Ministry News and Events
Register Now for Fourth Annual Border & Migration Ministry Summit
A virtual conference for those engaged or interested in migration ministries will be held March 30-31, hosted by Episcopal Migration Ministries in partnership with the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas. The Fourth Annual Border & Migration Ministry Summit - rescheduled from October - will be simultaneously interpreted in English and Spanish. During the summit, attendees will learn about and reflect on forced migration through the lenses of asylum, immigrant detention, and accompaniment. Panel discussions will include experts, practitioners, faith leaders, and lay leaders. The conference is scheduled to run from 12:00 to 4:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, March 30, and from 12:00 to 3:00 p.m. CT on March 31. Registration costs $25; the deadline to sign up is March 25. To register, click the link below.
Working Towards a More Gender-Responsive Reintegration Process for Returned Migrants: February 15
The Global Compact for Safe, Orderly, and Regular Migration (GCM) calls for more gender-responsive return and reintegration programs. Yet many foundational questions remain unexamined, including how the migration experiences of women (inclusive of both cisgender and trans women) affect their reintegration and the communities to which they return. During Migration Week hosted by the United Nations Network on Migration, join policymakers and practitioners for a conversation reflecting on the progress made in the past three years to better integrate gender into reintegration programs for returned migrants, ongoing challenges, and how the International Migration Review Forum (IMRF) in May offers a critical moment to promote good practices. To register, click the link below.
The Education Corner: Four Years of Profound Change: Immigration Policy During the Trump Presidency
This week, The Education Corner features a research resource from the Migration Policy Institue. Over the course of four years, the Trump administration set an unprecedented pace for executive action on immigration, enacting 472 administrative changes that dismantled and reconstructed many elements of the U.S. immigration system. This report chronicles the immigration actions, large and small, that President Donald Trump and his administration took from January 20, 2017, through January 20, 2021.To learn more, click the link below.
Effective Refugee Storytelling and Messaging: February 17
The Action Network's Refugee Leadership Development Program provides monthly workshops to refugee and immigrant organizers across the United States. Led by refugees, this training series is an opportunity to learn more about advocacy tactics being used to advance pro-refugee / pro-immigrant policy on the state and national level, story-telling and narrative shifting, and connecting with resources and local networks to build more welcoming and inclusive communities. Join the session on February 17 at 6:00 p.m. CT. To register, click the link below. .
Announcements
"5 Reasons Why You Should Become A Community Sponsor" From EMM
Episcopal Migration Ministries is excited to be a Sponsor Circle Umbrella for the Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans (SCP). This program is an emergency resettlement initiative that allows the U.S. to build capacity to welcome and resettle Afghan newcomers through community sponsorship, a model of resettlement where groups of individuals commit to directly providing resettlement services. Thousands of Afghan newcomers remain at U.S. military bases in temporary housing, and many have been waiting for several months for communities to prepare for their arrival. There is an urgent need for Sponsor Circles to support the move of Afghan newcomers off of bases and into welcoming communities in the coming weeks. You can play a critical role. To learn more, click here.
A Poetry Declaration: Expressing the Intersections of Migration, Justice, and Human Rights: February 17
Join artists, poets, refugees, and educators on February 15, for a discussion and performance of creative expression exploring the intersection of migration, social justice and human rights at the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center, 723 S. Brazos St., San Antonio, TX 78207 from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. To register, click here.
Migration Policies and Their Current Impact on Haitian Communities in the U.S and Dominican Republic: February 23
Join Equal Health, a global community of health professionals, educators, and activists dedicated to the fight for health equity that transcends borders, for the Campaign Against Racism on Wednesday, February 23 at 10:00 a.m. CT. In this session, attendees will learn about violence against Haitian communities across the globe and how migration policies in the U.S. and the Dominican Republic contribute to this treatment. To register, click here.
St. Mary's Law School Immigration Symposium: February 25
St. Mary's 2022 Immigration Symposium will explore the practical aspects of immigration law and the current policy debates surrounding the field, give attendees the opportunity to hear attorneys, leaders, and scholars speak on current issues within immigration law, and present a compelling program for immigration and non-immigration practitioners alike. This year's theme is "Forever a Nation of Immigrants." Registered participants will receive 5 CLE credit hours including 1 hour in ethics. The 2022 Immigration Symposium will be held in person in San Antonio, COVID rates allowing. To register, click here.
San Antonio Communities of Welcome for Afghans Sports Day: February 26
Communities of Welcome is hosting a Sports Day, bringing together newcomer Afghan families with long-time San Antonio residents. Join your newest San Antonio neighbors on Saturday, February 26, from 2pm to 5pm at Raymond Rimkus Park in Leon Valley, to play soccer, cricket, volleyball, basketball, tennis and more! If you are interested in joining Communities of Welcome or have questions please contact Wyndee Holbrook, at wyndee@interfaithsaa.org, or Nadia Mavrakis, at nadia@culturingua.com
Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) Weekly Advocacy Conversation
The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations (OGR) hosts a weekly, 30-minute conversation each Thursday at 12:00 p.m. CT, to introduce the policies and legislation The Episcopal Church is advocating for with the United States Congress and Federal Administration. OGR staff will provide an overview of the political environment and legislative outlook, tips for advocacy, and time for questions from attendees. To register for upcoming calls, click here.
Action Center
All in-person volunteer opportunities will require a signed agreement to follow Centers for Disease Control (CDC) COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
Diocesan Wide
Episcopal Migration Ministries: Afghan Allies
Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church, is currently working in partnership with the U.S. government to assist our Afghan allies with resettlement and direct services through a network of twelve affiliates across the U.S. To learn how to help Episcopal Migration Ministries support our Afghan Allies, click the link below.
Episcopal Prayer Square Initiative
In collaboration with neighboring border dioceses, all congregants and churches are invited to submit prayer squares, sharing messages of hope and love with migrants in our community as part of the Episcopal Prayer Square Initiative. Each completed prayer square will be part of a travel kit, including shelf-stable food and PPE, distributed to migrants throughout their travels in the Diocese of West Texas.
San Antonio Region
Afghans in San Antonio
Many Afghans have been forced to flee their home due to current events, and some individuals and families are arriving in San Antonio. Afghans in San Antonio is a new non-profit that gives individuals, congregations, organizations, businesses, and other organizations opportunities to serve well by working with San Antonio's refugee organizations guiding the way. People who have received refugee status will be eligible for government benefits, others will come in need of even more goodwill. Click the button below to view different actions you can take to serve today.
Volunteer Drivers & Companions
Individuals who live in the San Antonio area are needed to drive the Immigration Ministries van and accompany families and individuals seeking asylum throughout San Antonio. Click here for more information about serving our neighbors in this way.
Airport and Bus Station Outreach Volunteers
The Interfaith Welcome Coalition Outreach Programs include Bus Station Outreach & the Airport Outreach. Volunteers provide a warm San Antonio greeting and invaluable resources to families and individuals seeking asylum, who have been released from American detention centers and processing centers along the border. These outreach programs take place 365 days a year, from 9:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. Volunteer shifts can be flexible, with some volunteers staying up to 8 hours and others for 2. Click here for more information.
Rio Grande Valley Region
Bus Station Volunteers (Brownsville)
Individuals who live in the Rio Grande Valley region, or are interested in traveling to serve on the border, are needed to welcome asylum-seeking families and individuals at the Brownsville Bus Station. Click here to request more information about serving as a bus station volunteer.
Catholic Charities Respite Center Volunteers (McAllen)
Individual volunteers who live in the Rio Grande Valley region, or are interested in traveling to serve on the border, are needed to welcome asylum-seeking families and individuals at the McAllen Respite Center. Click here to request more information about welcoming families in McAllen.
Prayer Requests
Verse of the Week: “And the king will answer them, "Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me'.” (Matthew 25:40)

God of the journey, God of the traveler, We pray for those who leave their homes in search of new beginnings and possibilities, may they know your presence with them. We pray that those who seek to find a home in this country may find us welcoming and willing to help them find a path toward citizenship, We pray that our legislators, as they craft new immigration legislation may find the wisdom and courage to enact new policies that do justice for our country and for those who would immigrate here. We pray for those who fan the flames of fear and discrimination against the undocumented may be touched with your divine compassion. We pray in Jesus' name. Amen.
The Archdiocese of Chicago
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