THE Refugee Crisis has been regularly in the news during 2015 and Crediton’s churches are finding that the same sorts of questions are being raised again and again: What is really going on behind all of these news stories? and, Where are the real needs and can we address them?

In response to this, the churches in Crediton are partnering with Queen Elizabeth’s School to host an evening that will address these questions and many more.

Rupert Poole, principal at QE, will chair a discussion with Jane Barham OBE and representatives from local organisations working with refugees in Devon.

Ms Barham has a particular insight into the situation after many years of work running refugee camps in conflict and disaster areas.

Her heart-felt presentation on the importance of the UK government’s aid commitment was well received at 2014’s Justice Day, hosted at the Congregational Church.

Rev Preb Nigel Guthrie, Rector of Crediton Holy Cross Church, reported: “We’ve had people ask about organising collections and holding a prayer vigil. I took these ideas to the Christians Together in Crediton group in September and we settled on the idea of holding an awareness and action evening.

“We are delighted to be able to partner with QE in this event and hope that it will be a useful and interesting evening for many people in Crediton.”

Gerald Conyngham reported that Sustainable Crediton supported this meeting and hoped people would attend.

He said: “Whilst at present most refugees are fleeing conflict and oppressive regimes (eg Syria and Eritrea) in the future we are likely to see ’climate change refugees’ ie people leaving countries because of drought or intense heat caused by global warming.”

Judi Binks said: "Martin and I have offered to host a Syrian refugee family if a local quota scheme were introduced.

My grandmother helped Jewish refugees to safety during the Nazi Occupation of the Netherlands and my mother set up a WRVS hostel for Hungarian refugees who fled after the 1956 Rising, so personally, I feel it is something I can do.

“Crediton CISCO (Crediton International Social Cultural Organisation) has shown how our town has successfully found ways through cultural events, food festivals and English language classes to welcome and integrate individuals from the international community who have moved here and I would hope that this outreach could be extended to include a small number of refugees."

Father Michael Wheaton, Priest in charge of St Boniface Church, alerted the group to guidance given by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales which states: "We need to be committed to helping refugees over a long period. To sustain that effort we need moral imagination."

Ann Varker, Minister at Crediton Methodist Church said: “I hope that this event will enable us to see beyond the headlines and find out more about how this ongoing crisis is affecting the lives of individuals and families around the globe.

“I know that many people have a compassionate heart; it will be good to know how best to offer support through taking practical action.”

Pat Barker who used to teach at QE and has worked extensively with refugees in Devon and elsewhere said: “I welcome this meeting. I spent three weeks this summer living in an Asylum Seekers Centre in Belgium.

“I saw their awful wait for the decision as to whether they would be given refugee status or be sent back to their country of origin.”

The Awareness and Action evening is on Wednesday, October 21 at the Queen Elizabeth’s School Drama Hall on Western Road. It will run from 7.30pm to 9pm.

There will be an opportunity to give money toward the ongoing work of Refugee Support Devon, and an NGO (non-governmental organisation) working in the Refugee camps overseas.

There will also be stalls giving more information about what is going on.

For more information contact James Gregory on 01363 772577 or Gerald Conyngham on 01363 773000 or 07795 151552.

Alan Quick