Refugees documentary provides talking point for European churches
A new documentary offering a glimpse into the lives of people who have sought refuge in Europe is providing an important talking point for churches.
Europe has been divided over the best way to respond to the boatloads of refugees making the dangerous journey across the Mediterranean to its shores from Africa.
But the makers of 'The Peace Between' hope that the documentary can stir an open dialogue in communities across Europe as they try to make sense of the refugee crisis.
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The documentary highlights the friendship between Europeans and refugees, and is directed by award-winning filmmaker Caroline Kamya, who was born in Uganda and raised in the U.K. It is produced by Talitha Brauer, primary photojournalist at Brother's Keep International, an art project aimed at highlighting the stories of refugees.
Churches are being encouraged to screen the documentary in their buildings and host discussion events around it.
The European Evangelical Alliance, a collaborator in the documentary, said it was an opportunity for churches to hold respectful discussions around refugees moving into their neighborhoods.
It is asking churches to host screenings around World Refugee Day on June 20.
The documentary features Istvan Horvath General Secretary of the Hungarian Evangelical Alliance, who said that for many people, the only information they had about refugees came from biased media outlets.
He said: "I wanted to be part of this film because I would like to help churches and Christian believers to find real, good and balanced answers to this complex and difficult situation.
"I would like to encourage God's people to find what is our/their responsibility and our/their possibilities in this hard situation – at this historic moment. The Gospel will never change."
Vitaly Vlasenko, of both the Russian and European Evangelical Alliances said: "I really think the film will help us to understand how good relationships can change bad habits and wrong expectations of refugees. This film gives me many good ideas and calls me into action."
A trailer for the documentary can be seen below:
Churches interested in hosting a discussion event can register for access to the documentary here
For resources and sermon ideas, visit: https://sites.google.com/view/peacebetweendiscussion/home
