#LondonUnited is for anyone who feels a sense of belonging in London and an impulse to welcome strangers as neighbours. Our aim is to project a picture of churches at the heart of modern, diverse and inclusive London, open and welcoming to all. Read the news story for more information about the launch.
There have been many calls for tolerance and hospitality in the wake of the vote to leave the European Union, and with numbers of refugees from Syria and Calais coming to the UK. In the lead-up to Christmas, there is as an opportunity to share stories of communities in London coming together as neighbours, hosts and guests in London across the lines of class, origin and nationality.
#LondonUnited was agreed at the recent London Church Leaders’ St Nicholas Day meeting, which focused on churches’ responses to refugees, asylum seekers and destitute migrants. The roundtable was also attended by Matthew Ryder, London’s Deputy Mayor for Social Integration, who has given his backing to #LondonUnited.
We would like parishes all over the Diocese to share pictures on social media of themselves and their guests of all ages, races, and faiths at church community events in the run up to Christmas, marked with the hashtag #LondonUnited. We want #LondonUnited to demonstrate the many examples of work already being done to bring together communities across the capital.
We want to involve a wide definition of community activity, including everything from night shelters to community Christmas dinners. Participants should, as ever, be sensitive and mindful of sharing images of sensitive or vulnerable individuals. The Diocese of London Media Team can provide talking points and questions and answers to explain the initiative if required.
We would encourage all parishes to use their own social media channels – especially Twitter, Facebook and Instagram – to promote their events, using the hashtag #LondonUnited. The Diocesan Communications Team will retweet and share your posts. The Diocesan Media Team can also support you by contacting journalists about your events. For assistance please contact dioceseoflondon@nullluther.co.uk or 020 7618 9106.
#LondonUnited encourages Christian churches across London to showcase their community work, particularly in response to the needs of refugees, asylum seekers and destitute migrants.
