Refugee Sunday
“I was a stranger and you welcomed me,” Jesus says in Matthew 25:35.
World Refugee Day is marked on 20 June where we celebrate the courage and strength of refugees and displaced people. In the Anglican calendar, we set aside July 3 for Refugee Sunday. Christian World Services (CWS) have developed a great resource pack called ‘Welcome’ that includes a variety of worship resources we can use in our services.
This year we think about every person’s right to safety, at a time a staggering 100 million people have fled their homes. War and conflict uproot people from their homes and communities. Most end up in neighbouring communities or countries.
Each year some resettle in Aotearoa New Zealand. Since the first arrivals, churches have played a significant role in this process, and we have been privileged to be a part of the resettlement process. Earlier in the year we brought you a story about Patricia Cooper who has recently stepped down from coordinating refugee resettlement. Patricia has passionately overseen the collection and distribution of household goods for our movement and was often struck by the generosity of the people donating items. “It makes me feel happy that we are helping people resettle into new country, without even meeting the people we’re helping. In my mind I saw our volunteer teams going into a house and leaving it a home,” said Patricia.
With our help refugees and displaced people will get food, shelter, education, medical care and support.
Consider applying for one of our Volunteer Refugee Resettlement Coordinator roles.
Refugee Resettlement Household Goods Collection Coordinator - Volunteer
Refugee Resettlement Inventory Coordinator - Volunteer
Refugee Resettlement House Set-up Coordinator - VolunteerConsider volunteering on team that collects or sorts goods or sets up a household. Contact Gendy if you are interested.
On World Refugee Day, CWS launched Operation Refugee – a time to pray, walk and eat. You might like to organise a Gathering or a Walk to raise funds to support CWS partners on the frontline. Operation Refugee has everything you need from recipes, to videos and activities for individuals, churches and groups. It will run until 20 August 20, though you can plan to take part at a time that suits you. Check out the Kete of resources.
You may want to consider organising a special collection to support Operation Refugee. Donations mean CWS local partners can organise emergency assistance, education and healthcare for refugees.