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As more and more people are being displaced by the crisis in Ukraine the Church in the UK is working on a multi-pronged response to assist refugees who are finding their way to our shores. The response is being co-ordinated by an Adventist Community Services task force with representatives from across the United Kingdom, including Scotland and Ireland. BUC-news for Friday 8 April features an informative interview with Dr. Beatrice Kastrati, from the North England Conference in which she outlines some of the arrangements that are currently being put in place.

In this article we highlight some elements of the response that is specifically relavant to the Church and its members in Scotland.

Compiling a list of volunteers:

The co-ordinating team has started to compile a list of volunteers who would be able to respond to various aspects of our response. Dr Kastrati says, "Currently, we are calling for volunteers to offer their time as translators, befrienders, childminders, and people who help with the necessary paperwork of registering with GPs and enrolling children in school. We would like to encourage any  of our members in Scotland who would like to make themselves available for this volunteer effort to please make themselves known. The first port of call to do this, will be to inform your pastor that you are available. After doing that, please visit the following web-page to submit your details so that the co-ordinating team can build an overall picture of the help that is available around the UK.

Accommodating refugees:
Perhaps the most pressing need at present is to find accommodation for people who are coming to the UK from Ukraine. In some places the church has identified assets belonging to the church that could be made available for refugees. We do not currently have such assets in the Scottish Mission. Some local congregations might want to work on identifying accommodation options that could be made available. This is however quite complex to accomplish and it will depend on the resources available to a specific congregation.

Some members might be able to accommodate refugees under the homes for refugees scheme. If you are considering providing accommodation under this scheme we request that you please inform your pastor of these intentions. This will ensure that the Community Services team can provide you with information, and any possible resources that become available. Before registering for this scheme, it is essential to study the information that is available on the government website. There is a very helpful welcome guide that outlines what kind of challenges anybody that comes to your home under this schene might face.

Seventh-day Adventists in Ukraine are also being displaced. Dr. Beatrice Kastrati says, "there is work underway create a database to match Adventist families from Ukraine with Adventist families in the UK. This process will ensure our sisters and brothers from Ukraine arrive in a safe space where they find not only shelter but a Christian home, a safe space, and the Lord's comforting presence."  Please contact your pastor if you would be able to accommodate a Seventh-day Adventist family who needs a safe place to stay. The same government regulations will still be in place for these families, so it will be essential that you read the documents above.

Perhaps the most important point from what is outlined above is a request that you please inform your pastor and the national Adventist Community Services task team if you are able to provide any of the assistance mentioned above.

Are there other ways to help?
The community services teams of different local congregations may want to identify local projects that they can run in their communities. Every town or city would have unique needs. The best place to start would be to work out what skills and resources you have available in your church, and then to discuss with the pastor about how you can make contact with your local council, or your town/city's refugee task force, or politicians to offer this assistance.

In future articles we will bring you more information and ideas.

More on the UK Adventist Church's response:
BUC President and Irish Mission president visit the Ukraine-Romania border area.
Dr. Beatrice Kastrati Video Message - to the NEC. Most of the points she raises are also valid in our Scottish Context.