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Churches Urged to Mark Refugee Sunday

Monday May 31 2021


The Church of Scotland and partners have produced a range of resources and events to help congregations remember refugees throughout the month of June.

The churches are encouraging members to mark Sanctuary Sunday – also known as Refugee Sunday - on June 20, and the whole of Refugee Week (June 14-20).

The Church of Scotland’s Weekly Worship materials for June 20 are based on the Sanctuary Sunday theme, with personal stories combined with suggestions for suitable bible passages, sermon and music. The materials have all been written by people who have been forced to flee their home countries, or by people working with asylum seekers and refugees in Scotland.

In addition, video resources including a full online service will be available on the Church of Scotland’s YouTube channel this week.

There will also be a series of three online Bible studies over the next three weeks based around God With Us, a joint worship resource created in partnership with Churches Together Britain and Ireland. You can download the resource here. The three online events are:

Part 1: God with us... in diversity: Thursday June 3, 7.30–8.30pm

Part 2: God with us... in vulnerability: Wednesday June 9, 7.30–8.30pm

Part 3: God with us... in strangers: Monday June 14, 8–9pm

Finally, the Society of Friends (Quakers) in Scotland are inviting all churches to join an initiative called ‘We Cannot Walk Alone’, inviting congregations to craft chains of people and hang them on doors and gates to symbolise welcome.

Sabine Chalmers, co-ordinator of Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees, said: “There are more displaced people in the world today than at any other point in history and the Bible is clear in its expression of God’s loving concern for the stranger and refugee.

“Celebrating Sanctuary Sunday is an opportunity to express our prayers and solidarity, but also to raise awareness again of our Christian calling to welcome the stranger and do this openly and proudly.”


June's Life and Work is out now! Order or download here.


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