Immigration is a hot topic. It galvanizes opinions quickly. Just now we are faced with images on the news of people literally risking their lives in the Mediterranean to find a better life.

Most if not all immigrants are people seeking a better life because the life they have in their ‘home’ country is not sustainable or dangerous. It takes courage to leave and go to another place.

The Bible in the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament make it very clear that we are to care for the alien or stranger. That does not mean we should have an open border and no controls. But we may need to check our attitude towards those who come seeking a better life.

At present Great Britain is the only European nation that detains many immigrants in centres for undefined periods of time, like Yarlswood near Bedford. These are not pleasant places. It is inhumane to detain families in these circumstances and without any end date.

This coming week is one of those weeks - Refugee Week (information online at www.refugeeweek.org.uk). It is a good time to reflect both on the call to love our neighbours and that our neighbours are 'global'. The theme this year for Refugee Week is celebrating refugees - for all they bring to us and their resilience.

The majority who do settle in our country end up making a positive contribution socially and economically.

This coming week, let’s consider our attitude and treatment of these people we call refugees and immigrants