Refugee Week is an incredible opportunity for the world to celebrate refugees and
people seeking asylum, while raising awareness and honouring people’s journeys to
freedom. The annual, global celebration was born right here in Australia and every
year, thousands of people come together to welcome the people in our communities
who have sought safety.
The theme this year is "Healing". We have a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to hit the
reset button on how we behave towards one another. The importance of human
connections has been highlighted by the pandemic and such lessons can help us in so
many ways. Mainstream and refugee communities alike can draw upon shared
hardship to heal wounds, to learn from each other and to move forward. Healing can
occur through storytelling, through community and also through realisation of our
interconnectedness as individuals. Storytelling is a powerful way for people to
connect and empathise with one another. Often, these two things go hand in hand, as
families, friends and communities break bread and catch up, or create new stories
together.
Refugee Week is a unique opportunity for us all to experience and celebrate the rich
diversity of our community. At St Paul’s we acknowledge that Diversity is our
Strength, and we are grateful to be part of such a culturally rich and diverse
community. Over the coming week, we pray for all refugee families:
Lord,
No one is a stranger to you
And no one is ever far from your loving care.
In your kindness watch over refugees and asylum seekers,
Those separated from their loved ones, those who are lost,
And those who have been exiled from their homes.
Bring them safely to the place where they long to be,
And help us always to show your kindness to strangers and those in need.
Amen.
