Advent Appeal 2012

The Diocesan Advent Appeal 2012 is to support two areas within our diocese helping refugees. 

Syrian Refugees in Turkey

Turkey: Syrian refugees

This tragedy is a result of the civil war and violence in Syria. Caritas Turkey and the Jesuit Refugee Service are both helping support the refugees with food coupons, hygiene items, medical assistance, blankets and other items to survive the winter. The Syrian refugees out of the camps are not able to enter the state's assistance system and most of the time are left on their own. As they are foreigners with no work permit they have a difficulty to make their own living. Their psychological trauma increases with a situation of uncertainty about official procedures. It is important for them to feel the support from international community as much as possible in these days of displacement due to the violence in their homeland. This project was recommended by the Church of the Resurrection, Istanbul, our Turkish-speaking congregation, which has close connections with the work of Caritas and the Jesuit Refugee Service.

Sudanese Refugees in Finland

Finland: White Nile Congregation

This growing community of Anglicans who are refugees from Sudan continue to need our support. They are running an Education Project which is training students in English language skills. In this way, key leaders are being equipped for eventual return to their homeland, the new country of South Sudan, where English is now the national language, replacing the Juba Arabic which was the previous lingua franca. The Education Project is supervised by the Revd Amos Manga, the priest who serves the White Nile Congregation within the Anglican Church of Finland.

Please consider contributing to the Advent Appeal and supporting these projects with refugees within our Diocese in Europe. Funds can be sent to the Diocesan Office. Contact the Diocesan Finance Officer, Mr Nick Wraight, for further information: nick.wraight@churchofengland.org.