A U.K.-based Christian charity is calling on churches to prayerfully consider the needs of people living with avoidable blindness. Christian Blind Mission (CBM) Sunday, set for Oct. 12, follows World Sight Day on Oct. 9, an international awareness event that this year includes a global photo competition on eye health.
In a news release, CBM invited congregations to join in prayer and reflection, pointing to Genesis 1:1-4: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth… And God said, ‘Let there be light,’ and there was light. God saw that the light was good, and he separated the light from the darkness.”
“We hope your church will take part in this special day – a chance to remember those too often forgotten, celebrate God’s message of justice for all, and help raise vital funds for people living with sight loss in some of the world’s poorest communities,” the charity said.
A free resource pack is available for participating churches, including sermon outlines and prayer diaries. “All of our resources can be used at any time of year, too, so you can also choose a time that works for you,” the statement added. “Make this Christian Blind Mission Sunday a meaningful opportunity for your church to pray, reflect, and act in support of those living with sight loss around the world.”
World Sight Day, supported by CBM, is coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) and backed by more than 250 global member organizations. IAPB describes the day as an opportunity to draw attention to eye health as a global issue, raise awareness among communities, and encourage decision-makers to prioritize vision care initiatives.
This year also marks the 10th anniversary of the World Sight Day Photo Competition, open to participants worldwide until Oct. 16. Entrants are asked to submit images that capture what it means to “love your eyes” as part of IAPB’s #LoveYourEyes campaign. Judges will seek “powerful images that tell stories of sight, vision loss, and the transformative impact of eye care,” according to an IAPB release.
“The World Sight Day Photo Competition is not only about beautiful images, it’s about telling powerful stories that raise awareness of eye health,” said Courtenay Holden, IAPB’s head of communications and campaigns. “We are thrilled to welcome such a diverse panel of judges, bringing expertise from across eye health, photography, and media. Their perspectives will be invaluable in choosing this year’s winners, and we cannot wait to see the incredible images that the 10th anniversary competition will inspire.”
More information about the photo competition and how to participate is available here.
