Perth is home to a community of welcoming voices, with people, charities and faith groups coming together to support refugees and people seeking asylum as they build new lives.
For the past three years, Trinity Church of the Nazarene has been playing its part in that shared commitment, offering friendship, hospitality and practical support to people who have arrived in the city seeking safety and to rebuild their lives.
We spoke to Paul Wilson, City Hub Lead at Trinity Church of the Nazarene, to find out more.
“Our main aim is to simply live out the words of Jesus to ‘love God and love our neighbour’ irrespective of religion, culture or background,” says Paul.
“‘Our church volunteer team welcomes people through our weekly Welcome Café, offering a friendly space where attendees can take part in activities including fun games, learning about employment, reading English and getting help with letters of reference. We often finish café sessions feeling we have received more from the attendees than we have given,” explains Paul.
Through local charity partners, some of the people supported by the church have also had opportunities to volunteer, including helping with gardening projects and working in a community kitchen.
The church has supported people by connecting them with partner agencies for employment, education and training opportunities.
“We are extremely grateful to our local partners in the Community Integration Network for their collaboration and support in our efforts,” says Paul.
The church has shared many memorable moments over the past couple of years, including playing a football match during the recent World Cup and visiting a rehearsal at Pitlochry Festival Theatre (sponsored by funders).
However, Paul explains that what many of the individuals have really appreciated most is the personal support they have received through relationships and friendships built with people from the church community.
“Many of the people we support have seen family members die in their own countries because of war, persecution and imprisonment and their stories are heart-breaking,” says Paul.
Through simple acts of welcome, friendship and practical care, Trinity Church of the Nazarene continues to show how compassion and community can help people feel valued, supported and at home.
For Paul and the church community, welcoming others is not just something they do. It is a way of living out their faith and building meaningful relationships with people from all walks of life.
As Paul says, “Welcoming is always worthwhile.”
