Episcopal Migration Ministries will host a webinar on Thursday, Jan. 20, from 2-3 p.m. ET for those interested in learning more about how to provide support and welcome to Afghan individuals through a new sponsorship initiative.

Episcopal Migration Ministries’ Neighbor to Neighbor program, which connects Episcopal congregations with asylum seekers for friendship and support, is now an official Sponsor Circle Umbrella under the Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans. This initiative is a partnership between the U.S. State Department and Community Sponsorship Hub, a project of Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Inc.

Through this new program, individuals are able to form sponsor circles to provide initial resettlement assistance to Afghans as they arrive and build new lives in local communities. Many evacuated Afghans are at military bases across the U.S., awaiting placement.

“We are honored to work in partnership with Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM),” said Sarah Krause, executive director of Community Sponsorship Hub. “This is an historic moment, and communities across the United States are eager to be part of the solution by welcoming Afghan newcomers as their new neighbors. This partnership will have life-changing impact on the community groups who certify as Sponsor Circles and the Afghans they welcome. We are grateful to EMM for their leadership and dedication.”

The webinar will include a panel discussion moderated by the Rev. Charles K. Robertson, canon to the presiding bishop for Ministry Beyond the Episcopal Church, followed by a Q&A session. The panel includes:

• The Rev. Chris McNabb, missioner for Neighbor to Neighbor, Episcopal Migration Ministries
• Beth Frank, program director, Sponsor Circle Program for Afghans, Community Sponsorship Hub
• Brian Dyck, national migration and resettlement program director, Mennonite Central Committee Canada

“I’m excited for this unique moment in the mission of Episcopal Migration Ministries,” McNabb said. “We’re excited to partner with Community Sponsorship Hub to welcome newly arriving Afghans. We’re eager to continue working with our existing congregational partners already welcoming our newest neighbors, and we can’t wait to see the other faith communities that will sign up to work with us in this historical effort.”

Webinar registration is required. Register online.

About Episcopal Migration Ministries
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 has 11 affiliate offices in nine states. In addition to its long-standing work in refugee resettlement ministry, Episcopal Migration Ministries is The Episcopal Church’s convening place for collaboration, education, and information-sharing on migration.

To give: Those interested in supporting the work of EMM with Afghan individuals can make a donation online to the Afghan Allies Fund or by texting “EMMALLIES’ to 41444. To directly support EMM, visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give, or text “EMM” to 41444 (standard messaging and data may rates apply).