Church groups working with refugees are asking people to mark Mother’s Day this Sunday by writing to their MPs urging them to help reunite families.
“Many refugee children this Mother’s Day are separated from their mums and we’re supporting the Families Together Coalition inviting people to make and send cards to their MPs calling on them to reunite refugee families,” said a tweet last week from the Columbans in Britain.
On Mother’s Day and every day, “families belong together” it added.
The Families Together Coalition of more than 90 organisations is campaigning to change the UK’s refugee family reunion rules which they feel are “needlessly strict” and offer limited pathways to bringing family members to the UK to be together.
The Birmingham Schools of Sanctuary initiative is another at this time where schools are displaying exhibitions welcoming refugees and these include St Jude’s, St Catherine of Siena and St Martin de Porres Catholic schools in Birmingham.
The Jesuit Refugee Service UK offers a gift card for Mother’s Day – both as a physical card and a downloadable e-card – that also supports destitute asylum seekers and refugees.
This weekend most churches will be celebrating Mother’s Day, many with special prayers and time in the service when children give flowers to their mothers, or to those who have played a mother’s role in their life.
However, the Church of England has asked for sensitivity to those who find Mother’s Day difficult for various reasons. It suggests some people may not have a mother whom they see any more. She may have died, or they just never knew her. Some parents find Mother’s Day sad because they have lost a child and still grieve.
As well as celebrating the love of mothers the Church of England suggests that a place be provided to light a candle during services.
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