Assisting Afghan Refugees

The Sparta, Wisconsin Ministerial Association is working to support the Afghan refugees at Fort McCoy. To provide support they suggest checking out Catholic Charities of the Diocese of La Crosse, who is coordinating donations and volunteers, or contact your local Red Cross for opportunities.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has shared resources to assist Episcopal Migrant Ministries in assisting Afghan refugees.

"Episcopal Migration Ministries is one of the most direct and tangible ways that we embrace the invitation to become a Church that looks and acts like Jesus, by reaching out our hands in love to the dispossessed, displaced, exiled, and marginalized.  For over four decades, in times of war, genocide, political persecution and upheaval, EMM has enabled the Church at all levels to welcome and care for God’s beloved children, supporting them on their journey as new Americans, our neighbors."
 
This is where EMM needs your help.  
 
1. Prayer.  Refugee resettlement ministry includes professional staff, but also tens of thousands of volunteers, congregations, and community partners and stakeholders, who all come together to welcome and support our new neighbors. Click here for a prayer list.
 
2. Volunteer support.  To address the severe staffing shortages in the face of this crisis, we prayerfully ask for anyone willing and able to embed for a period of 1-3 months in an EMM affiliate office or within EMM’s churchwide headquarters staff.  This may occur virtually/remotely, in some circumstances.  At present, one of the top identified needs is for individuals with volunteer coordination, project management, and community organizing experience.  Interested and skilled individuals should email AfghanAllies@episcopalchurch.org, attaching their CV and briefly explaining their relevant experience.
 
3. Financial support. In partnership with The Episcopal Church’s Office of Development, EMM has created the Neighbors Welcome: Afghan Allies Fund, recognizing that considerable funding is needed to support the housing, medical, legal, and other basic needs of the Afghan families we will welcome.  We ask that you share this announcement and this bulletin insert with congregations, ministries, and affiliated organizations throughout your dioceses.