Building Bridges between the Church and the Nations at Our Doorstep: Greater Boston Refugee Ministry Be a part of an exciting opportunity to help launch a start-‐up ministry initiative. Help the world’s refugees feel at home in the United States. Form life-‐changing relationships that will deepen your understanding of what it means to “love your neighbor.” Upon entering the US, most new arrivals need help… • finding good schools for their children • obtaining affordable housing • securing immediate jobs • enrolling in English language classes • • • • navigating the mass transit system locating translation services learning about health care options setting up a bank account …and so much more. Refugee resettlement agencies provide as much support as possible, but staffing shortages make it impossible to take care of all needs. Greater Boston Refugee Ministry’s mission is to recruit, train, and mobilize local churches to fill in the gaps. We do this by setting up what we refer to as Open Tables – a visual metaphor for the kind of community we envision. It is a model in which everyone (including the refugee family) brings their gifts, skills, and expertise to the table to provide wraparound support services and to nurture meaningful learning exchanges among all members. The first GBRM Table is currently taking shape, and we hope to have a full team in place to welcome a new refugee family in April 2015. We will then begin multiplying the Open Table model with volunteers in Boston-‐area churches. Does this sound like something you’d like to be a part of? Please email Sarah at [email protected] for more information. You can also sign up for our email newsletter, which will keep readers informed about: o o o o Events of interest Training and volunteer opportunities How to get involved with an upcoming table through a local church How to pray for this important ministry Join us in welcoming our refugee neighbors and be part of changing lives!