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New CWS resources for World Refugee Day 2007 feature resettlement

Keflome and Tesfome Wube are with friends
Northminster Presbyterian Church in Indianapolis, IN cosponsored the Wube family, from Eritrea. Here, Keflome and Tesfome Wube are with friends Alan Hill, left, and Michael Young. Photo: Josh Hill, Northminster Presbyterian Church
May 8, 2007

World Refugee Day is June 20, and Church World Service resources for 2007 are ready! A congregational bulletin insert and worship resource are available in two formats: PDF, and Word, to enable "co-branding" by denominations, churches, local resettlement agencies, and others.

In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly designated June 20 as World Refugee Day to recognize and celebrate the contribution of refugees throughout the world. Since then, World Refugee Day has become an annual commemoration marked by a variety of events in over a hundred countries.

This year's theme for World Refugee Day is "A New Home, a New Life," focusing on the United States' proud tradition of welcoming refugees and the many contributions they bring to towns and cities across America.

The United States continues to be the single largest refugee resettlement country in the world. In Fiscal Year 2006, 41,000 refugees were resettled to the United States. However, in many countries, refugees fleeing for their lives have very little to hope for and they will be remembered on World Refugee Day.

Church World Service and participating denominations work together to protect and assist uprooted people worldwide. CWS provides help and homes to refugees, resettling about 8,000 refugees and entrants in the United States every year. Congregations and affiliate agencies provide services locally.

Around the world, CWS helps meet the needs of people in protracted refugee situations through its Durable Solutions for Displaced Persons program. CWS also promotes policies and practices that support fairness, support, and welcome for the uprooted.

The CWS bulletin insert for World Refugee Day 2007 tells the story of the Wube family, who found a new home and a new life in Indianapolis, Indiana. The worship resource includes a call to worship, invocation, meditation outline, and benediction on the theme (Download both resources).

For United Nations resources, visit www.usaforunhcr.org.

Media Contact:
Lesley Crosson, CWS/New York, 212-870-2676;
Jan Dragin, 781-925-1526;

Back to most recent news releases Browse archive: 2005200620072008 Email this story Email

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