Episcopal Migration Ministries, through the work of the Episcopal Public Policy Network in the Office of Government Relations of The Episcopal Church, speaks out in support of refugee protection and resettlement. The Episcopal Public Policy Network offers advocacy and action opportunities to help you voice your support for refugees.
Take Action
The global refugee crisis is the largest we have ever seen. The United States has a long history of supporting refugee resettlement as a life-saving tool in response to refugee crises worldwide. It is more important than ever that the United States continue to take a leadership position in welcoming refugees to a safe and hopeful future. Here’s how you can advocate for your refugee neighbors and the resettlement program:
- Learn about refugees and resettlement
- EMM is a member of the Multifaith Alliance for Syrian Refugees (MFA). MFA, a project of the Tides Center, is the United States’ leading interfaith response to the Syrian refugee crisis. MFA’s mission is to raise funds in support of organizations that
provide direct services to Syrian war victims, heighten awareness of the growing dangers of inadequate responses to the Syrian humanitarian crisis, and plant the seeds for future stability in the region by fostering people-to-people engagement.
Learn about Episcopal Church Policy on Immigration and Refugee Issues. Read an overview here.
Contact your elected officials to tell them that you support your refugee neighbors and the resettlement program. You can do this through the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN). The EPPN is a grassroots network of Episcopalians dedicated to striving for justice and peace. Through the EPPN action center, you contact your member of Congress directly via email, participate in direct advocacy, and spread awareness in your community. Click here to learn more about the Episcopal Church’s ministry of advocacy. Join the EPPN.
Advocate using these resources from EPPN:
An updated Faith and Citizenship Guide for Advocacy seeks to help you fulfill your baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace. While it is focused on the federal level, the advocacy tips and tactics recommended throughout the guide are applicable to state and local advocacy as well.
The Postcard Project invites Episcopalians to engage in “slow advocacy” to shift the focus from reactionary outreach to long-term, big-picture strategy and relationship building with government officials. Use this guide to create advocacy events in your congregation.
The EPPN Ambassador Program is a curated group of Episcopalians across the Church who help amplify our messaging on advocacy, education, and civic engagement. We are slowly building this program with the goal of one ambassador in each diocese. We’d love to have you join this group of brand ambassadors to help get more folks advocating with us.
As we get to know our newest neighbors and build relationships, we can’t help but speak up. We tell stories, we share our lives, and we are called to share the good news of welcome.
Episcopal Migration Ministries offers Love God, Love Neighbor, a three-day training to equip you to be an advocate, ally, and ambassador for refugees and the ministry of refugee resettlement. Love God, Love Neighbor provides an in-depth exploration of the global displacement crisis, US refugee policy, the refugee resettlement process, faith-based advocacy for refugees, and organizing to welcome and support refugees in your home community.
We are always seeking partners to help host these events. If you’d like to explore bringing LGLN to your community, diocese/province, or state, please contact us.
- Welcome New Americans to Your Community: Episcopal Migration Ministries works through a network of 12 local affiliates and a number of other community partners. Volunteer with one of our local resettlement partners to welcome new Americans, or learn about options to sponsor a family. Take EMM’s Welcome Assessment here.
- Welcoming America: Welcoming America leads a movement of inclusive communities becoming more prosperous by making everyone feel like they belong. Today, a growing number of places recognize that being welcoming leads to prosperity; Welcoming America provides the roadmap and support they need to become more welcoming toward immigrants and all residents. Learn more about Welcoming America resources, webinars, and opportunities here.
Write an op-ed or a letter to the editor to share your support for immigrant and refugee welcome. Here are some great tips on writing an op-ed and getting it published. The Op-Ed Project has compiled submission information for over 100 top online and print publications across the country. Want help with your main points? Let us know; we’re happy to help.
- Refugee Sunday Toolkit – EMM offers a comprehensive toolkit that guides congregations through the process of planning and hosting a Refugee Sunday, including tips for additional activities to welcome the wider community into this special day. Request here.
- Host a fundraiser for EMM – Click here to launch a fundraiser to support EMM’s ministry.
- Prayers of the People for Refugees & Displaced People – These beautiful Prayers of the People were composed specially for Episcopal Migration Ministries.
- Prayer for Refugees – from Church of the Mediator, Allentown, PA, Diocese of Bethlehem
- Refugee Sunday Toolkit – EMM offers a comprehensive toolkit that guides congregations through the process of planning and hosting a Refugee Sunday, including tips for additional activities to welcome the wider community into this special day. Request here.