Genesis 21:8-21 tells the story of an Egyptian slave woman, Hagar, cast out from Abraham’s household with her son, Ismael. In the wilderness they face certain death but God hears their cries and shows Hagar where to find water. The earlier promise of God that she would have many descendants is renewed (Gen 16:10).
In this extraordinary story we meet a God of compassion who hears the cries of those who suffer and are displaced. The rest of the biblical account has little mention of Hagar and her son but they are not forgotten.
In the Exodus story God speaks out against the system of slavery and creates a new community where slavery should no longer exist and the stranger is to be cared for.
This reading speaks powerfully into our theme of Refugee week, ‘A million stories’. Australia has welcomed a million refugees since the end of the Second World War and we are invited to reflect on this important milestone, and remember how God weaves threads of new life into places of pain and brokenness.
One example is the work of Palestinian Christians in Australia (PCiA). In the last two and a half years they have support 115 recently arrived Palestinian and Lebanese families and are preparing for the arrival of 15 more families from Gaza.
We live in a time of escalating global conflicts and the painful displacement of people and communities. Our churches continue to bear witness to the importance of welcoming the stranger and sharing the gift of hospitality.
NCCA’s Australian Churches Refugee Task Force (ACRT) has joined with Common Grace to advocate for just, compassionate policies to ensure that Australia maintains and where possible increases its humanitarian intake and support for those seeking asylum. Take part in the new campaign, End the Waiting.
As churches together we work with partners overseas through Act for Peace bringing hope into situations where hope is often absent. We continue to work and pray for a world where there is safety for all God’s children.
In the midst of the pain of displacement on the ground many local Christian communities provide support for refugees and there are also many wonderful stories to tell.
We acknowledge the tremendous contribution made by those who have come to Australia as refugees and give thanks for the courage of those who have come to Australia seeking asylum often bearing the scares of trauma and displacement.
Our communities reflect a rich tapestry that includes the stories and lives of those who were forced to leave their homeland who have found a home here.
by Rev Dr Helen Richmond, a Minister of the Uniting Church in Australia and a Director of the NCCA Board.