Church reps urged to campaign for refugees

Representatives from churches across the county are being urged to back calls for an amnesty for asylum seekers at a meeting tomorrow, during national Refugee Week.

Some 200 members of the Southwell & Nottingham Diocesan Synod, which will meet at Nottingham University, tomorrow (Wednesday 20th June) at 7.30pm, will sign-up to the opportunity to discuss a private members motion on justice and asylum seekers which aims to back a call on the government for an amnesty leading to residency for asylum seekers who have had continuous employment for two years, whatever their status.

This motion comes as part of the recommendations of a report on the plight of asylum seekers, published by the Rainbow Project at St Stephen with St Paul's church, Hyson Green. The report, called 'True Ghost Stories - the voice of the living dead from Nottingham - April 2006 - April 2007' will be available to members at the meeting and will also be published on the website for the Dicoese of Southwell & Nottingham later this week. (www.southwell.anglican.org)

Vicar at St Stephen with St Paul's, the Revd Ruth Worsley, said: "These true stories have been collected from a number of destitute asylum seekers and refugees who live in Nottingham. It shows the degradation they suffer rather than return to their home country in fear of their lives. We hope synod members will back this motion and vote to support the campaign for justice."

Other items under discussion will include a presentation on churches developing partnerships with their local police. Members will hear a presentation on Police and Churches Together (PACT) - a scheme running in the Newark area – by Superintendent Dave Wakelin and Inspector Tony Dennis of Nottinghamshire Police. A discussion on the potential to explore further partnerships, to improve the local quality of life across the county will follow the presentation.

The synod will be followed at 8.30pm by the Annual General meeting of the Southwell & Nottingham Diocesan Board of Finance, which will include a report from the trustees and the Directors report and financial statements for the year ended December 2006.

*The plight of refugees and asylum seekers, is also being highlighted with a national production touring the country called the 'Asylum Monologues – Personal Testimonies of Asylum Seekers in the UK'.  this will be performed on Thursday, 21st June  at the Vine Community Centre, Bobbersmill Road, Hyson Green, NG7 5GZ.  7pm, admission free.  Further details: Marguerite Howard 0115 9701855 or 07779581057.

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