At a time when we are witnessing increasing anti-migrant sentiment in some local communities and in politics, it is more important than ever to show that not only are refugees welcome here, but that our communities stand wholeheartedly together.
The ‘Communities Together with Refugees’ campaign is a cross-community moment which aims to demonstrate unignorable public support for refugees and people seeking asylum. Coordinated by the Together with Refugees coalition, in which the JPIT denominations are founding members, it will show that our communities stand together with refugees and against those who would seek to sow division and hate.
Focused on the first weekend of December (5-7 December 2025), the idea is to have public displays of orange hearts – a symbol of compassion for people fleeing war and persecution – in thousands of different ways, from posters in community spaces, to giant Christmas decorations on town centre trees or orange heart-shaped biscuits given out at community events. All these gestures of care and solidarity will show that we stand together and in community with refugees.
How will you and your church join in?
Order free window posters from Together with Refugees (though note the deadline has now passed for these to arrive before 5 December – if you need some for then, contact us as we have a stock of posters and can post them to you this week). Or print your own posters (orange on white) using the template here.
Mark the campaign in your service on Sunday 7 December, perhaps as you light an Advent candle – see suggested prayers and worship resources below.
Download a community action toolkit from Together with Refugees, with ideas for organising different community events.
Use the opportunity to meet your MP to show your support for refugees.
Staying safe
At a time of heightened tensions in our communities around these issues, and with the rise in far right activism and rhetoric, people may understandably be concerned about their safety and the safety of those attending and participating in actions and events. Together with Refugees offer useful advice and resources here on managing risks when planning your activities.
Worship resources
A Prayer for Peace, Welcome and Justice
Heavenly Father,
In this season of Advent — a season of waiting and hope — we pray for your peace to dwell in our hearts, our homes, our churches, and across our land.
God of compassion and refuge,
you know the pain of those who flee violence, war, persecution and fear. You know the weariness of long journeys and the longing for home. In your mercy, turn toward all who are seeking sanctuary and safety.
We pray for refugees and asylum-seekers:
– those on their journeys now, fearful and uncertain,
– those separated from loved ones, longing for reunion,
– those living in limbo, waiting for clarity and belonging.
May they find in our communities more than tolerance – may they find kindness, dignity, and hope.
Help us, as your people, to open our hearts and our doors, to treat every stranger as friend, every newcomer as neighbour.
Teach us to love as you love, remembering that once we too were strangers.
We pray for the leaders of our nation, and for all who shape public policy:
Give them wisdom, compassion, and courage to build a fair and humane asylum system – one which honours your call to welcome the stranger, upholds human dignity, and ensures safe refuge for those in need.
Holy Spirit, move among us now.
Soften hearts hardened by fear, prejudice or suspicion. Remind us of our shared humanity. May our churches and our communities become living symbols of welcome and solidarity – places of sanctuary, healing, belonging, and hope.
As we prepare to celebrate the coming of your Son, the Prince of Peace, who arrived with no place to lay His head,
May the light of Christ illumine every shadow of fear and division,
And may peace take root wherever there is sorrow, displacement or pain.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
A prayer for neighbours
God of welcome
you call us to love our neighbours as ourselves
and show your care for those who are most vulnerable.
We hold before you today
those forced to make dangerous journeys in search of safety
children separated from their families
and those who have been waiting a long time for good news.
Be with all who are fearful or angry
because of the treatment they have received
and communities struggling with poverty and inadequate services.
We pray for those who lead
that they would make wise and compassionate decisions
guided by principle rather than political expediency.
May we keep loving our neighbours – all our neighbours –
even when that is costly or unpopular
and be agents of your healing, and peace, and hope.
Amen.
Creative prayer
Use orange paper hearts or sticky notes as a focus for prayer. Invite people to write their own prayers or messages of welcome.
Hymns and songs
‘If I Saw My Toddler’, to the tune of ‘Away in a Manger’, by Carolyn Winfrey Gillette, inspired by a photo of a Syrian child with her hands in the air, fearing that a camera lens was a gun. Words and copyright information here.
‘Pray for a world where every child’ by Ruth C. Duck (Singing the Faith 527)
‘There are no strangers to God’s love’ by Andrew Pratt (Singing the Faith 716)
‘God weeps’ by Shirley Erena Murray (Singing the Faith 700)
‘We pray for peace’ by Alan Gaunt (Singing the Faith 719)
Further ideas
‘God with Us: Worship resources on the theme of refugees, migration and sanctuary‘, published by Churches Together in Britain and Ireland and the Church of Scotland
Taking it further
Explore JPIT’s other resources and campaigns on the UK’s asylum system.