Presentation given by Allison Duvall and Wendy Johnson at Global Episcopal Mission Network conference in Ponce, Puerto Rico.

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The Episcopal Church’s Ministry
of Refugee Resettlement

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A g e n d a a t a G l a n c e
1. Objectives
2. Definitions: refugee, asylum-seeker, migrant, IDP
3. Global Refugee Crisis: Root Causes & Push Factors
4. Durable Solutions
5. Resettlement Countries
6. Coming to the United States
7. The United States Refugee Admissions Program
(USRAP)
8. Episcopal Migration Ministries

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A g e n d a a t a G l a n c e
9. How Can You Help? Advocacy
• Advocacy - Issues & Action
• The Episcopal Church's Ministry of Advocacy
10.How Can You Help? Mission and Service
• Gifts Discernment
• Services and Activities in Welcome & Integration
• Creating and Living into Your Mission Plan
11.How Can You Help? Give
12.Q&A

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O b j e c t i v e s
• Define refugee, asylum-seeker, internally displaced person;
understand international protections for refugees and asylum-
seekers
• Appreciate complexity of global refugee crisis, populations
effected, push factors, refugee-hosting and resettlement countries
• Awareness of many actors – international, federal, NGO –
involved in refugee response abroad and resettlement
domestically, including Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Understand how to be involved in advocacy for refugees and
resettlement to your elected officials and how to join the
Episcopal Public Policy Network
• Have the tools to begin to explore how you – individually and
collectively – can be involved in the ministry of welcome

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D e f i n i t i o n s
Who is a refugee?

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C r i s i s b y t h e n u m b e r s
The Current Global Refugee Crisis

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W h e r e d o r e f u g e e s c o m e f r o m ?

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D u r a b l e S o l u t i o n s & R e s e t t l e m e n t C o u n t r i e s

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D u r a b l e S o l u t i o n s & R e s e t t l e m e n t C o u n t r i e s
Durable Solutions
• Repatriation​
• Local integration
• Resettlement in a third country
Resettlement Countries
United States is the international leader. In addition, Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the Netherlands, the Nordic countries
(Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden) are traditional
resettlement countries. Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Iceland, Ireland
and the United Kingdom are newer resettlement countries, with
smaller programs.

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C o m i n g t o t h e U n i t e d S t a t e s

11. # R E F U G E E S W E L C O M E
S e c u r i t y S c r e e n i n g P r o c e s s

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S c r e e n i n g P r o c e s s

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U n i t e d S t a t e s R e f u g e e A d m i s s i o n s P r o g r a m

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L o c a l R e s e t t l e m e n t A g e n c i e s

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E p i s c o p a l M i g r a t i o n M i n i s t r i e s

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E p i s c o p a l M i g r a t i o n M i n i s t r i e s

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E p i s c o p a l M i g r a t i o n M i n i s t r i e s

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E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y
How can we help refugees?
Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN)

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E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y
What is the EPPN? The EPPN is a grassroots network of
Episcopalians dedicated to striving for justice & peace.
Why should I join?
• Our Baptismal Covenant calls us to “strive for justice & peace”
and “respect the dignity of all human beings.”
• The time is now.
• Your faith voice makes a difference.
• A community of advocacy.
Sign up for EPPN action alerts: http://tinyurl.com/JoinEPPN
Lacy Broemel
lbroemel@episcopalchurch.org
202-547-7300

20. States where anti-refugee legislation
has been introduced
#REFUGEESWELCOME
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y

21. Civic Engagement
#EpiscopaliansVote
advocacy.episcopalchurch.org
#REFUGEESWELCOME
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y

22. How Can You Help?
Mission & Service
#REFUGEESWELCOME
H o w C a n Yo u H e l p ?

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L o c a l R e s p o n s e

24. World Refugee Day is June 20
A time to celebrate & recommit to our call to welcome the
stranger
#REFUGEESWELCOME
Wo r l d R e f u g e e D a y

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Wo r l d R e f u g e e D a y

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G i f t s D i s c e r n m e n t
The place God calls you to is the place where your
deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.
Frederick Buechner

27. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit;
and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord;
and there are varieties of activities, but
it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone.
- 1 Corinthians 12:4-6
• Asset-based approach vs. needs-based approach
• Greater understanding of your community of faith/group, of
yourself, of the unique way in which you can offer God’s love to
the world in mission
• Your “lens” is a theology of abundance
• Mission for the sake of equipping and empowering your partners
and those you serve; for the purpose of creating sustainable and
lasting positive change.
#REFUGEESWELCOME
G i f t s D i s c e r n m e n t

28. • Gifts Discernment Activities
• 10 Best Practices for Congregations Engaging in Refugee
Resettlement Ministry
• Checklist for Congregations
• Called to Transformation: www.calledtotransformation.org
Available by request – aduvall@episcopalchurch.org.
#REFUGEESWELCOME
G i f t s D i s c e r n m e n t
Resources to Discern, Prepare, and Plan

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G i f t s D i s c e r n m e n t

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S e r v i c e s & A c t i v i t i e s i n We l c o m e & I n t e g r a t i o n
How do we welcome new Americans?
• Welcome begins before refugees arrive
• Arranging decent safe and sanitary housing
• Furniture (need not be new, but in good
condition), cleaning supplies, toiletries
• Seasonal clothing and clothing for work
• Welcome at arrival
• Greeting refugees at the airport
• Ready to eat and culturally appropriate
meal upon arrival
• Welcome and orientation to their new
community
Photo: Exodus Refugee, Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Case management: Assistance applying for social security card, enrollment in
English language programs, employment services
• Ensure every refugee has health assessment within 30 days of arrival
• Transportation assistance
• Assistance with filing with family overseas

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S e r v i c e s & A c t i v i t i e s i n We l c o m e & I n t e g r a t i o n
• Cultural Orientation, English, Citizenship classes
• Mentors for Vocational Pathways (New American Pathways, Atlanta)
• Young Adult Leadership
• Weaving, Sewing, and Art Therapy Circles
• Children’s Choirs
• Community Gardens
• Hosting classes, refugee community worship services, programming and
other agency activities in your building
• Inviting new Americans to community activities – introducing them to
festivals, museums, zoos, fairs
• Donation of church bus or other vehicles
• Offering low-cost housing options
• Existing Church/Diocesan Ministries: summer camps, literacy programs,
food pantries and clothing closets
Creative Programs and Partnerships

32. • Financial donations to local resettlement agencies
• Supplies – Welcome Baskets, winter coats, pantry items,
school supplies, pots & pans, sheets, blankets, etc.
• Time – volunteer
• Episcopal Relief & Development
#REFUGEESWELCOME
H o w C a n Yo u H e l p ? S t e w a r d s h i p
Photo: Felicity Handford

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Q & A

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F o l l o w - U p
Allison Duvall
Manager for Church Relations & Engagement
aduvall@episcopalchurch.org, (212) 716-6027
Wendy Johnson
Communications Manager
wjohnson@episcopalchurch.org, (202) 716-6143
www.episcopalchurch.org
Episcopal Migration Ministries
www.episcopalchurch.org/emm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EMMRefugees
Twitter: @EMMRefugees
Video: www.vimeo.com/EMMRefugees

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We l c o m e t h e S t r a n g e r