One of them, a lawyer, asked Jesus a question to test him. "Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?" And Jesus said, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the greatest and first commandment.  And a second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." Matthew 22:35-40


March 29, 2017  

Dear Friends,
 
As you know, refugee resettlement is in a precarious position today.

The president's announced intent to temporarily suspend the resettlement program and cut the number of refugees granted entry into the U.S. this year by more than half has far reaching implications on Episcopal Migration Ministries and our local partner agencies. Nearly all - approximately 99.5% - of Episcopal Migration Ministries' funding comes from the federal government and is tied directly to an active and ongoing resettlement of refugees. Because of the suspension and other policy changes, that funding is being slowed and dramatically reduced. Without funding, the infrastructure for EMM's ministry may collapse. If we want to have a strong, vibrant network through which to resettle refugees into a place of safety and opportunity, we must act now.

We need your help.
 
Join us in the launch of our fundraising campaign by hosting a Stand to Support Refugees Sunday at your church. Share this initiative with your friends, family, with other congregations and throughout your local diocese.

We are so grateful that The Episcopal Church has already begun to respond in a bold way to this need.
In February, Executive Council approved $500,000 in emergency funding to help bridge the gap until the end of the year. Several congregations and dioceses have ramped up their outreach and advocacy efforts regarding refugees. Countless individuals and groups have made unsolicited contributions to this lifesaving ministry.
 
Can we count on you, your church, and your diocese to Stand to Support Refugees?
 
 Hosting a Stand to Support Refugees Sunday is easy; we've prepared everything you need:
We give thanks to our friends at the
Church of St. Michael the Archangel for their help
with the Stand to Support Refugees campaign!
 

Individuals and congregations who donate $100 or more will receive a small reprint of our 1938 vintage poster as a gift. In thanks for donations of $250 or more, our supporters will receive a large reprint of the poster as a gift.

  
We're grateful to the Church of St. Michael the Archangel in the Diocese of Lexington for their generosity of spirit and support of refugees! Your gift of a poster will come to you lovingly packaged by the good people of St. Michael's. 





If you host a Stand to Support Refugees Sunday, let us know!
Post your photos on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, tagging us using @EMMRefugees and the hashtag #StandToSupportRefugees.

Get creative! We would love to see how you showcase your support for refugees and the ministry of welcome.






We look forward to hearing from you and to partnering with you in this movement to Stand to Support Refugees. As our remastered print of the iconic 1938 Diocese of Southern Ohio poster says, "In the name of these refugees, aid all refugees" (Matthew 2:1-16). 
 In gratitude,
 

Episcopal Migration Ministries