Loving the Newcomer: What Does It Look Like?

By Brian Seim

Early this morning, I drove through our church’s neighbourhood, praying for it. Then, I walked into Starbucks, made my order and went to find a lid for my cup. A young immigrant lady, obviously not an employee, greeted me and asked, “What are you doing today?” I greeted her. She was lonely—in a sense of community loneliness—needed to talk, to have real human contact—be part of something.

So I responded with care, “… guess, I’ll be writing.” “You mean?” She mimed cursive writing. “More like this,” I replied, mimicking typing, “but yes….” She smiled, her eyes lit up. “What will you write about?” She asked.

What would she understand?  In careful phrases I said, “Well, it’s about immigrants, …living here in Canada …trying to fit into community. As you know, it’s sometimes difficult.”

She was transparently bitter. “So, you’re going to write about ‘us’ immigrants?”

I answered, “Yes, but I’m an immigrant too. I’ve walked through the differences, tried to fit in, make sense in a new culture. That’s one reason why I write about it—to bring understanding.” She smiled again. We chatted pleasantly for a bit more and I finally said goodbye. But as I left, I realized several lessons I’d just learned. First, I’d just had a Jesus moment. ‘…I was a stranger and you invited me in.’ (Matt 25:35; NIV). Second, God doesn’t waste our experiences. The only answer that I could have given her, in order to continue, was, “I’m an immigrant too…”

Third, I realized once again that my PhD topic, while being important for the church, is really to help bring good news and welcome for struggling immigrants and lonely people seeking community in this complex world. It is such a privilege (and was a pleasant surprise to see how I fit into the academic environment) to begin work on this thesis: ‘How do churches adapt their welcome to include diverse neighbours (practice the Great Commandments)’. I can’t solve all the problems in the world, or even Toronto, but wherever I am and what I do must reflect Jesus, of whom it was prophesied,

The people walking in darkness have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned…. For to us a child is born, to us a son is given 
—Isaiah 9:2,6 (NIV)