Refugee Sunday

As the number of refugees passes 26.4 million (2021), we are now more aware of displaced people more than ever. And with growing calls to increase the refugee quota here, the church has a great opportunity to extend grace, manaakitanga and love to refugees arriving in Aotearoa New Zealand.

‘When they had gone, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream. “Get up,” he said, “take the child and his mother and escape to Egypt. Stay there until I tell you, for Herod is going to search for the child to kill him.” So he got up, took the child and his mother during the night and left for Egypt.’
Matthew 2:13-14

Why do people become refugees?

People are forced to flee—from war and violence; from natural disasters; from religious persecution, political oppression, and ethnic injustice; from food crisis, drought, and famine. They have no choice but to leave behind their land, their homes, their belongings, and their sense of identity. They run in fear for their lives, either within their own country (internally displaced people) or to another country entirely (refugees). And the heaviest toll is felt by the children.
- World Vision

Refugee Numbers

Check out these most recent figures from the United Nations Refugee Agency (updated 1 July 2021)

82.4 million displaced people worldwide at the end of 2020, as a result of persecution, conflict, violence, human rights violations or events seriously disturbing public order.
48.0 million people are internally displaced
26.4 million are refugees
4.1 million were asylum seekers
68% originate from just five countries: Syrian Arab Republic, Venezuela, Afghanistan, South Sudan, Myanmar.
39% hosted in five countries: Turkey, Colombia, Pakistan, Uganda, Germany.
35 million refugees are children
1 million children were born as refugees
285,400 refugees returned or were resettled
86% are hosted in developing countries.
4.2 million stateless persons
73% hosted by neighbouring countries.

Operation Refugee

Christian World Service asking you to remember refugees and displaced people in your prayers on Refugee Sunday. As a member of ACT Alliance (Action by Churches Together), CWS is in touch with many local organisations working with them.
Christian World Service is challenging churches to join this year’s Operation Refugee. Individuals, teams or churches can eat from the Food Box equivalent refugee rations for five days, organise a banquet or feast or undertake a walking challenge. Funds raised will mean the Department of Service to Palestinian Refugees can help Syrian, Palestinian and other refugees with food, education and medical care in Jordan and Lebanon. Contact organiser, Eric Park to find out how you can take part: eric.park@cws.org.nz or phone 022 377 6606. Operation Refugee runs from June 20 to October 24.

Worship Resources

Worship resources from CWS may help you profile Refugee Sunday in your worship services. Download here

Lost Sheep
Jesus was a Refugee - get the book/graphics on the Lost Sheep website and you can watch the story being read here