Calais Poem: This WAS our Church

'This WAS our Church'

To the Church of St Michael in the Jungle, Calais

'Our prayers have risen to the Lord
Not in a glorious building
But in a tent which has been an a symbol of hope
To so many trapped in the jungle around us.

We have been a haven of solace and peace
giving praise to the Lord in the squalor and our mud-filled surroundings.

We have remained faithful to the Lord's word, ensuring that the teachings
of holy scripture are studied and understood.

We have kept and marked the Holy Days which are so special to our faith.
In your name we have adorned our Church with sacred images to
glorify you and give you praise.

And now our Church is no more
But we, its people are still there.

Wherever we will be in an uncertain future
Our Church lives on in our hearts and our souls.
May it be an inspiration for all those who strive to put into action
the message of Jesus of justice and peace.

God of the downtrodden and the voiceless
Give us confidence that we can see the way ahead
and not lose the hope of a decent and peaceful life
which is common to all those made in your image.

Give us strength to go forward, always trusting in you
that some day our hopes and dreams will be fulfilled.'
Amen

Ben Bano. of Seeking Sanctuary, on behalf of the displaced community of the Church of St Michael in the Jungle in Calais.

About 'Seeking Sanctuary'.

About 'Seeking Sanctuary'. Almost all of the 8,000+ migrants still encamped in Calais in October 2016 have been moved away, hopefully to better accommodation. 1616 unaccompanied minors have joined others in secure temporary accommodation throughout France fror their cases to be processed and 300 have been moved to the UK. But around 1000 people remain in the camp near Dunkirk and more are hidden in the nearby countryside. 'Seeking Sanctuary' aims to raise awareness about their situation and is organising basic humanitarian assistance through Faith Communities and Community Organisations in partnership with experienced aid workers. Food and clothes are still needed by most of them, not least the scores of new arrivals who turn up weekly.

For further information on how you or your organisation can help, contact Ben Bano on 07887 651117 or Phil Kerton on 01474 873802. To check the latest news, visit our website on www.seekingsanctuary.weebly.com.