“Last November, we installed 4 windows in the north transept which questions this idea. One image is of a refugee boat with Jesus, Mary and Joseph as refugees with others fleeing for their lives.

Last night saw a protest across the UK, including on our doorstep here in Redcliffe. This was sparked from mass dis-information being spread about 3 children - Bebe, Elise and Alice who were killed at a dance class in Southport. We hold all those affected, especially the families, in our prayers.

As a community we are horrified at the scenes we saw last night at Redcliffe Hill, our community, where the protests took place. SMR are proud of the work we have done over the last few months with the Mecure Hotel, reaching out to asylum seekers and refugees. These are our neighbours, and we stand alongside them now in light of last night’s protests as much as we did before. I am pleased to say that everyone in the hotel was physically safe, although acknowledging the psychological trauma that that may have been experienced.”

“As a response to last night’s protest we are opening our community hub today on Redcliffe Hill - from 10am - anybody from the hotel or community affected are welcome to come in and have a cuppa and there will be listening ears and support offered.

We ask all of us today, in our prayers and thoughts to consider the question: who is my neighbour? And how can we ensure that we continue to sing the song of faith, and most importantly, justice?”

Statement from Rev. Laura Verrall-Kelly, Associate Vicar of St Mary Redcliffe on 4th August 2024.