2025 Bishop’s Lent Appeal: Diocese in Europe & USPG collaborative work with refugees across Europe

Psalm 74 rightly says, ‘the earth is full of darkness, full of the haunts of violence’, as is shown by a world map shaded to indicate the presence of violent conflict, ranging from ‘skirmishes and clashes’ to ‘major war’ (as measured by death tolls). Within our Diocese we marked the third
anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine this month, a significant escalation of a war that has rumbled since 2014. The number of casualties, internally displaced people and refugees ishigh, with over 6 million in Europe.
In 2022, USPG and the Diocese in Europe partnered in an appeal for funds to respond to urgent humanitarian needs in Ukraine and refugee needs in neighbouring countries. We have trusted church-related partner organisations on the ground who are delivering vital support to the
survivors of the hostilities. This Lent, we want to build on the transforming work of that earlier Appeal which supported refugees from Ukraine and broaden it to include projects which also support refugees from elsewhere, and in other parts of Europe.
Lent is the time when we remember and re-enact in our worship and our spiritual disciplines the wilderness time of both Jesus and the Israelites. Experiencing the ‘wilderness’ of self-denial from the relative safety and comfort many of us enjoy is very different from the wilderness in which many
asylum seekers find themselves, with no sense of when the promised land might be entered and uncertainty about the provision of daily bread. Families are left with vivid memories of the traumatic events that led them to where they are now. Beyond meeting immediate needs, this Appeal will go towards providing long-term support, helping refugees buildnew lives in foreign lands. Support workers and volunteers working in the projects offer emotional and pastoral care, creating opportunities for refugees to gather, learn, and be creative together. Many refugees have shared what they’ve learned with others, creating a network of support and empowerment within the displaced community. The journey of refugees is far from over, and the projects remain a lifeline for so many who have lost everything.

This Lent we ask you to help us continue our mission to provide safety, care, and hope to families displaced by war or other tragedies. Specifically, the money raised will go towards supporting the following projects:

• Ukraine Aid, The Church of the Resurrection, Bucharest: This programme
addresses the immediate needs of refugees by providing weekly food distribution, clothing,
medicines, and baby products. It also supports education by supplying school resources, and
long-term aid such as job assistance through networks and skill-building (e.g. English language
courses) for individuals and families who have recently moved to Romania.
• Stuttgart Refugee Ministry: this includes German language classes, provision of clothing,
and social activities for refugees.
• Ukraine Space, Saint Margaret’s Anglican Church in Budapest: Over time, this
programme has grown to provide educational and social support for Ukrainian refugee
families, focusing on their specific needs. Key initiatives include school lessons aligned with
the Ukrainian curriculum, a food program offering lunches for staff and children, English
language lessons for adults, and social support through psychological meetings, group trips,
and community-building events.
• The Community Kitchen, Holy Trinity Brussels: Over the past decade Belgium has
seen a significant increase in the number of homeless people, a significant proportion of
whom are undocumented migrants. It is estimated that 90% sleep rough some or all of the
time and 70% do not have enough to eat. Holy Trinity Brussels has responded by using
their facilities to distribute hot food to those in need, and by creating a safe and welcoming
space for volunteers from all walks of life.

The earth is indeed full of the haunts of violence – but equally there are places of joy and light. The work that is done in partnership with USPG to offer safety, community, and practical support to refugees and asylum seekers is a source of light and hope – and often of joy.
There is information about our work with refugees on our website  Here and I also draw your attention to the most recent update from Bradon Muilenburg, the Anglican Refugee Support Lead in Calais Here.
I encourage us all to give generously and prayerfully to this work. Details of how to do that can be found below.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+Robert Gibraltar in Europe

 

How you can donate to the Bishop in Europe’s Lent Appeal 2025:
Via your Chaplaincy Treasurer to Nick Wraight in the Diocesan Office
By cheque made out to: Diocese in Europe
Diocese in Europe Board of Finance
14, Tufton St
London SW1P 3QZ
(Please add the words “Lent Appeal 2025” to any note you send with the cheque)

By bank transfer:
Account number: 40317039
Sort code: 20-06-13
IBAN: GB16 BUKB 2006 1340 3170 39
Swift / BIC: BUKBGB22

On the Diocese in Europe Just Giving page:
https://www.justgiving.com/diocese-ineurope