February 1 churchwide webinar: The Episcopal Church Welcomes Refugees
Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are sponsoring an important webinar to discuss the basic root causes of refugee crises and to examine critical questions such as: who is a refugee; how a refugee is resettled to the U.S.; how resettled refugees benefit their communities; and how you can engage with local communities to welcome these new Americans.
The Episcopal Church Welcomes Refugees, a free, one-hour educational webinar, will be held on Wednesday, February 1 at 4 pm Eastern (3 pm Central/2 pm Mountain/1 pm Pacific/noon Alaska/11 am Hawaii).
“Every day, hundreds of community groups, churches, families and individuals work tirelessly to provide a place of safety for those who have had to flee their homes because of war, persecution, or other violence,” noted the Rev. Canon E. Mark Stevenson, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries. “The Episcopal Church’s ministry of refugee resettlement is rooted in our nation’s longstanding history of serving as a safe haven for those seeking freedom from oppression. With more than 23.1 million refugees around the world, it is now more important than ever for people of faith to continue this tradition.”
Leading the webinar will be Lacy Broemel, Episcopal Church Refugee and Immigration Policy Analyst, and Allison Duvall, Episcopal Migration Ministries Manager for Church Relations and Engagement.
Registration is required and is available here.
The webinar will be available on-demand following the event.
For more information, contact Broemel
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Episcopal Migration Ministries is the church’s foremost response to refugee crises. Working in partnership with offices and groups within the church as well as with governments, non-government organizations (NGOs), and a network of 30 affiliate offices in 26 dioceses, Episcopal Migration Ministries assures safe passage and provides vital services for thousands of refugee families upon their arrival in America: English language and cultural orientation classes, employment services, school enrollment, and initial assistance with housing and transportation. For each family, the goal is self-reliance and self-determination. After years of living in limbo, thanks to Episcopal Migration Ministries, refugees now have the opportunity to begin again on a strong foundation that honors their stories and dignity.
Office of Government Relations
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations (OGR) represents the priorities of the Episcopal Church to the policy community in Washington, D.C. Through engaging Congress, the Administration, and U.S. government departments and agencies, the Office of Government Relations aims to shape and influence policy on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. Advocacy priorities of the Office of Government Relations include refugees and immigration, environmental stewardship, and international development and conflict. Through the Episcopal Public Policy Network, the Office of Government Relations strives to equip Episcopalians to become advocates themselves on these critical issues.
http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/
