Host a Refugee Sunday

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Why a Refugee Sunday?

On April 4, Refugee Rights Day in Canada, the acting primate, Archbishop Anne Germond, issued an invitation to dioceses across the country to mark a Refugee Sunday at some point in the year.

In an already busy church calendar, why hold a Refugee Sunday? Read more.

Refugee Sunday 2025

Each April 4, Canada observes Refugee Rights Day, established to commemorate the “Singh decision.” What, you may well ask, was the “Singh decision?” On April 4, 1985, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects the right of refugee claimants in Canada to life, liberty and security of the person, and that claimants are therefore entitled to an oral hearing, in accordance with the principles of fundamental justice and international law. The ruling was named for Harbhajan Singh, Sadhu Singh Thandi, Paramjit Singh Mann, Kewal Singh, Charanjit Singh Gill, Indrani and Satnam Singh, six refugee claimants who brought their cases to the Court. Among the lead intervenors in the case before the Supreme Court was the Canadian Council of Churches.

This year marks the 40^th anniversary of that historic legal decision, that tested Canada’s relatively new Charter of Rights and Freedoms which had been developed as part of the patriation of our constitution from the U.K. in 1982. It opened the way for other legal cases and transformed Canada’s refugee determination system in many positive ways. As with the response to the “Boat People” crisis of 1979 that saw people of faith “welcome the stranger” – thus helping to establish, the Private Refugee Sponsorship Program – the churches were at the forefront of defending the rights of all “persons” who found their way to Canada.

For the second year, Alongside Hope (formerly PWRDF) is inviting dioceses and parishes across the country to mark a Refugee Sunday at a time in the year of their choosing. You are invited to do so as the global numbers of refugees and internally displaced persons (IDPs) continues to both increase and be at historic highs. It also comes at a time when borders are closing and support is being withdrawn for those seeking “life, liberty and the security of the person.”

And thank you for all the ways in which you “welcome the stranger.”

• Alongside Hope’s 65-year commitment to supporting refugees
• Refugee Sponsorship in Canada – FAQ
• Worship Resources
• Newcomer and Indigenous Allyship
• A brief overview of refugee sponsorship and the Anglican Church of Canada (Powerpoint)
• Sample bulletin announcement and graphic for parishes
• Landscape for Refugee Sponsorships in 2025 graphic
• Ideas to Inspire Your Refugee Sunday 2025

Thank you to AURA (Anglican United Refugee Association) and the Diocese of Toronto for providing information on many of the resources listed above.

Please be welcome to use the resources on this page as works best for you. And if you do, please let us know how you use them by contacting Suzanne Rumsey, Alongside Hope’s Public Engagement Program Coordinator at srumsey@alongsidehope.org