19 June 2026 | St Albans, UK [Joe Philpott]
This coming Sabbath, 20 June, the Trans-European Division (TED) will mark World Refugee Sabbath with a special online programme, held in collaboration with the Inter-European Division (EUD) and ADRA Europe, to celebrate creativity, compassion and solidarity with people who have been forced to flee their homes. The Art Contest Awards Ceremony recognises participants who have used art to reflect on the experiences, dignity and resilience of refugees.
This year’s art contest theme, “Home / Shelter – A Place to Belong”, invited children, teenagers and young adults to explore what it means to feel safe, welcomed and valued. Participants were encouraged to express their understanding of home and shelter through art, including ideas of safety, welcome, shared spaces, belonging, peace, hope and new beginnings.
World Refugee Sabbath offers an opportunity for churches to pause, pray, and respond to the needs of millions of people worldwide affected by conflict, persecution, and crisis. Through this event, organisers hope to raise awareness, encourage empathy and celebrate the voices of young people and artists who have contributed to the contest.
Local church members can also mark World Refugee Sabbath in practical ways. They can pray for refugees and displaced families, learn more about the experiences of those forced to leave their homes, share the online ceremony with others, support their local ADRA office through volunteering or donations, and look for simple ways to make their churches places of friendship and belonging.
[Photos: ADRA Europe and ADRA Slovakia]
