Registration is now open for “Love God, Love Neighbor: Advocacy in Action,” a two-day interactive training for clergy and laity interested in developing or improving their advocacy skills and having the opportunity to advocate directly to members of Congress and their staff about protections for refugees.

Sponsored by the Office of Government Relations in partnership with Episcopal Migration Ministries, “Love God, Love Neighbor: Advocacy in Action” will be held Thursday-Friday, June 27-28, in Washington, D.C., with the option to attend the One Journey Festival on Saturday, June 29. This day-long festival, held on the grounds of the National Cathedral, celebrates refugee contributions.

Program overview

On Thursday, June 27, the focus is on building advocacy skills, including: intensive and in-depth media and messaging training for advocacy, briefings on current urgent issues affecting refugees, and an Advocacy 101 educational session to prepare for congressional visits on Capitol Hill and advocacy work at home. 

On Friday, June 28, participants will put these skills into action, meeting directly with their senators, representative, and/or their staff to advocate for specific U.S. policies to protect refugees.

Open to both Episcopalians and the Church’s ecumenical partners, this training presents an opportunity to learn from working together, strengthens our ability to influence policy regarding protections for refugees, and builds community and relationships that will continue on after the training ends.

Registration information

To register, please visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/LGLN.  Space is limited, so please submit your registration as soon as possible.  Registration is $75 and includes all training, programming, and materials and lunch on Thursday. Beverages and snacks will also be provided. Participants are responsible for all other expenses including housing and transportation.

Registration deadline is May 17 at 5:00 pm Eastern. Please contact Melissa Coulston, coordinator for Love God, Love Neighbor at: lovegodloveneighboremm@gmail.com with questions related to this training.

The Office of Government Relations represents the policy priorities of The Episcopal Church to the U.S. government in Washington, D.C. This office aims to shape and influence policy and legislation on critical issues, highlighting the voices and experiences of Episcopalians and Anglicans globally. All of its work is grounded in the resolutions of General Convention and Executive Council, the legislative and governing bodies of the church. Connecting Episcopalians to their faith by educating, equipping and engaging them to do the work of advocacy through the Episcopal Public Policy Network (EPPN) is a key aspect of this work. 

Episcopal Migration Ministries is a ministry of The Episcopal Church and is one of nine national agencies responsible for resettling refugees in the United States in partnership with the government. Episcopal Migration Ministries currently has 13 resettlement affiliates in 11 dioceses.