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World Refugee Day plans take shape across the United States
Cindy Vang (back) and her cousin Mary Vang offer a Hmong dance at a Celebration of Compassion sponsored by Opening Doors Inc. and the Interfaith Service Bureau in Sacramento, Calif., in observance of World Refugee Day 2005.
Photo: Opening Doors Inc.
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World Refugee Day is June 20, and Church World Service, participating denominations and their congregations, and CWS local refugee resettlement affiliate agencies are among the many sponsors of observances worldwide on or close to that date. Here are some examples:
CHICAGO, IL -- June 1-20. A June 20 musical bash at The Wild Hare, 3530 N. Clark St., will culminate a series of Chicago events celebrating refugees' presence in Chicago and remembering those who are still in camps or on the run.
Other events include the June 1 unveiling of the new Chicago Refugee Charter (1 p.m., Chicago Commission on Human Relations, 740 N. Sedgewick St.), a June 3 Pan African Fun Fest (4 p.m. to midnight, International House, University of Chicago, 1414 E. 59 th St.), a June 10-15 exhibition of the Refugee Charter (business hours, Federal Plaza, Adams and Dearborn), and, on June 16, a media briefing at City Hall and 8 p.m. screening of the film "The Refugee All Stars" at the AMC Esquire 6, 58 E. Oak Street.
On June 18, Thomas Albrecht, UNHCR Regional Representative for North America and the Caribbean, will be keynote speaker at a reception (3 to 5 p.m., Roosevelt University; reservations necessary). The events are cosponsored by several organizations, including Interfaith Refugee and Immigration Ministries, a CWS affiliate. Some details pending; visit www.WRDChicago.org.
BRISTOL, TN -- June 11, 11 a.m. Bridge Refugee and Sponsorship Services, Inc., in Bristol, Tenn., will celebrate World Refugee Day on June 11. "We'll mark the 15th anniversary of our partnership with First Presbyterian Church, which provides us with free office space along with financial and moral support," said Carolyn Miller, Resettlement Coordinator.
To thank the church, Miller has commissioned an original sculpture that represents the bowl and cloth Jesus used when he washed his disciples' feet -- a symbol of service. Bridge Refugee Services Director Richard Robinson will come from Knoxville to attend the service, Miller noted, "and members of my Advisory Board and our Executive Board will also participate in the program." First Presbyterian Church is at 707 Florida Ave. in Bristol.
DAYTON, OH -- June 11,10 and 11:15 a.m. Margy Patterson, who chairs the worship committee at United Christian Church, 8611 Hoke Road, Clayton, Ohio, spotted an announcement of the CWS World Refugee Day resources in a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) publication. The congregation will use the resources at its June 11 service, and Pastor Robert J. Thornton will deliver a sermon based on one of the Scripture selections.
AURORA, CO -- June 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. A naturalization ceremony, music, youth activities, crafts and ethnic food will be highlights of the World Refugee Day observance sponsored by the Colorado Refugee Network Council. Venue: Fletcher Plaza, 9898 E. Colfax, Aurora.
OMAHA, NE -- June 17, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Heartland Refugee Resettlement will hold a World Refugee Day event at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO), in the Milo Bail Student Center, 60th & Dodge St. The day's program will include a mock refugee camp and two film screenings ("Rain in a Dry Land" and "The Lost Boys of Sudan"), said Laura Green, Sponsorship Developer/Volunteer Coordinator.
Displays will include information and items from the African countries represented among Heartland's clients and from Omaha organizations that help refugees. There will be African food and entertainment, and a craft sale of items made by Heartland clients.
"Heartland is sending a mailing to Omaha congregations promoting the event and enclosing CWS resources," Green said. "We are receiving great support from UNO's Service Learning Academy, Omaha Public Schools, and Thrivent Financial for Lutherans. This is our first event, and we're very hopeful that it will be a great success."
GRAND RAPIDS, MI -- June 20, 6:30-9 p.m., an evening of cultural foods, dramas and stories. Venue: Grand Rapids International Fellowship, 3756 Kalamazoo S.E. Sponsored by PARA Refugee Services, Lutheran Social Services of Michigan, and the Catholic Human Development Organization, in honor of the courage and contributions of the world's refugees and the volunteers who welcome them to West Michigan.
The program will include an address from Senator Bill Hardiman, three refugee clients speaking about their experiences, Sudanese singers, Bosnian dancers, a skit about the Liberian experience, food, and displays of clients' photographs and craftsmanship.
COLUMBUS, OH, June 20, 2-4 p.m. -- Community Refugee & Immigration Services, the United Nations Association, and the Columbus Council on World Affairs will sponsor a World Refugee Day celebration. Venue: Kelton House, 586 E. Town Street. "We'll celebrate the contributions made by refugees to our local community, economy, and culture," said CRIS Sponsorship Developer Colleen Rosshirt. The program will include dance and song, free tasty treats and teas from local businesses, a silent auction, and testimonies from community leaders.
FORT WORTH, TX -- June 20, 6 p.m., "Around the World in 80 Minutes" World Refugee Day Bazaar, with music by shanon; food from five regions of the world, games and a silent auction. Proceeds will benefit the event's sponsor, Refugee Services of Texas. Venue: University Methodist Church, 2416 W. Berry St., Fort Worth.
NEW YORK, NY -- June 24, 1 to 4 p.m., citywide World Refugee Day celebration, Friends Meeting House, 15 Rutherford Place. Church World Service is among cosponsors of this event.
BACKGROUND:
World Refugee Day is designated by the United Nations General Assembly to recognize the plight, and celebrate the contributions, of refugees throughout the world. UNHCR, the U.N.'s refugee agency, has chosen "Hope" as the 2006 theme. Posters and other resources for planning observances are available at www.usaforunhcr.org.
RESOURCES FROM CHURCH WORLD SERVICE:
This year's congregational bulletin insert from CWS tells the story of refugees Buley Dure and her husband, Hassan Dayow, now living in Columbia, S.C., with their four daughters. It offers "Refugee Facts," the U.N. definition of "refugee," and information about the CWS Immigration and Refugee Program. The worship resource includes a call to worship, invocation, Scripture selections, and a benediction.
Both resources are available online and may be printed out in either black & white or color.
CWS and member denominations provide help and homes to refugees, and work to build a hospitable community in the United States for displaced people. Since 1946, CWS has helped more than 450,000 refugees begin new lives in the United States, and continues to resettle about 8,000 refugees and Cuban and Haitian entrants each year, with congregations and affiliate agencies providing services locally. In refugee camps in Africa and Asia, CWS provides health care and post-primary education through its Durable Solutions for Displaced People program, and spiritual care for immigrant detainees through its Religious Services Program.
Media Contacts
Lesley Crosson, (212) 870-2676, lcrosson@churchworldservice.org
Jan Dragin - 24/7 - (781) 925-1526, jdragin@gis.net
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