by Anne Curtis
“.....I was a stranger, and you took me in.” These words from Matthew 25:35 took on renewed meaning in the spring of l998 when our rector, the Rev. David Bateman, responded to a call from Bridge Refugee Services asking if the members of St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, would be interested in sponsoring a third Bosnian family. (We had assisted in the resettlement of two Bosnian families in the summer of l997.)

Imagine leaving your country, torn apart by war, to travel to a new land where you would have no job, very little money and no command of the language. This was the challenge facing the Fermic family when they left Germany, where they had been living in for several years, to begin a new life in Chattanooga.

Our church members welcomed this opportunity, previously having had a positive experience with the first two Bosnian families. We were called upon to assist Bridge, in advance of the family’s arrival, primarily with the collection of household furnishings and supplies. These needs were made known among our church family through weekly newsletters, Sunday bulletins and telephone calls. The response was excellent.

The fun really began after we met the family at the airport upon their arrival in Chattanooga. One church member, an elementary school librarian, tutored the younger daughter, age 4, during the summer, in preparation for her entering prekindergarten.

The Fermic family was very appreciative of our kindness, our generosity of time and spirit - everything.

Later they invited us to their home for a typical Bosnian meal. We tried to be sensitive to their customs, which included removing our shoes upon entering their home. Everything went well until it was time to leave. One of our group had worn some tight fitting loafers and couldn’t get them back on his feet. His struggle to do so was good for some laughs. He finally left in stocking feet with shoes in hand!

St. Thaddeus has since been called upon to provide transportation for other refugees who live in the same apartment complex as “our family.” We have several church members, including some retired men, who enjoy the opportunity to help as well as make new friends. These men, as well as some men from St. Peter have helped pickup and deliver furniture donated by folks all over Chattanooga.
We feel that refugee resettlement is a win-win situation. Any church or organization that seeks to strengthen its sense of community and purpose should consider a partnership with Bridge Refugee Services.

On behalf of all staff, all three Advisory Boards and the Executive Board in Knoxville, Bridge wishes to recognize and say a huge thank-you to the following churches which helped with refugee resettlement in l998: St. Paul, Kingsport; Good Samaritan, St. Elizabeth and St. James, in the Knoxville area; Christ Episcopal, Church of the Good Shepherd, Grace Episcopal, St. Alban, St. Martin, St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Timothy in the Chattanooga area; and St. Luke, in Cleveland. Last, but not least, a huge thank you to Larry Beach, St. James, Knoxville, for joining the Executive Board; to Chuck Carpenter, St. Thaddeus, for serving on both the Chattanooga Advisory Board and the Executive Board; and to Ann Swint who serves on the Chattanooga Advisory Board, the Grace Church Outreach Committee and the Vestry.

Anne Curtis works with Bridge Refugee Services in Chattanooga. Chuck Carpenter and Judy Short, St. Thaddeus, Chattanooga, contributed to this article.

Does Your Parish Want to Help?

To learn more about Bridge Refugee Services, an affiliate of the Episcopal Migration Ministries, contact Carolyn Miller, in the Tri-Cities (423-652-1588); Jennifer Searle, Interim Executive Director, in Knoxville at (423-540-1311); or Anne Curtis, in Chattanooga, at (423-624-2710).