Pattern Church in Swindon has started The Table, a weekly dinner for local Ukrainian arrivals and their host families, with the strapline ‘Eat together. Make friends. Support each other.’
In its first week, 79 people came to The Table, which included 40 Ukrainians, 25 hosts, and a team of Pattern Church volunteers. It’s held at Pattern Church every Tuesday, 5-7pm.
Tom Morgan, curate at Pattern Church, said: “We believe loving and serving those arriving in Swindon, from all nations, is part of our God-given mandate to reflect the love of Jesus Christ.”
In an interview with BBC Radio Wiltshire, he explained that the project is about bringing people together and building community.
“We’re exchanging ideas about the best way to do things and working with lots of other organisations across Swindon who are doing brilliant things. We’re also helping people who are feeling completely isolated, like they’re the only Ukrainians in town – there’s actually many other people in the same position as them.”
You can listen to the full interview here.
The Table builds on the church’s existing work with refugees in Swindon, including Farsi speakers. Tom points to Deuteronomy 10:19 as inspiration for this work: "And you are to love those who are foreigners, for you yourselves were foreigners in Egypt”. 
Pattern is partnering with a range of local organisations including Swindon Borough Council (SBC) and Swindon Welcomes Ukraine to support the Ukrainians arriving in the Swindon area. Growbaby Swindon, another Pattern Church ministry, provides Ukrainian families with baby clothing and essentials, and SBC comes to The Table with clothing for adults donated by the local community.
Come along to The Table every Tuesday, 5-7pm, to meet other recent arrivals from Ukraine and make new friends!
Email tom@patternchurch.org for more info.
Images: Bishop Lee and Sofiia Volovyk (2); Shirley Ludford, Deputy Lieutenant of Wiltshire, welcoming guests on behalf of HM The Queen (3). Credit Thom Hobbs 2022