Join the Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries on Tuesday, May 19 at 4PM ET for Immigrant Detention during COVID-19: Prophetic Action & Compassionate Response. This seventy-five-minute webinar will include clergy and lay leaders from the Dioceses of Georgia, Ohio, and Western Louisiana with professional and ministry background in different models of detention visitation ministry.

“For four years, I have walked alongside women and men suffering in immigrant detention centers and have witnessed directly the inhumane and unjust conditions they endure as they await court hearings or deportation,” said The Rev. Leeann Culbreath, deacon in the Episcopal Diocese of Georgia. “As the coronavirus spreads, they are trapped in crowded dorms with extremely limited medical care while corrections corporations, profit from their detention. Through their desperate voices crying out for help in this moment, Jesus invites the church to join his ministry of liberation: to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free.”

The online presentation will provide viewers with an overview of our country’s immigration detention system, including reports of inhumane conditions in privately-owned prison facilities; an understanding of the reasons immigrants may be detained and how they may be released; and, a discussion of the situation in detention facilities during COVID-19.

“Although we are not a parish known for our advocacy work, the Spirit twice in a matter of months called us into relationship with detainees in our county,” said The Rev. Aaron Gerlach, Rector of Old Trinity Episcopal Church in Tiffin, Ohio. “I and the other presenters look forward to sharing what we have learned with you in order that you may feel empowered to do the work God is calling you to do.”

Practical actions anyone can take in support of our siblings in detention will also be discussed.

Registration is required and available here. Participants are invited to email questions for the panelists in advance to emmwebinars@episcopalchurch.org.

The webinar will be available on-demand following the event. 

About Episcopal Migration Ministries:
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) lives the call of welcome by supporting refugees, immigrants, and the communities that embrace them as they walk together in The Episcopal Church’s movement to create loving, liberating, and life-giving relationships rooted in compassion. EMM’s desire to honor the inherent value of human connection brings communities together to love their neighbors as themselves.

To directly support EMM and its life-changing work, visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text ‘EMM’ to 41444 (standard messaging and data may rates apply).

About the Office of Government Relations:
The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. We aim to shape and influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. All policy positions are based on General Convention and Executive Council resolutions, the legislative and governing bodies of the Church.