Date: 20 December 2022
As the terrible war in the Ukraine moves into its eleventh month, sadly the plight of Ukraine refugees has slipped fro the headlines.
But in Stoneleigh an Open Day has offered a fun afternoon to many who have found their way to Surrey.
St John’s Church supported by Epsom and Ewell Refugee Network, welcomed over 60 people for a buffet lunch and a glass of fizz recently. Invitations were extended to other refugee and asylum seeker families living in the parish.
“It was wonderful to see so many people who have endured such hardship come together and just enjoy each other’s company for a few hours,” says the Revd Geoff Andrew, Associate Minister at St John’s. “We had amazing support from church members and others in the community who really stepped up to demonstrate the love of Jesus to those most in need.”
Beside the food, guests enjoyed musical performances from a violinist and a banduryst - a bandura is a Ukrainian stringed instrument that combines elements of a lute and a zither. There were also beauty treatments and activities for the children.