Church of Ireland observes World Refugee Week and Sanctuary Sunday
[Church of Ireland] During Refugee Week (June 16-22), Church of Ireland churches have been invited to build a culture of welcome, hospitality and safety for refugees, by marking this year’s World Refugee Day on June 20 and Sanctuary Sunday on June 22.
Churches also are encouraged to use the “Our church welcomes refugees” video on their social media channels, through local schools and parish organizations, or at Sunday services.
The video highlights stories from Church of Ireland churches and related ministries on how they welcome and integrate refugees. It includes interviews with Helen Livingstone and David Maganda from All Nations Ministries in Belfast, and the Rev. Abigail Sines and Naomi Masheti from the Carraig Centre and Cork Migrant Centre. It seeks to inspire and encourage local churches to support refugees not only in this year’s Refugee Week but at any time throughout the year.
The video was produced by Pelumi Adewuyi for the Primate’s Reference Group on Ethnic Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Justice, and the project was funded by the Church of Ireland Priorities Fund.
June 20 marks the annual United Nations World Refugee Day. Refugee Week has developed around the world to honor people who have been forced to flee, primarily through the medium of arts and culture.
Sanctuary Sunday is marked at the end of Refugee Week and aims to promote the Church of Sanctuary program, which has been developed by the former President of the British Methodist Conference, the Rev. Inderjit Bhogal. This year’s theme is “Sanctuary: The Hospitality of Host, Guest and Stranger.”
Liturgical resources for Sanctuary Sunday are available here.
