Today’s bonus episode features a recording from the October 25th webinar – Safeguarding Refugee Resettlement: Navigating Policy Shifts in a Changing Political Landscape - co-hosted by The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries. The panel discussion explores the impact policy changes and financial constr…

Today’s episode of Hometown features an interview with Salemu Alimasi. Salemu and his family, originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, came to the U.S. as refugees in 2011 and settled in Houston. A passionate advocate for years, Salemu has worked as a grassroots community organizer with Church World Service since 2023. We invite you to joi…

In this episode, we speak with Robert Vivar, migration missioner for the Episcopal Diocese of San Diego since January 2023. Having lived on both sides of the U.S./Mexico border, Robert understands the factors driving sustained levels of global migration as well as the vulnerabilities of people forced to leave their homes. He also brings to this rol…

NOTE: This episode has been rereleased to include a missing piece of audio. Today’s episode features a conversation with members of the Ocean Springs Remote Placement Community Partner team out of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. Cynthia Ramseur, Lena Melton, and Peggy Butera share their experience of joining together as a…

Today’s guest on Hometown is Karimullah Kamwar. Karim is an Afghan national who lives and works in Syracuse, New York. Karim grew up in Mazar-e-Sharif, a city in northern Afghanistan. After college and graduate school, he began working in the nonprofit sector and started a family. However, in August 2021, when the U.S. withdrew from Afghanistan and…

Today’s episode features a recording from the April 26th webinar, Part 1: LGBTQIA2S+ Migrants, from The Office of Government Relations (OGR) of The Episcopal Church and Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM). The first of three installments of “A Closer Look” Immigration Series, this session features LGBTQIA2S+ migration expert Craig Mortley, M.Sc., …

Today’s episode features a conversation with Mariti Zirarusha (also known as Martin), who with his parents and six siblings were resettled in Tucson, Arizona, as refugees from the Democratic Republic of Congo. Martin shares about his time living in the Kyangwali Refugee Camp in Uganda, the journey to become acclimated to life in a new community in …

Today’s episode features a conversation with Nasratullah Khalil. Khalil, as he prefers to be called, is an Afghan national who now lives and works in Syracuse, New York. In August 2021, Khalil and his family were forced into hiding after the U.S. abruptly withdrew from Afghanistan and the Taliban took over. Since Khalil had worked for a U.S. milita…

Today’s episode features Rebecca Hamlin, a professor of political science and legal studies at the University of Massachusetts-Amherst. Professor Hamlin’s research and teaching interests center on law and immigration, with a special interest in understanding how people who cross borders are categorized under the law and in public discourse. In our …

Today’s episode features a conversation with Mohammad Jawad, a refugee from Syria, who was resettled in Syracuse, N.Y., with his wife and children. Mohammad shares memories of his youth in Syria before the civil war, the obstacles he and his family faced as they fled their homeland and lived for ten years in a refugee camp in Jordan, and the opport…

On this episode, we speak with Rev. Chris McNabb, the Program Officer for Recruitment & Engagement of Neighbor to Neighbor. We explore the experience, evolution, and expansion of this program since its inception around August 2021, as well as some continued challenges around funding, and the call to respond to issues of forced-displacement as a res…

On this episode of HomeTown, we speak with members of Neighbor to Neighbor's own St. John's Norwood Sponsor Circle team, doing the critical work of welcome with individuals arriving in their communities.We speak with the Rev. Anne Derse, Deacon and St. John’s Minister for Community Engagement, as well as St. John's parishioners Melanie Folstad and …

In this episode of HomeTown, we speak with members of Neighbor to Neighbor's own Tri-Parish Sponsor Circle team. This Sponsor Circle consists of three Episcopal parishes who have teamed up together with EMM's Neighbor to Neighbor program to do the critical work of welcome with individuals arriving in their communities. I speak with Embry Howell and…

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 us break down the different types of sponsorship and how community groups can get involved. Many efforts to welcome our newest neighbors are happening in the form of co-sponsorship, community sp…

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), and the Women's Empowerment Group (WEG). We spoke with Narelle Sissons, a visual artist, theatre designer, professor, and art instructor who teaches and empowers the wo…

Today's episode features a conversation with with some members of the St. Matthew's & St. Andrews Pentecost Partnership Committee, a joint effort between two parishes in Evanston, IL, who are working with RefugeeOne to do the critical work of welcome within their community. We speak with Cynthia Doucet, Marta Humphreys, & the Rev. Terri J. Morrisey…

Today's episode features a conversation with Fr. Chris McNabb, the Program Manager of EMM's new Neighbor to Neighbor program initiative, to discuss the beginnings of this program, and also how it brings communities together in a ministry of welcome, inviting faith communities to join together in community sponsorship to welcome our newest neighbors…

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 with Fr. Chris McNabb, Program Manager of our new Neighbor to Neighbor program, along with Beth Frank, program director of the Community Sponsorship Hub's Sponsor Circle Program for A…

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 voices who are directly involved in this emerging ministry of welcome, such as our Neighbor to Neighbor Missioner, Fr. Chris McNabb, as well as congregations who are stepping up and doing…

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 program, perspectives from different faith traditions and practitioners, and the role of community support in providing welcome and integration to newly arrived refugees.The 90-minute event in…

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: How Americans and the Episcopal Church Integrate Refugees into Their Communities.The event featured the following experts:• Jessica Darrow, Assistant Instruct…

Today's episode features the recording of Reflecting on The Geneva Convention: The State of Global Refugee Trends and Refugee Policy Today, a webinar from Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations. In addition to the Church’s migration ministry and policy staff, the event featured the following experts…

Today’s reflection comes from Presiding Bishop Michael Curry, the 27th and current presiding bishop and primate of The Episcopal Church.Follow us on FB, Twitter, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.In this season of giving we invite you to make a gift to support the refugee and immigration ministries of The Episcopal Church through the work of E…

Today’s episode features a reflection from Ana Reza, Bridge Chaplain at the Diocese of the Rio Grande, living in El Paso, Tx and working in Juarez, Mx. Ana works within one of the asylum shelters in Juarez, MX.Ana provides pastoral care and seeks and trains volunteers to go to the shelters and do a variety of activities from teaching to prayer. Dur…

Today’s episode is part of EMM’s weekly Advent reflections from our supporters and friends. Our reflection author is Thomas Diaz, a 5th generation Angeleno. Thomas is from the diocese of Los Angeles and his home parish is All Saints Church, Pasadena.Follow us on FB, Twitter, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees.In this season of giving we invite …

Our reflection author The Rev. Anna Page is a priest in the Episcopal Church and Captain in the United States Army. She is canonically resident in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts but serves as the Curate at St. Michael's Episcopal Church in Raleigh, NC. When not on Zoom, Anna enjoys lifting heavy things, tending to her plants, and renovating…

Today’s episode is the first in a series of weekly Advent reflections from EMM supporters and friends. Our reflection author Rushad Thomas is a policy advisor in The Episcopal Church’s Washington, D.C.-based Office of Government Relations.We invite you to join us each week during Advent for reflection and prayer. Reflections are also available on t…

Today’s episode 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 Reverend Leeann Culbreath, who has accompanied individuals and families impacted by immigrant detention in South Georgia, most often at the Irwin County Detentio…

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 Lutheran Family Services of the Rocky Mountains.The three 90-minute virtual events are for con…

Today’s episode 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 Fagen, project coordinator for Rio Grande Borderland Ministries (RGBM) through Blueprint.Mike Wallens is the Vicar of an Episcopal church in Marfa, Texas and serves four other churc…

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 Times, Teen Vogue, among many other places, and is a former columnist for Catapult. She produced projects for Teen Vogue (“Ask a Syrian Gi…

Join us this fall and winter to hear the voices of those involved directly in this ministry of welcome - from on the ground support, to advocacy, to folks finding creative ways to participate and contribute to the welcoming movement.Follow us on FB, Twitter, and Instagram where we are @emmrefugees.Join in the ministry of welcome by making a gift to…

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, and specific actions you can take today to advocate for continued protection for asylum.For the PPT slides, webinar recording, advoc…

Episcopal Migration Ministries, in partnership with The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations, is offering three weeks of webinars geared toward action for DACA, Refugee Resettlement, and Asylum. In today’s webinar recording we came together to pray, to hear from a panel of folks resettled to the U.S. through the refugee resettlement prog…

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 God, Love Neighbor: Episcopal Month of Action.In today’s webinar recording we came together to pray, hear from DACA recipients, …

Today's episode features an introduction to EMM's latest offering - Virtual Book Club Guides. These guides provide instruction and resources to hold virtual book clubs. All of the books featured cover migration issues from various perspectives and experiences.Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries.Check out EMM’s blog for latest …

Today’s reflection on Station 14 - Jesus is Laid in the Tomb- comes from The Rev. Charles “Chuck” Wynder, Jr. , Officer for Social Justice & Engagement on the Presiding Bishop’s Staff for The Episcopal Church. He works to build capacity for advocacy, embodied witness, and community engagement around social and racial justice in communities througho…

Today’s reflection on Station 13 - The body of Jesus is placed in the arms of his mother - comes from The Revd Matthew Dumont-Machowski. Matthew is a senior seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary and has recently been ordained to the transitional diaconate in the Diocese of Virginia. Originally from Poland, Matthew has lived his entire adult l…

Today’s reflection on Station 12 - Jesus dies on the cross- comes from The Rev. Jaime Briceño, a transitional Deacon for Episcopal Diocese of Chicago, Director of Admission and Recruitment, and Digital Missioner for Bexley Seabury Seminary. Jaime is from Costa Rica, with an MA Theology degree in Systematic Theology, and Interreligious dialogue from…

Today’s reflection on Station 11 - Jesus is nailed to the cross - comes from The Rev. Canon Amy Real Coulta, Canon to the Ordinary in the Diocese of Kentucky. She serves on the board of Kentucky Refugee Ministries, which has worked with local congregations to resettle refugee families across Kentucky for 30 years. She is a native of Louisville, whe…

Today’s reflection on Station 10 - Jesus is stripped of his garments - comes from The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa. Currently Canon for Immigration and Multicultural Ministries in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Th.D. spent his early years in Rwanda, where much of his extended family still lives. His divers…

Today’s reflection on Station 9 - Jesus falls a third time - comes from Rob Coulston. Rob is the lay campus minister at St. Augustine's Chapel, the Episcopal and Lutheran campus ministry at the University of Kentucky. Raised in the Diocese of Lexington, Rob has served in the church most of his life as a volunteer and professional, including as a di…

Today’s reflection on Station 8 - Jesus Meets the Women of Jerusalem - comes from The Rev. Gregory Han and Elena Korbut. The Rev. Gregory Han is a “half-Asian, midwestern-Raised, Jesuit-educated, Harvard-trained, Texas-residing, Presbyterian Minister." ince summer 2014, he has served as the Director of Interfaith Relations & Education at Interfaith…

Today’s reflection on Station 7 - Jesus falls for the second time - comes from Abraham Mwinda, a Congolese born, Kenyan raised singer-songwriter based in San Diego, California. His lyrics are birthed from life experience and real life daily conversations with self & others. Rhythms from a rich home culture. Creativity that draws each listener to se…

Today’s reflection on Station 6 - A woman wipes the face of Jesus - comes from The Rev. Francisco García. A PhD student at Vanderbilt University, focusing on Theological Studies and Ethics, priest, and former community and labor organizer, he also serves as an Assistant Chaplain at St. Augustine's Episcopal Chapel in Nashville. Prior to his doctora…

Today’s reflection on Station 5 - Simon of Cyrene helps Jesus carry the cross - comes from the Rev. Deacon Paula Ott. The daughter of a Syrian immigrant and a first-generation German American, Paula was raised in a Jewish household in the Reformed tradition. She was baptized into the Christian faith in 1979, becoming an Episcopalian in 1982. In res…

Este podcast es el audio que acompaña las Reflexiones sobre el Vía Crucis. Lo invitamos a rezar con nosotros la liturgia el Vía Crucis. Para complementar su experiencia de este podcast, descargue el libreto que contiene la liturgia del Vía Crucis y las reflexiones que corresponden a cada Estación de la Cruz aquí: www.episcopalmigrationministries.or…

This episode features a recording from the February 27 webinar, Accurate Count: Engage the US Census, a joint offering of Episcopal Migration Ministries and The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations.Our presenters are Alan Yarborough, Church Relations Officer for The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Relations, and Shagufta Ahmed …

Today’s reflection on Station 4- Jesus meets Mary - comes from The Rev. Cristina Rathbone. The Rev. Rathbone served for ten years as the Canon Missioner for the Cathedral Church of St. Paul, Boston, working primarily with homeless and marginally housed women and men in that city. Together with the homeless community, she birthed a new faith communi…

Today’s reflection on Station 3 - Jesus Falls for the First time - comes from The Rev. David Ulloa Chavez. Fr. David serves as the Missioner of Border Ministries for the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona. Prior to serving as Missioner, Fr. David served as Priest-in-charge of Iglesia Episcopal Santa Maria and as Curate of Hispanic Ministry at Trinity Epi…