Freedom Sunday is being marked on 15 October 2017 by churches in the UK and Europe. It is an opportunity to build understanding of human trafficking, learn how to respond, and dedicate ourselves to prayer and advocacy to see the end of modern slavery and human trafficking around the world.
The Freedom Sunday resource has been developed, with sermon ideas, theological resources and prayers, as well as case studies and statistics to help your church find out more.
Churches across Europe are holding special services and events to mark the day and encourage their congregations to find out more about modern slavery and how they can make a difference.
For example, the Diocese of Derby in the UK are hosting a ‘Freedom Week’, from 15-22 October, with events and prayer vigils to raise awareness and commemorate modern slavery survivors. Talks and workshops will also consider the practical response to modern slavery and encourage action.
And Wells Cathedral, in the Diocese of Bath and Wells (Church of England), will be hosting two public events in partnership with The Clewer Initiative. The events will discuss the issue at a national and local level, and explore avenues for action.
The Clewer Initiative, which is a project to help the Church of England engage in fighting modern slavery, would love to hear how you have used this resource and how you are taking action. You can send your stories via the Freedom Sunday website at www.freedomsundayglobal.org. You can also join the Facebook page for news and updates.
In the UK and Europe, Sunday 15th October is the closest Sunday to the European Anti-Trafficking Day, which is on Wednesday 18th October 2017. But if that date doesn’t work for your church then you can use the materials on another day.
An international version of the resource in different languages will soon be available on the Anglican Alliance website as well. Around the world, churches use different national and international days to focus on the campaign to end modern slavery and human trafficking. The main issue is for churches across the Anglican Communion to engage in prayer, study and action to end this modern-day crime against humanity.
