Refugees are welcome
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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.
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‘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?
They 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
They 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
Refugees by 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.
Refugee Sunday Resources
The first Sunday in July is marked as Refugee Sunday in the Anglican Church and is a time to celebrate the contributions that refugees make, pray for their safety and offer our support. We have gathered some resources to help you learn, pray and serve your community. See more at Bible Explore
Lost Sheep
Jesus was a Refugee - get the book/graphics on the Lost Sheep website and you can watch the story being read here |
'We're only human' — a song for Refugee Sunday by Tom Read
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Reflective questions
- Do you know what a refugee is?
- Take some time together to research a definition that all ages can understand.
How many refugees do you think there are in the world? - Did you know that Jesus was a refugee?
- I wonder what it would be like to be a refugee?
- I wonder what we could do to help refugees?
Church Resources
- A video from We Welcome Refugees encouraging the church to respond
- Worship resources from CWS may help you profile Refugee Sunday in your worship services. Download here
- World Vision have some great ideas for a Refugee Sunday service, with Photos and images to use, refugee children profile cards, small group resources, background information for speakers.
- ForRefugees — a video about how the churches in Greece are responding to the crisis
- Refugee Highway resources
- World Vision is seeking to provide 'Child Friendly Spaces' for Syrian children, through their 40hour famine campaign and other fundraising.
Refugees in New Zealand
- New Zealand refugee strategy
- Bishop Justin Duckworth's article on New Zealand's response to the refugee crisis