Sanctuary Sunday is the final Sunday in Refugee Week. This year it takes place on Sunday 25th June.
Here are some ideas and resources you could include in worship on Sanctuary Sunday.
Pray together
Could you pray our Sanctuary Sunday prayer, and join in with church communities across the UK? We’re inviting churches to join together in prayer by using the words below:
Holy God,
You are our refuge and our strength, an ever-present help in times of trouble. Thank you for your unconditional love and your unfailing hospitality.
On this Sanctuary Sunday, we rededicate ourselves to embody your compassion and commit to intentionally demonstrating neighbourly love to your children in need of sanctuary.
Teach us what it looks like to be the perfect host, to build bigger tables in our communities and to welcome and include those who are different from us.
We pray for all those who have been forced to flee their homes. Lord, keep them safe. Give them courage, resilience, and tangible hope. Guide their feet to people and places who will honour them and uphold their dignity.
Work in and through all those with the power to address the situations from which people have fled, whether war, famine, persecution, or climate change. Help us to understand what part we can play in alleviating the suffering of our neighbours.
In the face of hostility towards refugees and people seeking asylum, help us to model kindness, listening and compassion towards all human beings, even those with whom we disagree.
Keep us strong in our resolve to resist policies and structures that work against your Kingdom of compassion.
God, begin your work of restoration and hope in us.
Amen.
God Who Sees Me – Worship Resources
Scottish Faiths Action for Refugees have produced resources for Sanctuary Sunday, based on the Story of Hagar in the book of Genesis. The resources are a menu you can pick and choose from, including stories from refugees based in the UK.
Hymn Suggestions
Singing the Faith + have put together a list of suggested hymns and songs you could use on Sanctuary Sunday.