It’s Refugee Week 2024 (17-23 June) and this year's theme is centred around ‘Our Home’ - encouraging us to consider what true ‘home’ looks like and how we can create welcoming, safe and sustainable places for all.
From the places we gather to share meals and the journeys we’ve made, to our collective home here on planet earth: everyone is invited to celebrate what our Our Home means to them.
Moses Ali, a member of one of our Intercultural Worshipping Communities, says: “Home is more than just a place; it's a sanctuary where we feel safe, loved and accepted. The church has a vital role helping asylum seekers and refugees feel at home. We can offer a welcoming environment, practical support and a sense of belonging.”
Our Intercultural Worshipping Communities team have produced a video featuring Moses, along with IWC members Kikeloma and Amir, who worship in the diocese, and who all have experience of the UK asylum system:
Jessie Tang, our Intercultural Ministry Director, says: “It is important to mark Refugee Week, especially when we think about our intercultural and reconciling priorities, and our role as Christians to challenge the negative stereotypes and celebrate the contributions of refugees and people seeking sanctuary. God calls us to love our neighbours and we can do this in word and in deed.”
Take part in Refugee Week
Refugee Week is an opportunity for us all to consider what we could you do to stand with refugees.
Visit the Refugee Week website for a wide range of simple ideas to get you started: refugeeweek.org.uk
Connect with the stories of refugees at Refugee Roots: refugeeroots.org.uk
Visit the Red Cross for more information and statistics: redcross.org.uk
And if you'd like to engage as a church, Welcome Churches offer a range of resources and ideas, including holding a Refugee Sunday in June: welcomechurches.org
Leicester City of Sanctuary Exhibition – ‘Everyone Welcome’
As well as shedding light on the issues facing refugees, Refugee Week celebrates the contributions, creativity and resilience of refugees and people seeking sanctuary.
Local support service, Leicester City of Sanctuary, is currently holding an exhibition at Leicester Museum & Art Gallery.
Everyone Welcome features artwork created by asylum seekers and refugees from the City of Sanctuary’s creative activity sessions and textiles group.
The exhibition is free to view and runs from now until the end of October.
Leicester museum itself is one of just four in the UK which has been awarded the prestigious Museum of Sanctuary Award for its welcome towards all people who are seeking refuge. See the museum website for details.