The Neighbors Coalition program at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church will host a Service of Lament in observance of World Refugee Day at 5 p.m. Friday, June 27.

The United Nation designated June 20 as World Refugee Day in honor of the millions of refugees around the globe who have been forced to flee their homes. The program will consist of an interfaith service, led by the Rev. Luke Fodor and Sam Qadri, followed by an opportunity to write letters to local elected officials advocating for those who have been displaced both worldwide and locally. The service will take place at St. Luke’s, 410 N. Main St., Jamestown.

The United Nations has commemorated World Refugee Day on June 20 every year since 2001, the 50 -year anniversary of the 1951 Status of Refugees Convention.

Momina DiBlasio, New Neighbors Coalition program manager, said the local observance is important in light of the termination of the federal refugee resettlement program and travel bans on 12 different countries, and restrictions on an additional seven.

“Those from many of the listed nations have experienced or are currently experiencing life-threatening conditions worldwide. A significant number of those who have been resettled in recent years hail from these countries. This travel ban only makes the already difficult process of seeking safety even harder,” she said.

This event is free and open to the public. The interfaith service will take place in the St. Luke’s Chapel (assessable via the Courtyard), last about 35 minutes, with letter writing to follow in the Undercroft. Necessary materials for letter writing will be provided.

The New Neighbors Coalition is a community-based immigration support effort housed at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church and funded through a state Office of New American grant. For general inquiry, to volunteer and to stay connected, follow www.facebook.com/NewNeighborsCoalition, email Momina Di Blasio at momina@stlukesjamestown.org or call the St. Luke’s office at 716-483-6405.