Churches in an Oversight Area in east Birmingham recognized that they were welcoming a significant number of people into their churches whose first language is Urdu and who were new to faith.
Their response was to create a new worshipping community ‘Cornerstone’, away from the church building, where they could gather together regularly to pray together, read scripture together, learn about the Christian churches in this country, and so build up a ‘toolbox’ to equip them as disciples of Jesus for the future which, almost always, would be in another part of the country. The liturgy is loosely based on one used at ‘Breakfast Church’, and focusses on table conversation and story telling. The story story of Jesus calming the storm on the Sea of Galilee nearly always makes deep connections.
Over time, the Cornerstone community has changed, and now includes Farsi speakers, and people from other language communities, and other non-Christian backgrounds. Through links with a church in Sandwell they are working with Church House Publishing on translating more than simply the Confirmation Service. In terms of free software, they have found Microsoft Interpreter to be most reliable.
The people who are part of this community have huge practical needs, and the churches have been blessed by a generous donation which enables them to respond with food and clothing. The culture is one of co-creation, where together needs are recognized and met. The biggest challenge can be a spiritual one, with some people having engaged with spiritualism along their migration journey, and others traumatized in a range of ways.
Please pray for all those who are part of these communities, and contact Mission Support if their story inspires you and encourages you to think again about how you connect with migrants who are seeking to grow as disciples of Jesus in your Oversight Area.