Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has released a video of nearly two minutes that recounts the history of Episcopal Migration Ministries and urges Episcopalians to keep the work alive. “In the name of Mary, Joseph and the Lord Jesus, aid all refugees today, for most of the refugees like the Holy Family themselves, are families, and most are children,” Bishop Curry says in his World Refugee Day Message. “I invite you to observe June 20 as World Refugee Day to learn more about the crisis and to find ways that you can both pray and help in other ways.”
In 2000, the United Nations named June 20 as World Refugee Day, calling it an annual opportunity to celebrate the resilience and success of former refugees who bless our communities with their wisdom and irrepressible spirit, and to examine the root causes of violence and persecution that force people to flee at an alarming rate.
Episcopal Migration Ministries is a ministry of the Episcopal Church, and is one of nine national agencies that work in partnership with the government to resettle refugees in the United States. Episcopal Migration Ministries currently has 31 affiliate offices in 23 states.
Episcopal Migration Ministries toolkit
Episcopal Migration Ministries has prepared a comprehensive toolkit, located here, with ideas and guides for individuals and congregations to observe World Refugee Day on June 20.
In 2017, World Refugee Day falls within the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, and one of the toolkit items provides ways to host an Interfaith Panel Discussion & Prayer for refugees followed by an Iftar meal.
“Faith is one of the primary drivers for many involved in the important work of refugee resettlement,” said the Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, director of Episcopal Migration Ministries. “We hope, by gathering members of and in communities across this land to eat together and share aspects of their own particular faith traditions regarding welcoming, that we can deepen our relationships and inspire even greater ministry on the local level.”
Resources
- Host a #StandTogether Interfaith Conversation, Prayer and Dinner in honor of World Refugee Day, resources.
- Start a conversation in your congregation and community about how you can be involved in this life-saving work with the World Refugee Day bulletin.
- Join the Episcopal Public Policy Network to learn more about how you can work with local and elected leaders to support refugees.
Matthew Townsend is a Halifax-based freelance journalist and volunteer advocate for survivors of sexual misconduct in Anglican settings. He served as editor of the Anglican Journal from 2019 to 2021 and communications missioner for the Anglican Diocese of Quebec from 2019 to 2022. He and his wife recently entered catechism class in the Orthodox Church in America.
