Since many church members in Clifton, York, work with Refugee Action York and other plans for supporting Syrian asylum seekers in the city, Clifton Moor Church was a natural venue for a ‘pop-up’ Syrian restaurant on Friday night, run by a team of Syrian chefs co-ordinated with help from York City Church, and much enjoyed by Martin Sheppard.

The entire Mission team visiting York Deanery, led by Bishops Paul Williams (Southwell & Nottingham) and David Williams (Basingstoke), came to share the authentic Middle Eastern meal and hear the Revd Stephen Griffith speak about his ministry in Syria, and answer questions about the country including about the present political class and the remote prospects for peace.

“In Jesus’ ministry he was concerned with where people were broken, and he calls on the church today to be mending. Syria is very broken, and there are huge opportunities for the church to be doing something about that, whether with refugees here in York, or back home in the Middle East. This is the mission of the church; mending the brokenness,” said Stephen.

comeandsee.uk