As an important corollary to our resettlement and advocacy work, the outreach program strives to educate and inform the church about the gifts which immigrants and refugees offer their communities. Because misinformation and misunderstanding about refugees and immigrants are often sources of the negative sentiment that impedes a generous and compassionate response to newcomers, this work is especially important. Consistent with the many initiatives of the Church which celebrate and affirm diversity, EMM provides churches, clergy and lay people with reliable information about refugees and immigrants, and encourages Episcopalians to participate in our refugee resettlement and advocacy work.
EMM remains committed to the use of churches and parishioners as a basis for its sponsorship programs, believing that the involvement of churches produces the most caring and committed transitional experience for refugees while also enriching the spiritual life of those who sponsor. This partnership with dioceses and parishes is the key ingredient of the EMM program.
EMM works in coalition with other church and community based agencies in opposing policies which disenfranchise immigrants by denying them access to the services and benefits to which they contribute as taxpayers. If you are interested in joining EMM’s Action Network and receiving periodic Action Bulletins, click here to join our e-mail list. Also, joining the Public Policy Network of the Episcopal Church (give source info) will enable you to receive period alerts which are sent to all Episcopalians interested in refugee and immigration issues.
As we live into our commitment to be the body of Christ, we offer our prayers and our resources to accompanying those who are surely among those persons whom our Lord has called us to serve.
