If you would like my assistance in starting the conversation or planning for your congregation's World Refugee Day, feel free to contact me. If you are already hosting an event or special worship service, let me know and I can share the invitation here.

From UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency:

Whoever they are, people forced to flee should be treated with dignity. Anyone can seek protection, regardless of who they are or what they believe. It is non-negotiable: seeking safety is a human right.

Wherever they come from, people forced to flee should be welcomed. Refugees come from all over the globe. To get out of harm’s way, they might take a plane, a boat, or travel on foot. What remains universal is the right to seek safety.

Whenever people are forced to flee, they have a right to be protected. Whatever the threat – war, violence, persecution – everyone deserves protection. Everyone has a right to be safe.

1. Right to seek asylum: Anyone fleeing persecution, conflict, or human rights abuses has a right to seek protection in another country.

2. Safe access: Borders should remain open to all people forced to flee. Restricting access and closing borders can make the journey even more dangerous for people seeking safety.

3. No pushbacks: People can’t be forced to return to a country if their life or freedom would be at risk. This means that countries shouldn’t push anyone back without first evaluating the dangers they would face back home.

4. No discrimination: People should not be discriminated against at borders. All applications for refugee status must be given fair consideration, regardless of factors like race, religion, gender and country of origin.

5. Humane treatment: People forced to flee should be treated with respect and dignity. They are entitled to safe and dignified treatment like any human being. Among other things, this means keeping families together, protecting people from traffickers, and avoiding arbitrary detention.

You can find and download our World Refugee Day core messaging document here.

You can find and download our World Refugee Day core messaging document here.

Read our World Refugee Day Live Blog to discover some of the activities that took place in 2021.

https://pda.pcusa.org/page/world-refugee-day/ (2021)

https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday/ (2021)

https://rcusa.org/resources/world-refugee-day-2019-toolkit-2/ (2019 - ideas)

Peace,

Rev. Peder Johanson (he/his)

Volunteer Coordinator, Afghan Refugee Response

On Thursday, May 26, WCC will be hosting a special webinar to educate congregations on Cultural Competency for welcoming and supporting Afghan Muslims. Our presenter, Janan Najeeb, is the director of the Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition and a brilliant and engaging speaker. She will share with us some of the basics of Islam, aspects of Afghan culture, and offer insight for how we as Christians may walk alongside our Afghan neighbors and create a more welcoming environment in our communities.

Janan was a recent guest on The Morning Show, a production of Wisconsin Public Radio, to discuss the history of Islam in Wisconsin and traditions of Ramadan. Click here to listen to this excellent conversation.

*June 2nd at 7pm in Milwaukee

Register Here

June 3rd at 7pm in Madison.

**Midvale Community Lutheran Church

You are invited to hear from world-renowned author Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb. He served as pastor of Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, Palestine and is now the president of the Dar al-Kalima University in Bethlehem. Join us to hear Rev. Raheb speak about his newest book, The Politics of Persecution, which addresses the situation of Christians in the Middle East. He will present a less-familiar narrative about Christians in the Middle East, challenging us to reconsider how we think about our siblings in faith. The presentation will be followed by a book signing with Rev. Mitri.

LSS Refugee is working in collaboration with Catholic Charities in Milwaukee (USCCB) on a pro bono attorney project to assure legal services for Afghans needing to apply for asylum. Catholic Charities is working with the WI Bar Association as well, to recruit pro bono attorneys to join this effort. USCCB will provide training to attorneys who sign on.

  

Please direct all interested persons to Barbara Graham at Catholic Charities Legal Immigration Service at [email protected]

Racial equity in our schools and communities has a direct impact on the lives and wellbeing of immigrants and refugees in our state. We invite you to sign the pledge to Take a Faithful Stand for Equity, and participate in as many ways as you are able.

·       Attend a monthly statewide meeting on zoom (usually the first Tues at 6:30 pm),

“Taking a Faithful Stand” is sponsored by the Wisconsin Council of Churches, the WISDOM network, and Wisconsin Faith Voices for Justice, and has already signed up over 500 participants around the state.

Open Doors For Refugees has taken over the Madison warehouse of Team Rubicon and is always in need of volunteers to manage this and other aspects of its operation. Follow the link to connect with their coordinators.

Lutheran Social Services (LSS), the Wisconsin Council of Churches, and local church leaders in the Milwaukee area are working together to coordinate volunteers for the LSS warehouse and resettlement office, and to establish an offsite donation drop-off and sorting center (location pending approval).

If you are interested in scheduling some work days in Milwaukee, please contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

LSS has a partner with multiple apartments for future refugee arrivals in need of cleaning and painting. With the hiring shortages currently being felt across the economy, these units sit empty and unavailable until the work can be done. Paint and supplies will be provided, but volunteers are needed to prepare these new homes. If you or your leaders would like to discuss this opportunity further, contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

North West Wisconsin - Welcoming New Neighbors, an interfaith community coalition based in Eau Claire, is working with Lutheran Social Services of Wisconsin to resettle Afghans in Eau Claire. Contact Rev. Peder Johanson to be connected with their leadership.

East-Central Wisconsin - Catholic Charities in Green Bay is resettling Afghans in and around Green Bay. World Relief is resettling Afghans in Appleton and Oshkosh and offer several ways to support the effort there.

Central Wisconsin - New Beginnings for Refugees is a new resettlement agency located in Wausau, under the direction of ECDC. They are resettling families in and around Wausau, including Stevens Point, Marshfield, and Wisconsin Rapids.

South West Wisconsin - Southwestern Wisconsin Community Action Program, Inc (SWCAP) is working with Church World Service to resettle Afghan families in and around Platteville. For more information and to discuss how your church can support their work, contact Rev. Peder Johanson.

South Central Wisconsin - Jewish Social Services is a resettlement agency located in Madison. With the support of volunteers through Open Doors For Refugees, they are resettling families and individuals in and around Madison. Visit opendoorsforrefugees.org to learn how you and/or your congregation to volunteer.

South East Wisconsin - Lutheran Social Services is resettling and supporting Afghans primarily in Milwaukee and within a 100 mile radius. They rely on cosponsors and volunteers for much of the support to the resettlement effort and care of refugees. International Institute of Wisconsin is also resettling Afghans in Milwaukee. The Milwaukee Muslim Women's Coalition provides services and support to the refugee communities in Milwaukee.

Active volunteers, cosponsor team members, and others interested in engaging with one another around refugee resettlement are invited to our private Facebook Group.

For education and worship resources, volunteer opportunities, and to give a donation towards the WCC effort in helping refugees from Afghanistan, visit our website.

This work is possible because of generous donations from judicatories, churches, and individuals.

Choose "Afghan Refugee Relief" in the fund drop-down menu.