This document provides information about an Advent advocacy update webinar on Syrian refugees and refugee resettlement. It includes introductions of the presenters, an agenda, a review of existing educational resources, a gathering reflection, information on the current state of play regarding refugee policy, and ways individuals can help through advocacy, volunteering, or donations. The goal is to educate and provide avenues for Episcopalians to support refugees.

1. ADVENT ADVOCACY UPDATE
Syrian Refugees & Refugee Resettlement

2. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
H o u s e k e e p i n g
• Webinar being recorded, will be posted to
www.vimeo.com/EMMRefugees
• Mute
• Please tweet along:
• #RefugeesWelcome
• Questions? Use questions box in GoToWebinar. Technical
issues will be addressed throughout; content questions will be
discussed at the end of the presentation. Need assistance?
Email Wendy Johnson, wjohnson@episcopalchurch.org.

3. Lacy Broemel is the Manager for
Communications and Operations in
the Episcopal Church’s Office of
Government Relations. Lacy was born
in Nashville, TN and received a
degree in history and women’s studies
from Sewanee. In her role in the
Office of Government Relations, Lacy
works most closely with the Episcopal
Public Policy Network, a grassroots
network of Episcopalians dedicated to
justice and peace.
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
I n t r o d u c t i o n s

4. Allison Duvall serves as the
Manager for Church Relations and
Engagement for Episcopal
Migration Ministries, the refugee
resettlement service of the Domestic
and Foreign Missionary Society. She
is responsible for supporting the
community engagement programs of
30 local resettlement partners, as
well as equipping Episcopalians
across the country to engage in this
ministry of welcome. She resides in
the Diocese of Lexington
(Kentucky) with her husband, Clay.
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
I n t r o d u c t i o n s

5. Wendy Johnson is the Communications
Manager for Episcopal Migration Ministries,
the refugee resettlement service of the
Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society.
She is responsible for maintaining the online
presence for Episcopal Migration Ministries
and for supporting their network of 30 local
resettlement partners. She has a background
in nonprofit strategic communications and has
worked in a variety of capacities within The
Episcopal Church for more than 15 years. She
has a Master’s degree in political science
from The Ohio State University.
M IS S IO N & A D V O C A C Y t o S U P P O RT R E F U G E E S
I n t r o d u c t i o n s

6. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
C o l l a b o r a t i v e P a r t n e r s h i p s

7. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
C o l l a b o r a t i v e P a r t n e r s h i p s

8. 1. Review of Existing Educational Resources
2. A Gathering Reflection
3. Advocacy: Current State-of-Play & How You Can Help
4. Advent Reflection and Our Calling
5. Conclusion
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
A g e n d a a t a G l a n c e

9. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
E x i s t i n g E d u c a t i o n a l R e s o u r c e s
Advocacy
• Episcopal Public Policy Network
• RCUSA Toolkit
• USCRI Security Screening Fact Sheet; Security Screening Infographics
October 15 webinar, “Mission & Advocacy to Support Refugees”
• On-Demand Video: http://bit.ly/CrisisWebinarVideo
• Prayers of the People for Refugees
• How You Can Help
• Background on Refugee Crisis
November 23 webinar, “Rapid Response Webinar: Syrian Refugees”
• On-Demand Video: http://bit.ly/RapidResponse2
• Advocacy Resources
Resources for Congregations, Available by Request (aduvall@episcopalchurch.org)
• Gifts Discernment Activity
• Best Practices for Congregations Engaging in Ministry of Welcome
• Checklist for Congregations

10. A Gathering Reflection
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
A G a t h e r i n g R e f l e c t i o n

11. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
H o w C a n Yo u H e l p ?
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying,
“Whom shall I send; and who will go for us?”
And I said, “Here am I; send me.”
Isaiah 6:8
Photo: Wendy Johnson

12. How Can You Help?
Advocacy
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
H o w C a n Yo u H e l p ?

13. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
C u r r e n t S t a t e o f P l a y
States where governors have expressed opposition and
support to Syrian refugees.
Orange = opposed
Green = supporting

14. Harmful legislation has passed in the House of Representatives.
Your voice of compassion is needed as the Senate and House are working on an
“Omnibus” appropriations bill.
H.R. 4038 - American SAFE Act of 2015
(Rep. McCaul, R-TX, and Rep. Hudson, R-NC)
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
C u r r e n t S t a t e o f P l a y

15. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’ s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y
You can take action right now by writing, calling, tweeting, and
more!

16. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’ s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y
You can take action right now by writing, calling, tweeting, and
more!

17. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’ s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y
Calls are needed to your elected officials as decisions are being made that will impact the
lives of refugees.
Find the number to dial to reach your members of Congress and
your governor on our website.
• Sample script: “I’m a constituent from [City] and I support Syrian refugees. I am opposed
to any bill or provision in the upcoming funding bill that would stop or halt the resettlement of
refugees based on their nationality or religion. I urge the Senator / Representative / Governor
to represent me and other constituents who seek to welcome Syrian refugees.”
Find all avenues for advocacy at:
http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/RefugeeAdvocacy
Call Your Elected Official

18. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
E p i s c o p a l C h u r c h ’ s M i n i s t r y o f A d v o c a c y
Tweet
#RefugeesWelcome
#AmericaWelcomes
Follow
@TheEPPN
@EMMRefugees
Find all avenues for advocacy at:
http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org/RefugeeAdvocacy
Get Online

19. • Learn
• Use on-demand video of October 15’s “Mission and Advocacy to Support Refugees”
webinar as educational tool, follow-up with discussion and plans for mission and
advocacy; November 23 “Rapid Response Webinar” and Advent Advocacy Update
series for more in-depth discussion of current advocacy concerns
• “How You Can Help,” “Backgrounder,” “Prayers of the People”
• By special request: email Allison Duvall for resources for congregations –
aduvall@episcopalchurch.org
• Give
• Time – volunteer at local office
• Talent – discern individual and collective gifts and resources you can bring to the
life-saving ministry of resettlement
• Treasure – donate to United Thank Offering Challenge for EMM; donate to your
local resettlement office
• Speak Out, Step Up, Support
• Advocacy
• Letters to the Editor, blog posts, social media; find allies and stand with them
• Support local resettlement – even by simple gifts of kindness and statements of
support
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
H o w C a n Yo u H e l p ?

20. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
H o w C a n Yo u H e l p ?

21. Submit checks to:
United Thank Offering
DFMS – Protestant Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
Check notation: UTO-EMM
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
U n i t e d T h a n k O f f e r i n g C h a l l e n g e G r a n t
Submit checks to:
United Thank Offering
The Episcopal Church
815 Second Avenue
New York City, New York 10017
Check notation: UTO-EMM
Online giving: https://episcopalchurch.thankyou4caring.org
Or donate by mailing a check to one of the addresses below:
United Thank Offering Special Challenge

22. Submit checks to:
United Thank Offering
DFMS – Protestant Episcopal Church
P.O. Box 958983
St. Louis, MO 63195-8983
Check notation: UTO-EMM
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
U n i t e d T h a n k O f f e r i n g C h a l l e n g e G r a n t
Submit checks to:
United Thank Offering
The Episcopal Church
815 Second Avenue
New York City, New York 10017
Check notation: UTO-EMM
Online giving: https://episcopalchurch.thankyou4caring.org
Or donate by mailing a check to one of the addresses below:
United Thank Offering Special Challenge

23. Stay tuned…
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
S t a y t u n e d f o r E p i p h a n y
Epiphany resources for Christian formation,
bulletin inserts, prayer & worship

24. This is the ministry into which we were baptized.
• Continue to make your compassion, your welcome, and your support of
refugee resettlement known
• Stand with your Muslim brothers and sisters
• Be a gathering place for your community to come together to learn, to
grow in understanding, to build relationships and create a just and
compassionate community for all
• Form ecumenical and interfaith relationships
• Reach out to your local EMM affiliate or resettlement agency to learn how
to be involved
• Discern your gifts, prepare to welcome a refugee family through
donations, mentorship, volunteering, co-sponsorship
• And much, much more. Let us know!
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
S t a n d w i t h Yo u r N e i g h b o r s

25. Advent Reflection &
Our Calling
A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
A d v e n t R e f l e c t i o n
A Blessing for Work
From John O’Donohue’s To Bless the Space Between Us

26. M IS S IO N & A D V O C A C Y t o S U P P O RT R E F U G E E S
Q u e s t i o n s & R e s p o n s e
Post your questions
in the chat box
or #RefugeesWelcome
Photo: Wendy Johnson

27. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
F o l l o w - U p
Lacy Broemel
Manager for Communications and Operations
lbroemel@episcopalchurch.org, (202) 547-7300
Allison Duvall
Manager for Church Relations & Engagement
aduvall@episcopalchurch.org, (212) 716-6027

28. A D V E N T A D V O C A C Y U P D AT E
F o l l o w - U p
www.episcopalchurch.org
Episcopal Public Policy Network
www.advocacy.episcopalchurch.org
Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheEPPN
Twitter: @TheEPPN
Episcopal Migration Ministries
www.episcopalchurch.org/emm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EMMRefugees
Twitter: @EMMRefugees
Video: www.vimeo.com/EMMRefugees