, local to me, was sponsoring a family and she offered to bring me into the team. It was a great opportunity to meet and work alongside people who also had a heart for refugees and new Canadians.
Their friendship began at the airport, as Ben and his family were welcomed to their new home of Canada, and continued on through the one year of sponsorship. But, the connections did not stop when the team commitment ended, even amidst the pandemic.
Pam states that “…Because of the relationship I had with Ben, his mom and sister, I just couldn’t walk away. They mean too much to me. We are family.”
Ben affirms this sense of family with Pam as well “...As she said, the group [from the church] which sponsored us, there were like 20-25 people. Within this 25, Pam is the closest. One of the things that I always say is 'Pam, I don’t know how much more we should try to convert you.' Basically conversion normally means from one village, one faith to another. In this context, it means from your culture to our culture. Just think about it. We live in Canada and we are trying to convert Pam. So, we are that close...So yeah, having her as a member of our family is more than a blessing…For the whole family actually. My whole family knows her. Every time we talk with my brother or my sister [in Turkey], they always say, ‘How’s Pam?’ Always.”
For both of them, this decision to be bonded as family has taught them about each other’s worldviews and cultural differences.
Ben says “…One of the things I love about Pam and I think this applies to most people from West, they are straightforward. Whatever they say, they mean it. That is a challenge for me, actually. I have to work on that….We [also] think differently. We have had so many discussions, conversations, sometimes arguments too. So, this mindset that I’ve had for 30 years, that I have grown with, needs to change little by little. And she has been really helpful. It has been a challenge for me, always. Every single time we discuss, argue, whatever, I have to think for two, three hours that day to work on my mindset and everything.”
Pam reflects that “I’ve had my worldview challenged and expanded. We don’t see things the same way but both perspectives are valid. It’s difficult to intertwine or mesh those views together and perhaps it’s a mistake to do that. Their experiences have validated some of the world’s harshest realities. But their resilience is inspiring. And they have great hopes and aspirations for what they can still yet do. Their circumstances have not caused them to withdraw from life. They’re ready to continue to move on and seek for great things. I’m also humbled by their sacrifice for family members who are still refugees awaiting sponsorship. And for the many friends they have who are seeking asylum in many places. There’s so much uncertainty in all these connected lives and it weighs on them. And yet they keep moving forward day by day.”
Finally, Ben and Pam offer some encouragement to those who would want to engage and get to know those that are coming to Canada.
Having lived two years in Canada, Ben shares “…[newly settled Canadians], we are like you, [even with] cultural difference…[W]e will be more than happy to meet every single person in our community, in our neighbourhood. But no one says hi. No one visits me. Because they feel like, he has his own culture, we have our own culture so maybe they’re not comfortable…My suggestion would be to simply visit [recently settled refugees or your new neighbors]. Say hi. Exchange food, maybe – that would be a good step. Maybe initiate teaching English. A good friend of us has taught my Mom for two, three months, even though she’s illiterate. She learned a lot. Something that simple has a lot of effect.”
For Pam, her experience has “…simply confirmed what I already knew and believed. We all long for connection and relationship. How much more so when someone arrives to a new place with very little resources and perhaps no network. When I have traveled to various countries, I depend on those I’m with to lead me, to guide me and care for me. My understanding of that culture or country is so limited but I’m eager to learn. I think that’s what it’s like for newcomers. They are willing to embrace a new life, a new language sometimes, with the hope of making many new friends to fill their lives with community and give them a sense of belonging. There’s great blessing in sharing our lives together.”
Part 5: Continuing in a Spirit of Co-Belonging
We are thankful for those who are participating with God and with their communities to extend friendship, and a sense of co-belonging with refugees and newly settled Canadians.
Today's prayer summit included reflection from Ephesians 2, where we are reminded of how God is the one who brings us together, meant to demonstrate peace to our communities and society at large.
But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility, by setting aside in his flesh the law with its commands and regulations. His purpose was to create in himself one new humanity out of the two, thus making peace, and in one body to reconcile both of them to God through the cross, by which he put to death their hostility. He came and preached peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through him we both have access to the Father by one Spirit.
(Ephesians 2: 13-17, NIV)
As you consider how God may be prompting you to participate with Him, we we hope the stories of this week help you consider the invitation that God is giving each of us to extend a sense of co-belonging to those around us.
4 Ways You Can Continue to be Fitted Together.
How has God been speaking to you through this week’s reflections? Here are 4 possibilities. Which one is God drawing your attention to?
1 Learn.
Participate in #wrwfittedtogther conversations on World Refugee Day, June 20.
Review and share the stories from this week, and start a conversation within your church community.
2 Pray.
Being mindful of how God has placed people of different cultures, languages, and social locations around you. May you consider His invitation to bring more people around your table or social circle, and live openly.
3 Serve in your Community.
Offer and receive hospitality and friendship with new neighbours,
Join a Friendship Circle, volunteer as a mentor, or get involved in ESL, with Immigration Services or New Canadian Agencies,
Sponsor refugees through your church, or together with other churches. What's involved? Read this guide.
4 Give.
to EMCC’s Refugee Fund (assisting refugees and the churches sponsoring them).