HomeTown

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

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

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

This is a special bonus episode featuring an action alert from Lacy Broemel, Refugee and Immigration Policy Advisor for the Office of Government Relations for the Episcopal Church. Stay informed and sign up for action alerts through the Episcopal Public Policy Network at: http://advocacy.episcopalchurch.org

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 22:47 through the end of Luke’s Gospel. This week’s reflection author is a man who perhaps needs no introduction. We are honored to welcome The Most Rev. Michael Bruce Curry, Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church, to the podcast to offer the reflection for Palm Sunday. Thank you, Bishop Curry, for joining us. On today’s episode, we provide background on Uganda and address the country’s current posture toward refugees. Information comes from the Library of Congress Uganda country study and from the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) landing pages on the Summit on Refugees & Migrants, the New York Declaration, and the Comprehensive Refugee Response Framework. Additional information: US military ending role in hunt for elusive African warlord Joseph Kony: https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/02/politics/us-military-quits-hunt-joseph-kony/index.html Germany Stands by its Commitment in the Refugee Crisis:https://www.huffingtonpost.com/peter-wittig-/germany-stands-by-its-com_b_12064930.html Canada’s 2016 record high level of resettlement praised by UNHCR:http://www.unhcr.org/en-us/news/press/2017/4/58fe15464/canadas-2016-record-high-level-resettlement-praised-unhcr.html Special thanks to Whit Whitaker for offering his vocal talents for today’s episode. 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, www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog. 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

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 18:18-Luke 22:46 On this week’s episode, we reflect on scripture, discuss the history of Afghanistan and the contributing factors that have caused Afghans to resettle in the United States, and interview Abdul Saboor. Abdul came to the United States from his native country of Afghanistan in 2014 through the SIV program. Information about Afghanistan is largely from the Center for Applied Linguistics Backgrounder on Afghans and PBS NewHour HistoricalTimeline on Afghanistan. http://www.culturalorientation.net/learning/backgrounders https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/asia-jan-june11-timeline-afghanistan Upcoming Event! EMM is offering our Love God, Love Neighbor training in Atlanta, GA May 2-4, 2018. www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln 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

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 15:1-Luke 18:17 On this week’s episode, we reflect on scripture, learn about the history of the modern United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP), and interview Lacy Broemel, Refugee and Immigration Policy Advisor in the Office of Government Relations for the Episcopal Church. Reflection author: The Rev’d Canon E. Mark Stevenson is the Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries, and a member of the staff of the Presiding Bishop of The Episcopal Church. As Director he leads a dedicated team in executing a national program of refugee resettlement and related ministries in partnership with the U.S. government, affiliated local resettlement programs, and a developing network of communities and ecumenical organizations across the country. Previously, he served as Domestic Poverty Missioner for The Episcopal Church, coordinating church-wide efforts in ministries of poverty alleviation. Prior to beginning his work on the denominational staff, Canon Stevenson served as Canon to the Ordinary in the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana from August 2005 until September 2013. Following hurricane Katrina, Canon Stevenson worked closely with the Diocese of Louisiana as well as local, regional, national and international leaders and groups to put into place the processes for effective relief ministry. Since receiving his Master of Divinity degree from Nashotah House Seminary in 2000, Canon Stevenson has served as Rector in two parishes: the Church of the Annunciation in the heart of New Orleans, and the Church of the Good Shepherd in Maitland, Florida. During his time at both churches, his focus was on developing ministries with youth and revitalizing ministries of stewardship, Christian education and community outreach. Canon Stevenson and his wife, Joy, currently reside in Hamilton, New Jersey. Upcoming Event! EMM is offering our Love God, Love Neighbor training in Atlanta, GA May 2-4, 2018. www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln 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

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 11:14-Luke 14 We don’t have a scripture reflection on the podcast this week, but that gives us an opportunity to include you in Hometown! We have a few openings for reflection authors – this week, week 6 and week 15 - which is Pentecost Sunday! Would you author a reflection for us? Visit us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter and share your reflection – either in comments on our posts or by direct message! We may even end up featuring you on our blog! If you’re interested - reach out to us! We’d love to hear your story about how your faith calls you to welcome refugees. On this week’s episode, we continue our conversation with The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa, Th.D., on his life, ministry, his work with refugees and asylum-seekers, and the meaning of “home.” Jean Baptiste is the author of “Overcoming Cycles of Violence in Rwanda: Ethical Leadership and Ethnic Justice.” We encourage you to check out last week’s episode, when we spoke with Jean Baptiste about his book and the history of Rwanda. Learn more about Jean Baptiste at www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog. Upcoming Event! EMM is offering our Love God, Love Neighbor training in Atlanta, GA May 2-4, 2018. www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln 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

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 8 - Luke 11:13 On this week’s episode, we reflect on scripture and then learn about the history of Rwanda, where our reflection author was born. Reflection author: The Rev. Jean Baptiste Ntagengwa is currently Director of Transition Ministry in the Episcopal Diocese of Massachusetts, though he spent his early years in Rwanda, where much of his extended family still lives. He was ordained to the priesthood in the Anglican Church after completing his his Bachelor of Divinity degree at St. Paul’s United Theological College in Limuru, Kenya. In 1999, he moved to Boston, where he completed his master’s degree in theological studies at Harvard Divinity School in 2001 and his doctorate in Ethics and Missions at Boston University in 2008. He is the author of “Overcoming Cycles of Violence in Rwanda: Ethical Leadership and Ethnic Justice.” You can learn more about Jean Baptiste in the blog post we are releasing with this episode, at www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/blog. For further reading on Rwanda, we recommend: From War to Genocide: Criminal Politics in Rwanda, 1990–1994 by André Guichaoua, Translated by Don E. Webster Rwanda: From Genocide to Precarious Peace by Susan Thomson will be released on April 24, 2018. Upcoming Event! EMM is offering our Love God, Love Neighbor training in Atlanta, GA May 2-4, 2018. www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln 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

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 4:14 - Luke 7 Welcome to Episode 2 of Hometown! On this episode, we reflect on scripture, delve deeper into the global refugee crisis and why resettlement is a life-saving solution, and interview our first guest - our theme song composer, Abraham Mwinda Ikando! Information on resettlement and the United States Refugee Admissions Program is from The UN Refugee Agency: www.unhcr.org The US Dept of State, Bureau for Population, Refugees, and Migration: https://www.state.gov/j/prm/about/index.htm The US Dept of Health and Human Services Office of Refugee Resettlement: https://www.acf.hhs.gov/orr/refugees The US Dept of Homeland Security: https://www.uscis.gov/refugeescreening Today’s interview was with Abraham Mwinda Ikando, who is also our theme song composer! Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com and follow him on Instagram @mwindagram Upcoming Event! EMM is offering our Love God, Love Neighbor training in Atlanta, GA May 2-4, 2018. www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln ------------------------------------------------- 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

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries and is part of the Good Book Club. This week’s Good Book Club scripture readings: Luke 1- Luke 4:13 Welcome to Hometown! On the debut episode, we introduce what the podcast is all about, reflect on scripture together, and learn about the global refugee crisis and the specific refugee crisis in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Reflection author: The Rev. Laurie Brock, rector of the Episcopal Church of St. Michael the Archangel in the Diocese of Lexington (Kentucky). Mother Laurie is co-author of Where God Hides Holiness, and is the author of the forthcoming book Horses Speak of God: How Horses Can Teach Us to Listen and Be Transformed, available for pre-order on Amazon.com. She blogs at www.revlauriebrock.com. Information on the global refugee crisis is largely from the UNHCR Global Trends report: http://www.unhcr.org/globaltrends2016/ Information about the Congolese refugee crisis is largely from the Center for Applied Linguistics Backgrounder on Refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo: http://www.culturalorientation.net/learning/populations/congolese-refugees For further reading on the DRC, we recommend: Dancing in the Glory of Monsters: The Collapse of the Congo and the Great War of Africa by Jason Stearns King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild Upcoming Event! EMM is offering our Love God, Love Neighbor training in Atlanta, GA May 2-4, 2018. www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln 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

Join Allison Duvall and Kendall Martin of Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement ministry of the Episcopal Church, for an introduction to "HomeTown," a podcast featuring voices from across the US, the Episcopal Church, and the New American community.