Refugee Resources
No one is a refugee by choice.
Refugees are forced to flee their homes out of fear for their lives and liberty
The Presbyterian Church in Canada supports uprooted persons as a response to Christ's call to love our neighbour. As a sponsorship agreement holder with the Government of Canada, the PCC authorizes congregations to sponsor refugees. Presbyterian World Service & Development supports refugees in other countries by providing basic needs to uprooted people in refugee camps and camps for internally displaced persons. When situations stabilize, PWS&D helps those who can return home to rebuild their lives. Mary Gorombey, a PCC International Ministries staff person supported by Presbyterians Sharing, is working with the Hungarian Reformed Church to support refugees being settled in Hungary. Action Réfugiés Montréal, in partnership with the Presbytery of Montreal, and funds from Presbyterians Sharing, helps groups sponsor refugee and supports refugee claimants. Justice Ministries and the International Affairs Committee have often brought refugee issues to General Assembly for advocacy action.
Print Resources
Partners 2009: Welcoming Refugee Friends to Canada
This study introduces children and youth to the concept of refugees through five stories of real refugee young people and their families. The study will help leaders and children better understand what it means to become a refugee. Download it or order it from the Book Room for $10.
Making Connections 2010-2012: Staying Rooted in an Uprooted World
The Bible is full of stories about people on the move, both by choice and without choice. This study looks at what Scripture has to say about people who are unjustly uprooted, a reality many people face today. Using real life stories from refugee ministries supported by The Presbyterian Church in Canada, participants will both explore God's call to welcome the stranger and address the underlying causes forcing people to be unjustly uprooted. Download it or order it from the Book Room for $12, or $10 if purchased with the children's study.
Children fly kites in a refugee camp in Sudan.
Gifts of Change
Support for Refugees
PWS&D aids displaced people around the world through the provision of food, shelter, education and emotional support for those living in refugee camps and helps those who return home rebuild their lives with dignity.
$20 provides medication and nutritional supplements for a malnourished refugee child for six months.
Help a Refugee Find Safety and Support (Montreal, Quebec)
Action Réfugiés Montréal (ARM) in downtown Montreal works in solidarity with refugees and refugee claimants by matching vulnerable refugee women with volunteers, facilitating the private sponsorship of refugees to Canada, and visiting people held in an immigration detention centre near Montreal. Welcome a refugee.
$40 buys one month of telephone cards for people in detention.
Bring Hope to Young Girls in Afghanistan
Conflict and poverty are a daily reality for many people in developing nations. And sadly, it is the innocent victims of war who suffer the most. PWS&D is working to help create new futures for people in places like Afghanistan, where an innovative new program is helping young girls by providing opportunities for education.
$106 sends a girl in Afghanistan to school for one year.
Photo Gallery
Instructions for downloading images and captions
- To view the slideshow in full-screen mode, click on the four arrows in the bottom right corner after pressing the play button.
- To read captions, click on "Show Info" along the top black bar in full-screen mode.
- To download the images, click on the word "flickr" in the top left corner. This will open a new window where you will see all the images. Click on the image you wish to download. Just under the title of the picture click on the
button. Select the large size and click on "Download the large size." Save the image to your computer.
Video
Carly is forced to flee from her home, and sets about looking for a new place to live where she will be welcomed and feel safe, even if she is different from others.
Mary Gorombey
Mary Gorombey, a Presbyterian Church in Canada international ministries staff, talks about her experiences working with refugees in Hungary. Mary is supported with gifts to Presbyterians Sharing.
Action Réfugiés Montréal
Learn about the impact that Action Réfugiés Montréal is having as it works with refugees and refugee claimants with support from Presbyterians Sharing. Hear how one woman’s life was transformed with Action Réfugiés’s help.
Refugee Sponsorship
How The PCC is helping
International law defines refugees as people who are unable or unwilling to return to their countries because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on their race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or belonging to a particular social group. What international law does not describe is the sheer courage and hope that characterize most refugees, wherever they are.
Learn more about how refugees are sponsored to come to Canada through the Presbyterian Church in Canada and Presbyterian congregations.
"For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me." - Matthew 25:35