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Bonus: The Rev. Chris Bishop & Stand with Iraqi Christians Jun 04, 2018

Show notes

We’re excited to release this bonus episode, featuring our conversation with The Rev. Chris Bishop, reflection author from Episode 10 (titled "A Home for All of Us"), as he shares more about his work with displaced Christian communities in Iraq. Learn about his organization, Stand with Iraqi Christians: http://standwithiraqichristians.org/ ------------------------------------- We also mention in this episode: Mad Priest Coffee (https://madpriestcoffee.com/), a coffee shop and roastery in Chattanooga, Tennessee, whose mission is “Craft Excellent Coffee. Educate the Curious. Champion the Displaced.” They not only educate customers about the global refugee crisis and refugee resettlement, but they also hire former refugees. And - they’re expanding, which means they can grow their mission and their business and hire more New Americans. Check out their Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1813681640/the-mad-priest-coffee-and-cocktails General Convention: Are you going to The Episcopal Church’s General Convention? We’ll be there and we’d love to meet you! Visit our booth in the Exhibit Hall (booth 410) to learn more about EMM’s work, enjoy excellent coffee from Mad Priest Coffee Roasters, enter into some drawings for remastered prints of the iconic vintage “In the name of these refugees, aid all refugees” poster, try delicious food from a refugee-owned business, get some cool swag, and more. You might even get featured on a Facebook Live or get to say share why you #supportrefugees on a podcast episode. -------------------------------------------- Save the Date: Monday, June 18, 4pm Eastern FREE WEBINAR: Our 1939 Moment: Continuing the Legacy of Welcome This webinar will be a conversation about the history and present of the Episcopal Church’s legacy of refugee welcome. We will offer information, inspiration, and specific ways you can claim this legacy and this work as your own. Register at http://bit.ly/1939webinar And if you’re not the webinar type - don’t worry - we’ll repackage it for you and release it on June 20. Watch your podcast feed! --------------------- Get ready for World Refugee Day! Check out EMM’s World Refugee Day page: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday. Support EMM One thing you could do for World Refugee Day is invite others to join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com. Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: emmrefugees Stay in touch with the Good Book Club! They’re coming back next liturgical year: www.goodbookclub.org.

Speaking Truth May 23, 2018

Show notes

#RoyalWedding preacher reprise - Before Presiding Bishop Curry was known around the world as the Royal Wedding preacher, he, of course, was - and is! - the beloved Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. Months ago, he was also our scripture reflection author for our Palm Sunday episode (look for “Precious Lord” in your podcast feed). Today we’re releasing a special post-Season 1 bonus episode to replay Bishop Curry’s stirring reflection, and also to bring you an important backgrounder from Laetitia Mizero Hellerud, who is an author, activist, teacher, seeker, and was our interview guest in Episode 15 - “Drop Your Anchor.” We hope you enjoy this bonus listen. We begin with Bishop Curry then turn to Laetitia’s backgrounder on her native Burundi. We encourage you to go back and listen to her interview, too. Bonus Presiding Bishop Curry’s 2017 message for World Refugee Day - https://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/video/world-refugee-day-2017. Stay tuned for his 2018 message! Laetitia is the author of Being at Home in the World: Cross-Cultural Leadership Lessons to Guide Your Journey. Learn more about Laetitia at https://laetitiahellerud.com/, and find her book on Amazon here: http://a.co/hvbUFXW. Get ready for World Refugee Day! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday. Every year, World Refugee Day is observed on June 20. This is an important day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees to communities all over the world - and for us to deepen our commitment to the work of welcome and refugee resettlement. We hope you’ll participate in or organize something to celebrate the day! It could be a small gathering, including Prayers of the People for Refugees and Displaced Persons in your Sunday worship, taking up a special Refugee Sunday collection to support EMM, host a film viewing, and so much more! Support EMM Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. -------------------------------- Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com. Special thanks to Whit Whitaker for offering his vocal talents. His soulful singing of the hymn Precious Lord is a moving complement to the Presiding Bishop’s reflection. Learn more about Whit Whitaker on our blog, https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/2545-2-2-2/. Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: emmrefugees Stay in touch with the Good Book Club! They’re coming back next liturgical year: www.goodbookclub.org.

Drop Your Anchor May 21, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This is the last episode in Season 1! Stay subscribed - we’ll release special episodes throughout the summer, including from General Convention! Pentecost Sunday is the last day of this round of the Good Book Club. Scripture readings: Acts 27:13—28:44. Scripture reflection To close out the first season of Hometown, hosts Allison & Kendall discuss the end of Acts as metaphor, searching for a place to drop your anchor, Burundi, how beautiful and overwhelming it is to be welcomed and made to feel at home, and how we’re called to create home for others. Interview This last interview in season 1 is special. We speak with Laetitia Mizero Hellerud, an activist, learner, teacher, seeker, and social justice advocate. Laetitia is the author of Being at Home in the World: Cross-Cultural Leadership Lessons to Guide Your Journey. “As a four-time refugee, change and adaptation has become a way of life for Laetitia Mizero Hellerud. Having to adapt to this way of thinking since childhood, she learned to rely on her own decisions and, at the same time, accept the love and help of others to survive. In Being at Home in the World, Laetitia shares what she has learned about adaptation about finding your home in the midst of chaos and struggle. It starts with an open mind and an open heart.” Learn more about Laetitia at https://laetitiahellerud.com/, and find her book on Amazon here: http://a.co/hvbUFXW. Get ready for World Refugee Day! Check out EMM’s World Refugee Day page: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday. Every year, World Refugee Day is observed on June 20. This is an important day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees to communities all over the world - and for us to deepen our commitment to the work of welcome and refugee resettlement. We hope you’ll participate in or organize something to celebrate the day! It could be a small gathering, including Prayers of the People for Refugees and Displaced Persons in your Sunday worship, taking up a special Refugee Sunday collection to support EMM, host a film viewing, and so much more! Support EMM One thing you could do for World Refugee Day is invite others to join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. -------------------------------- Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com. Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: emmrefugees Stay in touch with the Good Book Club! They’re coming back next liturgical year: www.goodbookclub.org.

How Are You Called? May 14, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 21:27—Acts 27:12 Reflection author This week’s reflection comes from The Rev. Canon Dr. Michael Barlowe, Executive Officer of General Convention and Secretary of the Domestic and Foreign Missionary Society. The Rev. Canon Michael Barlowe was appointed executive officer of the General Convention of the Episcopal Church in December 2012 by Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and the Rev. Gay Clark Jennings, president of the House of Deputies. Canon Barlowe, who was the Diocese of California’s canon to the ordinary from 2006-2012, was, before his appointment as executive officer, an elected member of Executive Council and a deputy to General Convention from the Diocese of California. Interview We’re delighted to welcome to the podcast Betsy Ashton. Betsy Ashton is a portrait artist based in New York City. Betsy has had an interesting career both in and out of the art world, and last year decided to stop taking commissioned portrait jobs so she could focus on telling the stories of immigrants and refugees through her work. The first ten of these portraits that make up Betsy’s exhibit Portraits of Immigrants: Unknown Faces, Untold Stories opens May 17th in New York City as part of the Long Island City Arts Open Festival.The first full exhibition of all 18 Portraits of Immigrants will open in Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue next January, and then the exhibition is going on the road. -------------------------------- Get ready for World Refugee Day! Every year, World Refugee Day is observed on June 20. This is an important day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees to communities all over the world - and for us to deepen our commitment to the work of welcome and refugee resettlement. This year EMM will release a number of resources: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday. We hope you’ll participate in or organize something to celebrate the day! It could be a small gathering, including Prayers of the People for Refugees and Displaced Persons in your Sunday worship, taking up a special Refugee Sunday collection to support EMM, host a film viewing, and so much more! One thing you could do for World Refugee Day is invite others to join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. And support refugee artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs! Like our theme song composer, Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.

Put Prayer Into Action May 07, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 16:16-Acts 21:26 Reflection author This week’s reflection comes from The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings., president of the House of Deputies.The Rev. Gay Clark Jennings was elected president of the House of Deputies by her peers at the 77th General Convention of the Episcopal Church in 2012, and at the 78th General Convention in 2015, she was reelected by acclimation. She is the first ordained woman to hold the position. As president, she is committed to fostering a new generation of leaders in the Episcopal Church and encouraging the church’s work for justice through the actions of General Convention and the work of Episcopalians throughout the church. She works closely with the elected and appointed leaders who serve the church between conventions, with more than 850 members of the House of Deputies, and with the presiding bishop and other church leaders. Interview We’re delighted to welcome to the podcast Tara Dhungana. Tara lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife Menuake (a full time nursing student) and 2 small children. Tara works for Columbus Refugee and IMmigration Services managing the ESL and employment program, helping refugees gain employment and self-sufficiency as soon as possible. Tara also owns a restaurant and works in real estate. Tara became a US citizen in December 2017. Get ready for World Refugee Day! Every year, World Refugee Day is observed on June 20. This is an important day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees to communities all over the world - and for us to deepen our commitment to the work of welcome and refugee resettlement. This year EMM will release a number of resources: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday. We hope you’ll participate in or organize something to celebrate the day! It could be a small gathering, including Prayers of the People for Refugees and Displaced Persons in your Sunday worship, taking up a special Refugee Sunday collection to support EMM, host a film viewing, and so much more! One thing you could do for World Refugee Day is invite others to join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. And support refugee artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs! Like our theme song composer, Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com. -------------------------------- Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club.

What Are You Willing to Risk? Apr 23, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 10:17-Acts 13:12. Reflection author This week’s reflection author is Julia Ayala Harris. Julia serves on the Executive Council of The Episcopal Church, served on the Task Force for Reimagining the Episcopal Church (TREC), and is on the Diocese of Oklahoma Episcopal Church Women (ECW) Board. Learn more about Julia on our blog this week - www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog. You can find Julia on Twitter @ayala_harris. On today’s episode, we continue our conversation with Antigona Mehani. We encourage you to go back in your podcast feed and listen to “Once Upon a Time” for background on Antigona’s native Kosovo, and “A Home for All of Us” for the first part of our conversation. Get ready for World Refugee Day! Every year, World Refugee Day is observed on June 20. This is an important day to celebrate the strength, resilience, and contributions of refugees to communities all over the world - and for us to deepen our commitment to the work of welcome and refugee resettlement. This year EMM will release a number of resources: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/worldrefugeeday. We hope you’ll participate in or organize something to celebrate the day! It could be a small gathering, including Prayers of the People for Refugees and Displaced Persons in your Sunday worship, taking up a special Refugee Sunday collection to support EMM, host a film viewing, and so much more! One thing you could do for World Refugee Day is invite others to join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. And support refugee artists, musicians, and entrepreneurs! Like our theme song composer, Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com. -------------------------------- Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees Good Book Club: www.goodbookclub.org, www.facebook.com/thegoodbookclub

A Home for All of Us Apr 15, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 7:1 - Acts 10:16 Reflection author This week’s reflection author is The Rev. Christopher Bishop, Rector of St. Martin’s Church in the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania and Founder and President of Stand with Iraqi Christians. We hope you enjoy this week’s reflection. On today’s episode, we interview Antigona Mehani, who is originally from Kosovo and came to the United States as a child. Support EMM and be a voice of welcome for newly arrived refugees through a virtual gift for friends or family. Show your support to our new neighbors with a tax-deductible gift that provides security and comfort during the first few months of transition. Order online: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/gifts-for- welcome Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees Good Book Club: www.goodbookclub.org, www.facebook.com/thegoodbookclub

Once Upon a Time … Apr 08, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 4:23 - Acts 6 Reflection author This week’s reflection author is The Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers. Canon Spellers serves as the Presiding Bishop’s Canon for Evangelism, Reconciliation and Creation, helping Episcopalians to follow Jesus and foster loving, life-giving and liberating relationships with God, each other and the earth. We hope you enjoy this week’s reflection. On today’s episode, we provide background on Kosovo in connection to refugees in advance of next week’s episode. Information comes from Encyclopedia Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/place/Kosovo Support EMM and be a voice of welcome for newly arrived refugees through a virtual gift for friends or family. Show your support to our new neighbors with a tax-deductible gift that provides security and comfort during the first few months of transition. Order online: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/gifts-for-welcome Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com -------------------------------- Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees Good Book Club: www.goodbookclub.org, www.facebook.com/thegoodbookclub

New Life Apr 01, 2018

Show notes

Happy Easter! Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Acts 1:1-Acts 4:22 Reflection author This week’s reflection author is The Rev. Canon Jason Lewis, the Canon for Congregational Vitality in the Diocese of Kentucky. Canon Jason serves chairs the Department of Mission and Evangelism and collaborates with congregational leadership to empower and sustain ongoing and thriving ministry that connects with urban neighborhoods, rural towns, and cities throughout the western half of Kentucky. He has a passion for walking alongside congregations through strategic planning and intentional ministry development. Learn more about Canon Jason and read his reflection on our blog (www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog). Interview guest We are grateful to Jacqueline Kifuko for joining us today as our interview guest. Jackie is originally from Uganda, but now lives in Columbus, Ohio, where she serves as the Refugee Community Organizer for Community Refugee & Immigration Services (http://cris-ohio.org/). Thank you, Jackie, for joining us! Support EMM This Easter, we invite you to celebrate EMM’s ministry of bringing hope and new life to refugees by making a donation! No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 51555. If you make a gift, tell us why! Around St. Patrick’s Day, a supporter of EMM posted on Facebook that she was making a donation to EMM in honor of her Irish immigrant ancestors, who faced great hardship and discrimination when they were newcomers to this country. Her story illustrated just how much EMM’s work connects to the American story, and to so many of our own individual family stories. Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com -------------------------------- Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees Good Book Club: www.goodbookclub.org, www.facebook.com/thegoodbookclub

Hold On - Holy Week Bonus Episode Mar 29, 2018

Show notes

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This Holy Week we are bringing you this special bonus episode to share a new song from Abraham Mwinda Ikando and a poignant interview with Emily Jones, the immigration attorney at Kentucky Refugee Ministries in Lexington. This episode added a new dimension to our Holy Week journey, and we hope it deepens your walk with Christ. For those around the world who live in fear, who suffer, whose homes have been stripped from them - our hearts cry out. We see you, we remember you, we pray and lift our voices for you. May we all move forward in faith that an Easter moment will dawn. “Hold On” by Abraham Mwinda Ikando He’s heard of a place better than this Free from hate and poverty Children play and live in peace No gunshots flying in the streets She wakes up every morning, falls to her knees Prays to God, “Please make the pain freeze,” Save her from the misery Change her reality So, hold on, and be strong, and never give up hope Someday you’ll get to go home, You’ll get to go home So, hold on, and be strong, and never give up hope Someday you’ll get to go home, You’ll get to go home Support EMM This Holy Week, we invite you to support refugees through a donation to EMM. Join us as we welcome our newest neighbors, teach about welcome, and speak out in support of refugee resettlement. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. ------------------------------- Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees Good Book Club: www.goodbookclub.org, www.facebook.com/thegoodbookclub

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