On Tuesday 14th April, Debbie Weekes-Bernard, Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice, visited the Jesuit Refugee Service UK.
She joined us for an Eastertide prayer service, celebrated by Fr Benedict Odhiambo SJ, praying with refugee friends, volunteers, and staff.
She then joined us for some delicious food cooked by our fabulous kitchen team. Before she left, we had time for a quick chat – here’s what she had to say:
My name is Debbie Weekes-Bernard and I’m the Deputy Mayor for Communities and Social Justice.
There’s a lot of things that have stood out about the work that you do here: the Jesuit Refugee Service UK really does prioritise giving those who are seeking safety and sanctuary a sense of belonging and dignity in the way that they offer up fellowship, community, and the ability to be part of something that is much bigger than themselves.
Those who have been helped in the past often come back as volunteers, in order to help others who are coming seeking safety and sanctuary. I think that is a really good demonstration of how valued the service that is provided here is for those who receive it.
I think one of the clear distinctive elements of a faith-based organisation working in any area of social justice is just the way that they connect faith with service, and connect service with compassion. It is about trying to make sure that those who are often are their most vulnerable receive the help that they need. With faith-based organisations, it is the ability to connect that service with those wonderful values of love and compassion, as well as allyship.
I took part in a service today, an Eastertide service, and prayers were written specifically for those who are here in London and in the UK who are seeking safety and seeking sanctuary. We prayed for those who have come here for support, and we prayed for those who are in the asylum system and who are struggling. All of that is at the heart of some of the greatest human values that we should have, which are about looking out for our neighbour, and looking out for each other.
I’ve had a really great time today, just being part of that wonderful feeling of fellowship, and companionship, and of community.
