NEST Stands For North End Sponsorship Team

NEST began in 1986 as a cooperative ministry of three Lutheran churches in Winnipeg's North End: Redeemer, St. John's and Zion to sponsor refugees to Canada. NEST now consists of six Lutheran congregations (Christ, Grace, Redeemer, St. John's, St. Luke's-Zion, and Trinity and two United congregations (Atlantic-Garden City and Kildonan). Membership in NEST also extends to former refugees sponsored by NEST, and to any who have a desire to participate in NEST's quest: to welcome the stranger into our midst.

Since NEST's beginnings not long ago, we have sponsored over fifty refugees from four continents. These refugees have come from Afghanistan, Bosnia, El Salvador, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Kosovo, Nigeria, Romania, Somalia and Sudan. The length of this list, however, says less about any success on the part of NEST, and more about the need for the continued sponsorship and advocacy for displaced people.

"I was a stranger,

and you welcomed me....."

Matthew 25:35

NEST Stands for Community

NEST is truly a team effort. We meet on a regular basis not only to attend to business, but also to keep in touch with one another. An integral part of any given NEST meeting is the time we devote to sharing our experiences as primary care givers, as people newly arrived to Canada, and as friends. We also hold social events several times throughout the year where we can enjoy each others' company. We celebrate the Canadian winter with a day of outdoor activities. We also enjoy the gentler Canadian summers with an annual picnic. In the spring, NEST holds a Day of Reflection, a day-long retreat where we discuss issues important to refugee sponsorship, and where we share our stories and pray together. NEST also holds several potluck dinners and luncheons throughout the year hosted by the various congregations of NEST. These times of fellowship are open to the North End community, and to anyone wishing to learn more about NEST. Guest speakers provide an opportunity for education on issues related to refugees and refugee sponsorship. Song and dance groups of various ethnic backgrounds provide lively entertainment. And, of course, a NEST potluck dinner is pleasing to the palette offering a wide variety of dishes to sample.

NEST Stands for Friendships

Individual members of NEST volunteer to act as primary care givers for a particular refugee or refugee family. Responsibilities of primary care givers include: welcoming the refugees upon their arrival to Winnipeg, helping refugees adjust to life in Canada (how to shop, do banking, visit the doctor, get around the city), and maintaining a supportive relationship through visits and phone calls. Rewards include learning about different cultural customs and languages, tasting delicious cuisine, and most importantly, developing deep and lasting friendships. What is more, former refugees become active partners with NEST, offering their experience and friendship to other refugees.

Community, Friendship, Justice. . .

NEST Stands for Justice

"Refugee" is not a new concept. Throughout history, people have been displaced by oppressive governments, persecuted for their religious and political convictions, and victimized simply for being themselves. They have been forced from their homes, torn from their families and friends, and prohibited from following their way of life. As refugees, they found themselves in need of a new home, and another chance. The first generation of many Canadian families lived through such persecution, coming to Canada as refugees - Sadly, "refugee" is not a concept of the past. Today over 27 million people, a number approximately equal to the population of Canada, are displaced from their homes by "a well-founded fear of persecution, for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion and are unable, or, by reason of such fear, unwilling to return". (from the 1951 UN Convention on Refugees) Recognizing such persecution to be a gross injustice, NEST is committed to providing sanctuary in Canada for displaced peoples. We are inspired by the words of Christ who urged us to welcome the stranger, and to work for justice in the human family.

How You Can Stand Up for Refugees?

There are many ways to stand up for refugees and for justice. You can:

• Learn about refugee concerns by using the resources in your community.
• Raise the level of concern around you.
• Spend time with refugees, Share your talent; donate your services.
• Donate household goods.
• Support NEST financially by purchasing gas at Red River Co-op and quoting our number: 113110.
• Spread the word about NEST to others.

"Foxes have holes

and birds of the air have nests,

but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head."

Matthew 8:20