June is full of events leading up to World Refugee Day – do not miss out on these opportunities to learn more about current refugee crises, raise your voice in support of protection and resettlement for refugees, and celebrate the contributions of immigrants and refugees.

 

1. Advocacy Calendar
2. Resources

1. Advocacy Calendar

   Saturday, June 20 is World Refugee Day. Each year The Episcopal Church joins organizations and individuals across the world in celebrating World Refugee Day. Mark your calendar for this day that The Most Rev. Katharine Jefferts Schori calls an “annual opportunity to examine the dire global and regional conflicts and persecutions that create refugees, and to celebrate the resilience and success of the former refugees who bless communities in our midst with the riches of their earned wisdom, energy and spirit.”

   • The Episcopal Migration Ministries’ World Refugee Day 2015 website has all the resources you need to engage in World Refugee Day, including:
     • Worship resources: bulletin inserts in English and Spanish; sermon starters; prayers of the people
     • An interactive map of World Refugee Day events across the country
     • Updates from the Share the Journey Pilgrimage
    

   Events in advance of World Refugee Day:

   • Monday, June 15th at 4 PM EDT –Interfaith Immigration Coalition Webinar: Standing in Solidarity with Refugees on World Refugee Day and Beyond. This webinar will include advocacy updates about Syrian refugees, protections for Central American children and families fleeing violence, and positive refugee legislation in the 114th Congress. Our expert panel will discuss how people of faith can advocate around these important issues and information about events across the country and best practices in advance of National Refugee Advocacy week will be shared.
     • Please RSVP here: Call In Number: 805-399-1000, Code 104402
   • Tuesday, June 16th at 6 PM EDT- World Refugee Day Virtual Town Hall featuring Congressman Keith Ellison (MN-05). Join Refugee Council USA (RCUSA) and Congressman Keith Ellison for a virtual town hall to celebrate World Refugee Day and discuss the importance of his bill— the Strengthening Refugee Resettlement Act of 2015. Representative Ellison will be joined by two of his constituents that will share their experiences as refugees in Minnesota, followed by a discussion of the refugee experience in the U.S., the vital services that help them succeed, the positive impacts of refugees in our communities, and what individuals around the country can do to welcome refugees.
     • Click here to RSVP for the town hall and to submit questions for Representative Ellison. The call-in number will be sent via email to those who registers in advance.
   • Thursday, June 18th at 3pm EDT- Join our Twitterchat! On Thursday, June 18th join a nationwide World Refugee Day Twitterchat to learn more about who refugees are, current refugee populations, the refugee resettlement program and the role that refugee resettlement agencies like Episcopal Migration Ministries play in the life-saving program.
     • Participate by following and using the hash tag: #refugeechat
   • June is Immigrant Heritage Month– share your immigration story via the website and learn more about events throughout the month.
    

   June 27-July 3 is National Refugee Advocacy Week! Your Senators and Representative will be home June 27-July 3, the week after World Refugee Day. Take this opportunity to meet with them to discuss important refugee policy and funding issues, introduce them to a refugee, or invite them to an event in advance of World Refugee Day on June 20. No time to set up a meeting? Give them a call and tell them why you support refugee resettlement and immigrant and refugee welcoming communities.

   Sample invitations and meeting requests, talking points on important refugee legislation and funding advocacy, and sample tweets to help you join the national conversation can be found in the World Refugee Day Toolkit. Please let me know if you schedule a meeting or your member attends an event so that I can make sure their DC office also knows about the great work you’re doing!

   • World Refugee Day Toolkit
   • Find your Representative and Senators here

2. Resources

   • Victims of human trafficking are also served under the refugee program in the United States. The Episcopal Public Policy Network has created a resource page for those across the Church engaged in combating human trafficking
   • The White House Task Force on Integration released their report in April 2015, detailing the benefits immigrants and refugees bring to our community as well as outlining ways in which we can make our communities more welcoming, aiding integration.
     • Read the report here
     • Join the on-line conversations and message boards about integration here
   • UNHCR Tracks shares the stories and journeys of refugees across the world. Meet the refugees and hear their stories.

 

Please contact Katie Conway, Immigration and Refugee Policy Analyst, at kconway@episcopalchurch.org for more information.