Sunday, June 20, is World Refugee Day.

Who is a refugee? A person who is outside their country and cannot return due to well founded fear of persecution because of their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership of a particular group.

Grace’s Refugee Ministry team is working with RefugeeOne in Chicago to co-sponsor a family who will arrive in Chicago later this summer. RefugeeOne’s mission is to create opportunity for refugees to build new lives of safety, dignity, and self-reliance. Read more about how RefugeeOne supports families on the path to independence.

As co-sponsors of a refugee family, our responsibility is three-fold:

Raise support. We are responsible for raising $8,000-$12,000 to cover expenses (rent, bills and other needs) for 4-5 months as the family works toward self-reliance. You can make the biggest and most immediate impact on our Refugee Ministry with a monetary donation.

DONATE TO GRACE'S REFUGEE MINISTRY


Make a home. Women@Grace are organizing a sign-up for donating household and pantry items for the family. Stay tuned for more information about how you can help.

Be a friend. Members of the Refugee Ministry Team will stay in weekly contact with the family during their first six months in Chicago. And they’ll share news about the family with the Grace Church community.

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 25:35 that when we welcome the stranger, we welcome him. That is a powerful call to action as Together in Christ, we love, grow and serve!