At the Clergy Conference held April 20-22 at the Penn Harris Hotel in Camp Hill, Canon Micalagh Moritz facilitated a panel on Immigration Justice to help congregations engage with and support immigrants within their communities. Participants included the Rev. Deacon Anne Flynn; the Rev. Amanda Knouse of St. John’s, Lancaster; the Rev. Ruth Ferguson of St. John’s, Bellefonte; and the Very Rev. John Stratton of Nativity Cathedral.
Presenters shared the various ways they and their congregations are supporting immigrants, including pastoral ministry at a detention center, Lehigh Valley Emergency Response Network trainings to equip community members, work with the Diocesan Migration Ministry Team, and an immigration legal clinic. They affirmed our diocese’s commitment to welcoming our new neighbors, and reminded us that the work of immigration justice is grounded in our baptismal covenant and central to our call as followers of Jesus.
While the work may differ depending on our location and context, we can all be involved, whether it be through financial support of these efforts, prayer, or connecting with others in our own community. Please see the resources below, and get in touch with anyone on the panel to find out how to get involved.
Panel Follow-up Contact Information:
Lehigh Valley Emergency Response Network: The Very Rev. John Stratton, [email protected]
Legal and Pastoral Work: The Rev. Amanda Knouse, [email protected]
Pastoral Work and Accompaniment: The Rev. Ruth Ferguson, rector@
Advocacy and Diocesan Migration Ministry Team: The Rev. Deacon Anne Flynn, [email protected]
Canon for Social Justice, Advocacy, and Latino Church Planter: Canon Sandy Milien, [email protected]
Canon Missioner, Southwest Region: Canon Micalagh Moritz, [email protected]
Other Resources
Allentown Refugee Center: https://www.refugeesallentown.
Churchwide Resources
Episcopal Migration Ministries (EMM) holds weekly immigration update calls every Tuesday from 1-1:30 p.m. See more information and register for calls here: https://www.
Immigration Action Toolkit: https://www.episcopalchurch.