Dear friends in Christ,

Regardless of worldly powers, we know that our fealty and devotion is always to Jesus Christ, and that the love of God is our highest rule. Loving the image of God in our neighbors is our daily practice.

A number of agencies of the Episcopal Church work diligently and specifically to make the mercy of God manifest to those most in need of it. Many of you, too, have been looking for ways to support, for example, immigrants, members of the LGBTQ community, those trapped in poverty or homelessness, those on death row, etc, as we look toward a new year and a new political administration.

This is a summary of just a few opportunities to become informed and engaged with the work of the Episcopal Church in the coming weeks and months. If you know of others that should be added, please do let me know. If you would like to be connected to others working across our Diocese in similar areas, I’d be glad to help with that as I am able.

Let us continue to seek and serve Christ in all our neighbors, and to uphold the dignity of every human being, being reminded at this season of the Epiphany of the reach and breadth and depth of God’s love for the whole world.

Rosalind + 

Webinar invitation: ‘Defending the Dignity of Trans and Non-Binary People in 2025 and Beyond’ Monday, January 13, 7:00 - 9:30 p.m. ET

Episcopalians and all others interested in justice for women, LGBTQ+ justice, and social justice are invited to join this webinar to learn from gender justice leaders within and beyond The Episcopal Church about the current legislative terrain in the U.S. impacting these areas and the work that can be done to uphold the dignity of all God’s children.

Learn more and register online.

Webinar Invitation: Family Preparedness: Supporting Newcomer Neighbors Wednesday, January 8, 1:00 - 2:30 p.m. ET

Join Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Washington National Cathedral Sanctuary Ministry to discuss how you can support immigrant neighbors in your congregation and community in developing a family preparedness plan. Regardless of immigration status, it is important for families to take steps to plan for unknown and uncertain policy changes and enforcement actions of the incoming administration. This workshop will orient you to various considerations when making a family preparedness plan, including gathering important documents, making a care plan for children, and establishing power of attorney. The webinar is provided for informational purposes only and nothing in the presentation should be interpreted as legal advice.

Coming Soon: Walking With: Migrant Accompaniment for Ministry Leaders in 2025 and Beyond Friday, January 17, 12:00 p.m. ET

This webinar is designed for ordained and lay ministry leaders. The presentation will offer basics on the US immigration system, Know Your Rights information, as well as practical suggestions for ministry leaders when an undocumented person or recent migrant requests assistance and how to handle a situation if ICE comes to a place of worship or ministry.

Presenters are lawyers from the American Immigration Lawyers Association: Attorney Kathryn Weber, from Scott Pollack and Associates, is the chair of the AILA Refugee and Asylum committee; Attorney Christopher Elmore, E.Z.Law, LLC

Registration link forthcoming

Ongoing Immigration Updates from the Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries begin Tuesday, January 7 at 1:00 p.m. ET and continue every other week via Zoom.

Please join Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Government Relations for regular 30-minute updates on U.S. immigration policy and the responses in our churches and communities. Spanish interpretation will be available. 

The Office of Government Relations has toolkits for supporting refugees and migrants in our communities. Its website states:

As we look ahead to a new presidential administration and congress, we anticipate many changes in immigration policy that may cause a great deal of harm to those in our communities. Episcopalians across the church have expressed concern for immigrants including refugees, TPS holders, DACA recipients, and those here without authorization. Below you will find resources and opportunities for action that may help your congregations, networks, and communities to respond now and in the months ahead. Please be in touch with us eppn@episcopalchurch.org if you have other suggestions or resources to share. The Episcopal Church has long stood with immigrants, including through refugee resettlement with Episcopal Migration Ministries. Our commitment to immigrants remains unwavering, and we hope you will join us in taking action.

Episcopal Migration Ministries hosts monthly network gatherings to share resources and support. Its website states:

We Welcome. We Educate. We Advocate.

Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) is the refugee resettlement and migration ministry of The Episcopal Church. Since 1988, EMM has resettled more than 100,000 individuals to communities across the United States. In addition to its long-standing work in refugee resettlement ministry, EMM is The Episcopal Church’s convening place for collaboration, education, and information-sharing on migration.