A Uniting Church Minister has been honoured with an award for his commitment and service to refugees.

Rev. John Jegasothy is the recipient of the ‘Outstanding Australian, Serving Refugees’ award from the NSW Service for the Treatment for Rehabilitation of Torture & Trauma Survivors.

National Director of the UCA’s Multicultural and Cross-cultural Ministry, Rev. Tony Floyd, was delighted with the news.

“For many years John has played a significant role in multicultural and cross-cultural ministry in both the Synod of NSW/ACT and nationally,” said Rev. Floyd.

“He continues to contribute with energy and passion to those ministries. We are pleased and excited that John’s passion, commitment and perseverance have been recognised in this way.”

The award will be presented on 14 June, coinciding with the beginning of Refugee Week.

John said that he was humbled by the award and urged the international community to stand in solidarity with internally displaced people, asylum seekers and refugees, and work and pray for peace with justice and hope for the oppressed.

“It will be a good occasion for the people of the world to learn about the plight of refugees and internally displaced people, especially in the north of Sri Lanka where there is grave concern for the basic needs, health and safety of some 300,000 people,” said John.

The award for ‘Outstanding Australian, Serving Refugees’ will be held at 2.30pm, Sunday 14 June 2009, Pitt Street Uniting Church, Sydney.

For those wishing to support refugees and asylum seekers, a memorial service is being held on Sunday 21 June at the Dulwich Hill Uniting Church, 151 Constitution Road. All are welcome.