Join us in Geneva to listen a panel of speakers help us understand what we can do and what gaps we can fill while serving our migrant and refugee populations around us. These experts will explore themes around setting up parish-level ministries, funding opportunities, how to assist volunteers as well as global themes and our connections to the wider church which effect our local ministry. This is an opportunity for you to connect with others in the Convocation to share your experiences and thoughts. 

We will also enjoy the hospitality of the Emmanuel Refugee Welcome Center through food, music and dance.

We will be livestreaming the presentations, so if you can't join in person, please join us for a part of this APL.

Scheduled speakers:

Giulia Bonoldi, Director JNRC and Chief Welcoming Officer

• An introduction to what to be aware of to keep yourself and the people you are working with safe.
• What people need to be aware of when working with LGBTQ+ forced migrants and asylum seekers.
• ERD grants - what is available, lessons learned, and how you might be able to access grants for your refugee projects.
• Starting small and taking on what you can, without feeling pressure to grow larger projects.

Sarah Shipman, Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries

• An introduction to EMM, where their focus has been and where they are going now.
• What are the Episcopal Migration Network, Rainbow Initiative, and Migration with Dignity networks?
• How EMM sees Convocation involvement moving forward.
• What EMM needs from us in the future.

Max Niedzwiecki, Episcopal Migration Ministries Rainbow Initiative & Standing Commission on World Mission of The Episcopal Church*

• The lived experiences of LGBTQ+ refugees and other forced migrants
• LGBTQ+ people as scapegoats for those who promote religious nationalism: a driver for migration
• Positions of The Episcopal Church on LGBTQ+ people, religious nationalism, and migration
• How can we better welcome LGBTQ+ refugees and forced migrants? Tools and tips developed by EMM's Rainbow Initiative
• EMM's Rainbow Initiative in Europe: partners in Rome, Munich, Paris, and Waterloo; invitation for others to join

*The views expressed in this session are not necessarily those of of EMM or SCWM

Emmanuel Refugee Welcome Center

• Presenting an overview of the Emmanuel Refugee Welcome Center (began in July 2022)
• Vision of RWC - a living project that responds to the needs and requests of the refugee population so they can feel welcome, safe and settle into the local community
• The importance of involvement from the parish in local refugee assistance projects.

Logistics

Timing: we will begin at 19:00 on Friday the 19th.

We will finish at 18:00 on Saturday, and go to dinner afterwards as a group

Church at Emmanuel on Sunday is at 10:30

Travel: EICS will cover travel costs up to the first €100, and all meals will be covered.

Housing: some Emmanuel parishoners have graciously offered their homes for participants to stay in. Please indicate in your registration if you would like to take advantage of this. Otherwise, a list of hotels is provided upon registration and EICS can fund €100 per night for a hotel stay.

Participants

We have removed the earlier 2 person/congregation limit and are excited to welcome all who can attend!