World Refugee Day

World Refugee Day is June 20th

On June 20th, we invite you to commemorate World Refugee Day in a way that is most appropriate for your community and respects your relationships. Join the global chorus honoring those in refugee situations by:

• sharing the stories of refugees and their community partners and honoring the positive impact refugees have on U.S. communities; building understanding about the conflicts around the world that cause so many people to become internally displaced
• working to create welcome and safety in the United States; and
• expanding the welcome we extend to refugees and immigrants within our churches and in our communities.

We invite you to dedicate a Sunday worship service to focus on refugees and displaced persons. June 20th falls on a Thursday this year. Churches may choose Sunday June 16th or 23rd as the closest date, but any time in June is appropriate. Sunday, July 7 is Immigration Sunday in the PC(USA), another opportunity to honor and pray for refugees and immigrants. If your church is already connected to a refugee community, this is an opportunity to include them as guest speakers or perhaps share a musical offering. The Worship page includes videos that could be included in an online worship service.   

Throughout June, the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.), Church World Service, and other ecumenical and interfaith partners will be organizing events and sharing resources to honor refugees. Updates will be available through the PDA blog and Facebook page. 

You can be a voice for welcome all year long. Your voice is important: whether you are a former refugee or a member of a receiving community. The Advocate page will be updated throughout June as new advocacy alerts and resources are made available. There are even tips on how to visit your elected officials virtually! 

May this coverage of the 2023 WRD Online Prayer Vigil by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition be inspiration for what you can do in your community. 

Please join us in the spirit of welcome by recommitting this World Refugee Day to building a safe and equitable society, where refugees, asylum seekers, and people of all races and nationalities are welcome. #WeChooseWelcome