The Hometown podcast features interviews with people resettled to the U.S. as refugees, history and background on refugee-producing countries, interviews with authors, information about asylum and immigration detention in the U.S., examinations of topics within the immigration landscape, and spiritual reflections from lay and clergy across the Church. In addition, episodes include advocacy and policy updates on a wide variety of issues, webinar recordings, and opportunities to get involved in the ministry of welcome.
Do you have a story to tell? Would you like to be an interview guest, reflection author, or background expert on the podcast? Let us know!
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Blessings & Lessons: Rev. Chris McNabb on the Joy and Journey of the Neighbor to Neighbor Program
EMMRefugees · Blessings & Lessons: Rev. Chris McNabb on the Joy and Journey of the Neighbor to Neighbor Program On this episode, we speak with Rev. Chris McNabb, the Program Officer for Recruitment & [...]
Reflections on the Journey of Community Sponsorship with St. John’s Norwood in Bethesda, M.D.
EMMRefugees · Reflections on the Journey of Community Sponsorship with St. John's Norwood in Bethesda, MD. On this episode of HomeTown, we speak with members of Neighbor to Neighbor's own St. John's Norwood Sponsor [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Episode 6 – Better Together: Three Episcopal Churches Circle Up in Tri-Parish Sponsor Circle
EMMRefugees · Better Together: Three Episcopal Churches Circle Up in Tri-Parish Sponsor Circle In this episode of HomeTown, we speak with members of Neighbor to Neighbor's own Tri-Parish Sponsor Circle team. This Sponsor Circle [...]
Sponsor Circles Representing EMM & The Episcopal Church Lead the Way in Welcoming Our Newest Neighbors
Read The New Yorker story featuring interviews with Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Sponsor Circles discussing their experience with community sponsorship! To start the discernment process to see how you are called to this work, visit: [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Episode 5 – Sponsorship 101: Pathways to Welcome
EMMRefugees · Sponsorship 101: Pathways to Welcome On this episode of HomeTown, we are joined by some of our very own Episcopal Migration Ministries team members, Allison Duvall and Zoë Bayer, who will help [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Episode 4 – Empowering Refugee Women Through Art
EMMRefugees · Empowering Refugee Women Through Art In this episode recorded on International Women's Day, we spoke with some special guests from Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston about their Women Refugee Art Program (WRAP), [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Episode 3 – Partners in Sponsorship: Local Churches Link Up for Community Sponsorship
EMMRefugees · Partners in Sponsorship: Local Churches Link Up for Community Sponsorship Today's episode features a conversation with several members of the St. Matthew's & St. Andrews Pentecost Partnership Committee, a joint effort between [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Episode 2 – Sponsoring Welcome: A Conversation About Neighbor to Neighbor & Community Sponsorship with Fr. Chris McNabb
EMMRefugees · Sponsoring Welcome: A Conversation About Neighbor to Neighbor & Community Sponsorship Today's episode features a conversation with Fr. Chris McNabb, the Program Manager of EMM's new Neighbor to Neighbor program initiative, to discuss [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Episode 1 – Welcoming Afghans: EMM’s Neighbor to Neighbor Program
EMMRefugees · Welcoming Afghans: EMM's Neighbor to Neighbor Program Today's episode features a recording from the Thursday, Jan. 20th webinar hosted by EMM called: "Welcoming Afghans: EMM's Neighbor to Neighbor Program", where we join [...]
HomeTown Season 6 Trailer
EMMRefugees · Season 6 Trailer Join us this spring and summer for Season 6 of HomeTown, where we zoom in on EMM's newest ministry of welcome program, called Neighbor to Neighbor. We'll hear the [...]
Repairing the Breach: Building Beloved Community Through Welcome
EMMRefugees · Repairing the Breach: Building Beloved Community Through Welcome Today's episode features a recording from the June 10 panel discussion hosted by EMM. The discussion highlighted the work to rebuild the refugee resettlement [...]
Welcoming our Newest Neighbors: How Americans and the Episcopal Church Integrate Refugees into Their Communities
EMMRefugees · Welcoming our Newest Neighbors Today's episode features a recording of the June 1 webinar hosted by Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations - Welcoming our Newest Neighbors: [...]
Reflecting on The Geneva Convention: The State of Global Refugee Trends and Refugee Policy Today
EMMRefugees · Reflecting on The Geneva Convention: The State of Global Refugee Trends and Refugee Policy Today Today's episode features the recording of Reflecting on The Geneva Convention: The State of Global Refugee Trends [...]
A Christmas Reflection by Presiding Bishop Michael Curry
Today’s reflection comes from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th and current presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church. Transcript of the episode. Thank you for joining us for Season 4 of the Hometown [...]
Fourth Sunday of Advent: A Reflection from Ana Reza
Fourth Sunday of Advent Reflection by Ana Reza On the fourth Sunday of Advent we get closer to the celebration of the birth of Christ. The birth is our Salvation & Truth. In a time [...]
Third Sunday of Advent: A Reflection from Thomas Diaz
Thomas Diaz (he/him) is a 5th generation Angeleno. Thomas is from the diocese of Los Angeles and his home parish is All Saints Church, Pasadena.
Second Sunday of Advent: A Reflection from The Rev. Anna Page
Second Sunday of Advent Reflection by The Rev. Anna Page “God in the Wilderness” (Mark 1:1-8) Many people of faith have equated our COVID-19 environment to being “in the wilderness” – a location characterized by [...]
First Sunday of Advent: A Reflection from Rushad Thomas
First Sunday of Advent EMM Reflection by Rushad Thomas "And what I say to you I say to all: Keep awake." Mark 13:37 Because Advent is a season of preparation for our celebration of [...]
What Did We Do For Our Faith?
Today’s episode of Hometown features an interview with Ben, a pastor, evangelist and asylee from Nigeria. He lives in the Southeast United States and was granted asylum in 2020. We also speak with the [...]
Walking with Asylum Seekers: Ministry Opportunities for Congregations
Today’s episode features the recording of Walking with Asylum Seekers: Ministry Opportunities for Congregations, the first of a three-part virtual training series offered in partnership with The Evangelical Lutheran Church of America’s AMMPARO program and [...]
An Interview with Rio Grande Borderland Ministries (RGBM)
Hometown Season 4, Episode 2 features our interview with The Rev. Mike Wallens, co-chair of the Rio Grande Borderland Ministries (RGBM) for the Diocese of the Rio Grande, and Nellie Fagan, project coordinator for Rio [...]
An Interview with Jessica Goudeau
Today's interview is with Jessica Goudeau, author of After the Last Border: Two Families and the Story of Refuge in America. Goudeau has written for The New York Times, The Atlantic, Washington Post, Los Angeles [...]
Hometown Podcast: Season 4 Trailer
EMMRefugees · Season 4 Trailer
Love God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Action on Asylum
Today's episode is a webinar recording of Love God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Action on Asylum, an overview of asylum in the United States, information about the new rule proposed, a panel conversation with our guests, [...]
Love God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Action on Resettlement
Today’s episode is a recording from the June 16 webinar – Episcopal Action on Resettlement Week. Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are hosting a three-part webinar series – Love [...]
Love God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Action on DACA
Today's episode is a recording from the June 9 webinar - Episcopal Action on DACA Week. Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations are hosting a three-part webinar series - Love [...]
Virtual Book Club Kits
Today's episode features an introduction to EMM's new Partners in Welcome virtual book club discussion kits. This new resource includes: Instructions on how to hold a virtual book club Book recommendations with book and author [...]
An Interview with Wendy Pearlman
Today's episode features an interview with Wendy Pearlman, author of We Crossed A Bridge and It Trembled: Voices from Syria. Pick up a copy at your local library or bookstore. Transcript of the interview: DOCX [...]
An Interview with Dina Nayeri
Today's episode features an interview with Dina Nayeri, author of The Ungrateful Refugee, our October Partners in Welcome book club read. Her essay of the same name was one of the most widely shared 2017 [...]
EMM Immigration Policy Update: State of Play
Today’s episode features a recording from the Tuesday, January 28 webinar hosted by EMM called Immigration Policy Update: State of Play. Rushad Thomas, migration policy advisor in The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, discusses [...]
Welcome to Season Three!
Today's episode features an introduction to what listeners can expect in Season 3 of Hometown. We have a busy schedule of webinars, workshops, resources, and educational offerings. Be sure to sign up to be a [...]
Fourth Sunday of Advent: a reflection from The Rev. Deacon Leeann Culbreath
The Rev. Deacon Leeann Culbreath is a deacon in the Diocese of Georgia and a founding leader of South Georgia Immigrant Support Network, a humanitarian non-profit supporting individuals and families impacted by immigrant detention through hospitality, visitation, pen pal, post-release, [...]
“Creating space for Grace” – an Advent reflection from The Rev. Ranjit Mathews
Today’s Advent reflection comes from The Rev. Ranjit Mathews, the 22nd Rector of St. James Episcopal Church, in New London, CT. He has served in this capacity for the past two and half years. He [...]
“You did it to me”: An Advent reflection from Rushad Thomas
A native of Central Florida, Mr. Thomas brings a passion for the Gospel of Welcome to his new role as OGR’s Immigration and Refugee Policy Advisor. After working for three years on civic education and [...]
First Sunday of Advent: a reflection from Tatiana Hoecker
After completing a Master’s in International Development in Barcelona, Spain, Tatiana currently works as a Consultant for Global Partnerships with The Episcopal Church. She’s been involved with mission work for the last 12 years in [...]
What now? Building Partnerships for a Changing Refugee Ministry
Today’s episode is a recording from a recent virtual workshop called What now? Building Partnerships for a Changing Refugee Ministry. Unlike the webinars we have previously shared, this is a virtual workshop which is intended [...]
Angels Unaware: A Migration Policy Update
This episode is recorded audio from a recent webinar featuring an update from Policy Advisor Rushad Thomas from The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations. Rushad provides an overview of the migration policy landscape on [...]
Asset-Based Community Development 201: The Story of Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte
Today’s podcast episode is the edited audio from a recent virtual workshop called Asset-Based Community Development 201: The Story of Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte. Galilee Ministries of East Charlotte is a ministry of the [...]
U.S. Immigration Basics
This episode features audio from a recent webinar EMM hosted called U.S. Immigration Basics. Our webinar host is Alyson Ball, a member of EMM’s Partners in Welcome community who graciously offered to share a virtual [...]
Refugee Program Update
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and welcome ministry of the Episcopal Church. This episode features an update from Rushad Thomas, policy advisor in The Episcopal Church's Office of Government [...]
Living the Faith: An Interview with Drocella Mugorewera
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and welcome ministry of the Episcopal Church. Reflection author and Interview Guest This week’s reflection author and interview guest is Drocella Mugorewera, Executive Director [...]
The One Journey Movement
The second episode of season two of Hometown features an interview with Wendy Chan and Vanda Berninger, cochairs for the One Journey Festival in Washington, DC. The mission of the One Journey Festival is to [...]
An Invitation to Partners in Welcome
We’re excited to bring you season two of Hometown. Each episode this season will include a Lenten reflection and a look into a new initiative from Episcopal Migration Ministries called Partners in Welcome. Partners in [...]
Partners in Welcome: Join Us On The Way
This is the third in our three-part Walking in Welcome Advent series. The program was released as a webinar in addition to this podcast episode. Webinar Recording: vimeo.com/307124206 Stay in Touch and Connect with Partners [...]
One Community’s Journey: The Story of West Virginia Interfaith Refugee Ministry
One Community’s Journey: The Story of West Virginia Interfaith Refugee Ministry is the second in our three-part Walking in Welcome Advent series. Webinar Recording: https://vimeo.com/306804790 Walking in Welcome Toolkit Please subscribe to EMM’s Hometown podcast [...]
Mapping the Way: Tools for the Journey
This is the first in our three-part Walking in Welcome Advent series. Some resources from the recording below: • Webinar Recording: vimeo.com/304853873 • Center for Applied Linguistics’ Cultural Orientation Resource Center (www.culturalorientation.net/) Upcoming Webinars Please [...]
Vote Faithfully: Our Guests
If you haven't had a chance to check out the Vote Faithfully podcast episode, check out our interview with Alan Yarborough and Ashley Coleman on voting, civic engagement, and how you can be involved here. [...]
Vote Faithfully
Today on Hometown, Kendall and Allison speak with colleagues Alan Yarborough, from The Episcopal Church's Office of Government Relations, and Ashley Coleman, from New American Pathways in Atlanta, about civic engagement, voter registration, and non-partisan [...]
#Pray4Refugees: Day Five
Thank you for joining us this week to #Pray4Refugees. It's more important than ever that we join together and reach out in support of refugee resettlement. Take action at advocacy.episcopalchurch.org. Make a donation to support [...]
#Pray4Refugees – Day 4
Listen to today’s episode – and pray with us. Pray, then act. Visit @theeppn on social media or advocacy.episcopalchurch.org to take action. Repost and share from our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, [...]
#Pray4Refugees: Day 3
Listen to today’s episode – and pray with us. Pray, then act. Visit @theeppn on social media or advocacy.episcopalchurch.org to take action. Repost and share from our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, [...]
#Pray4Refugees: Day 2
Listen to today’s episode - and pray with us. Pray, then act. Visit @theeppn on social media or http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org to take action. Repost and share from our social media feeds. On Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, [...]
#Pray4Refugees: Day 1
Today we begin a week-long vigil of prayer for refugees. Join us in this solemn act of solidarity and hope with our sisters and brothers, the world over, seeking safety, peace, and a place to [...]
In Between
Hi there, Hometown listeners! Allison and Kendall are back for a short mid-season pod episode - to give you updates on what’s happening with the refugee resettlement program and to share some opportunities to join [...]
Embracing the Way of Love: Amanda Payne
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries. Be sure to subscribe – we’ll continue to release special episodes throughout the summer! Interview Today’s episode features an interview with Amanda Payne, Minister to Youth & [...]
Love is the Way: Vigil at Detention Center
This morning, staff from Episcopal Migration Ministries gathered with hundreds of Episcopalians at the T. Don Hutto Residential Center, a for-profit facility detaining 512 women, many of whom are seeking asylum in the United States. [...]
The Story of a Refugee Child: Fr. Alex Nagy
Allison and Kendall continue to meet amazing people at General Convention who are sharing why they #SupportRefugees. On today's episode, you meet one of those people - Padre Alex Nagy, Priest Associate for Latino Ministries at [...]
Mad Priest Coffee: Champion the Displaced
/ Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries. Be sure to subscribe - we’ll continue to release special episodes throughout the summer! Interview Today’s episode features an interview with our friends from Mad Priest [...]
Our 1939 Moment: Continuing the Legacy of Welcome
On June 18, Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations hosted a webinar about the history and present of The Episcopal Church’s legacy of refugee welcome. The audio was released on [...]
Bonus: The Rev. Chris Bishop & Stand with Iraqi Christians
We’re excited to release this bonus episode, featuring our conversation with The Rev. Chris Bishop, reflection author from Episode 10 (titled "A Home for All of Us"), as he shares more about his work with [...]
Speaking Truth
#RoyalWedding Preacher reprise - Before Presiding Bishop Curry was known around the world as the Royal Wedding Preacher, he, of course, was - and is! - the beloved Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Months [...]
Drop Your Anchor
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This is the last episode in Season 1! Stay subscribed - we’ll release special episodes throughout the summer, including from [...]
Portraits of Immigrants: Unknown Faces, Untold Stories
Eleven years ago, Betsy Ashton returned to the art career that she’d abandoned in 1971, when she took a long detour into television news. Three credits shy of a master of fine arts degree in [...]
Reflection by the Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe
Wow! This section of the Acts of the Apostles is fast-paced enough for a remake of “Indiana Jones.” St. Paul seems to be in constant motion, moving from one place to another, encountering one challenge [...]
How Are You Called?
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 21:27—Acts 27:12. Reflection author This week’s reflection comes from The Rev. [...]
Reflection by the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings
One day in Philippi, the apostle Paul and his fellow missionary Silas got thrown in jail. They had ordered the spirit of divination to leave a young enslaved woman, and as a result, her owners’ [...]
Reflection by the Rev. Canon Charles. K. Robertson, Ph.D.
Bosnian-born author Aleksandar Hemon was on a visit to Chicago in 1992 when war broke out and a siege began in his hometown of Sarajevo. His vacation suddenly and indefinitely extended, the tourist-turned-refugee worked hard [...]
Put Prayer Into Action
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 16:16-Acts 21:26 Reflection author This week’s reflection comes from The Rev. [...]
Children of a Refugee
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 13:13-Acts 16:15 Reflection author This week’s reflection author is The Rev. [...]
What Are You Willing to Risk?
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 10:17-Acts 13:12. Reflection author This week’s reflection author is Julia Ayala [...]
Reflection by the Rev. Christopher Bishop
A reflection on Acts 7:1-10:16 In 2015, I met a young woman named Lina, living with her family in an Internally Displaced Persons Camp in Erbil, Kurdistan, after they were driven from their home in [...]
A Home for All of Us
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 7:1 - Acts 10:16 Reflection author This week’s reflection author is [...]
Reflection by the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers
There are any number of provocative stories and images tucked into chapters 4 and 5 of Acts. I’d like to dwell for a moment with Acts 4:32-Acts 5:11. Specifically, with these lines: “There was not [...]
Once Upon a Time…
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 4:23 - Acts 6 Reflection author This week’s reflection author is [...]
The Promise: For You and For All Who Are Far Off
The Acts of the Apostles Chapters 1-4 The Promise: For You and For All Who Are Far Off By: The Rev. Canon Jason D. Lewis Canon for Congregational Vitality, Diocese of Kentucky Jesus’ story doesn’t [...]
Hold On – Holy Week Bonus Episode
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This Holy Week we are bringing you this special bonus episode to share a new song from Abraham Mwinda [...]
Precious Lord
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 22:47 through the end of Luke’s Gospel. This week’s reflection author [...]
Running for Home
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 18:18-Luke 22:46 On this week’s episode, we reflect on scripture, discuss the [...]
Lost and Found
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 15:1-Luke 18:17 On this week’s episode, we reflect on scripture, learn [...]
Part two – Rwanda: Land of a Thousand Hills
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 11:14-Luke 14 We don’t have a scripture reflection on the podcast [...]
Reflection by The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Th.D.
Friends, the text for today contains many parables, healings, and teachings all by Jesus. I am going to take few minutes to reflect upon some of them and to come up with some lessons. After [...]
Rwanda: Land of a Thousand Hills
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 8 - Luke 11:13 On this week’s episode, we reflect on [...]
Meet Abraham Mwinda
Abraham Mwinda is a San Diego, CA based Congolese born, Kenyan raised singer, songwriter and rapper from Lexington, Kentucky. He hopes to make a difference, and bring positive change in the world one song at [...]
Where is home?
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 4:14 - Luke 7 Welcome to Episode 2 of Hometown! [...]
“The Archangel Gabriel”
In honor of our first episode of Hometown, we invite you to learn more about "The Archangel Gabriel" by Sheila Diemert. This piece was used as part of our social media graphics to promote Hometown. [...]
Hope Overcoming Fear
Reflection on Luke 1:1 – 4:13 By The Rev. Laurie Brock Fear makes its appearance quite early and rather frequently in the Gospel of Luke. We first meet fear as Zechariah offers incense in the [...]
Welcome to Hometown!
Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 1- Luke 4:13 Welcome to Hometown! On the debut episode, we [...]
Introduction to HomeTown
Join Allison Duvall and Kendall Martin of Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement ministry of the Episcopal Church, for an introduction to HomeTown, a podcast featuring voices from across the US, the Episcopal Church, and [...]