New documentary covering the work of The Episcopal Church and Europe’s refugees
The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe and Episcopal Relief & Development are pleased to announce a new documentary entitled Welcoming & Walking with Refugees: The Episcopal Church and Europe’s Refugees, capturing the transformative impact of an Episcopal grant program for refugees and displaced migrants in Europe. The Convocation Refugee Grant Program (CRGP) was established in 2023 as a joint program between the Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe (CECE) and Episcopal Relief & Development in response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis that began unfolding in February 2022.
The objective of the CRGP is to help faith communities across Europe deliver compassionate, targeted and effective support to our refugee neighbors. Since its inception, CRGP has reached more than 200,000 people in 28 cities in 12 European countries with the help of 21 local churches.
The first chapter of the documentary, focused on Ukrainian-led cultural activities hosted by the Church of St. Augustine of Canterbury (Wiesbaden, Germany), can be seen on either the CECE or the ERD websites. It shows how St Augustine’s and Kunstpause, which Anastasiia Synytasia started as an art therapy project for her fellow Ukrainians, has created a healing sanctuary space for Ukrainians living in Wiesbaden.
Future documentary chapters will concentrate on the other CRGP-supported programs that are playing a meaningful role in Europe’s humanitarian response to migration, refugee inclusion and social cohesion. Donations to the Ukraine Response Fund will help support these refugee-led programs throughout Europe: https://support.episcopalrelief.org/ukraineresponse. To learn more about the Convocation Refugee Grant Program, click here: https://episcopaleurope.org/ministry/refugees-and-migrants/welcome-grant/.
For over 80 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has worked with an extensive network of faith and community partners to advance lasting change in communities affected by injustice, poverty, disaster and climate change. Inspired by our faith, we reach over three million people each year by focusing on four interconnected priorities: nurturing the potential of caregivers and young children, reducing violence against women and girls, strengthening communities’ resilience to climate change and facilitating humanitarian response to disasters. Together with our partners, we leverage what’s working well to drive impact, learning and sustainability. Together, we create lasting change. Join us: www.episcopalrelief.org/sign-up
The Convocation of Episcopal Churches in Europe is a diverse community of mostly English-speaking and intercultural congregations spread across Europe that seeks to offer everyone a loving and open place to grow in their faith journey, a place that welcomes curiosity and celebrates diversity. As part of the global Episcopal Church, we strengthen our congregations through resource sharing, and providing spiritual and community support to our distinctive membership. Learn more about us here: https://episcopaleurope.org/.