In time of conflict remember that we are all equal

JESUS knew how to be made welcome and how to welcome others. However, he started life as a refugee and finished it being rejected by his own people.

With all the turmoil in the world there are many people who don’t feel welcome, even in their own land and are forced to flee. These people have a need to be made welcome elsewhere.

Many Ukrainians sought refuge in the UK and it was heartening that many were taken in to families locally, particularly women and children who needed to escape and find security while their menfolk continued to fight the invading Russians after their homes in the East had been destroyed.

There are many individual stories and there are many different experiences to cope with.

Some might have thought that it was only a temporary situation and they would soon be able to return home.

Others were so traumatised that they really wished to rebuild their lives here, away from the conflict. This has caused obvious problems with host families and communities who hadn’t anticipated an open-ended commitment.

Between Ipsden and Checkendon there is what is still known locally as the Polish Camp. Displaced Poles came to the UK in two waves — after the Nazi invasion and, later, after the Communists took over.

The remains of the camp are an enduring example of the welcome shown. Although, living in Nissen huts in the woods can’t have been very comfortable.

One of the huts served as a community centre and Catholic chapel. Until fairly recently there was still a bell and stained-glass window there. They have been moved to a Catholic church in Reading.

Many families and individuals moved out to the larger towns in the area but the Polish shops and the products available elsewhere show the enduring community. There are still plenty of people with Polish names in this area.

Our local towns and villages were and are safe, stable and relatively prosperous places and the communities have been able to welcome strangers.

However, welcome and hospitality are harder to give and receive where there is a long history of intercommunal suspicion and violence.

I was surprised that so many Ukrainian refugees were sent to and taken in in Northern Ireland.

It is a tragedy that, through no fault of their own, they have been caught up in the crossfire of racist agitation against Roma refugees and immigrant Filipina textile workers.

Paul, in his letter to the Galatians, said: “There is no longer Jew or Greek, there is no longer slave or free, there is no longer male and female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”