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Together We Welcome: A Virtual National Faith Gathering to Strengthen Support for Refugees, Immigrants, and Migrants

Watch the Together We Welcome Conference session recordings by visiting the tracks below:


PHOTOS: (LEFT TO RIGHT) JOSHUA ROBERTS/GETTY IMAGES, HIAS/ERIC KRUSZWESKI, SEAN HAWKEY/ACT ALLIANCE, SEAN HAWKEY/ACT ALLIANCE, SEAN HAWKEY/ACT ALLIANCE

What is Together We Welcome?

For the last 75 years, CWS has actively worked in solidarity and intentional focus with faith partners and community groups from across the world, to do in partnership what none of us could hope to do as well alone:

“Transform communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.”

It is out of these faith partnerships and the commitment to provide just and sustainable responses to the displaced that the Together We Welcome: A National Faith Gathering to Strengthen Support for Refugees, Immigrants and Migrants conference was born.

The goal: To train and equip local faith leaders, community organizers and immigrant community leaders in welcoming refugees, asylum seekers and other displaced populations.

On March 4th, 2022, CWS along with our Faith Solidarity Team invited faith leaders, clergy, community organizers and immigrant leaders to a dynamic virtual and inaugural event to hear from impacted voices as well as timely and relevant information about resettlement & migration from faith leaders, national and local resettlement staff and other experts in forced migration. Attendees spent the weekend learning about migration and displacement and walked away with specific action steps to foster welcome in their local communities.

CWS Faith Solidarity Team Members:


Rev. Jack Amick, Director of Global Migration and Special Assignments, UMCOR, United Methodist Church

Susan Krehbiel, Associate for Refugees and Asylum, PDA, Presbyterian Church (USA)

Amanda Craft, Manager for Advocacy in the Office of Immigration Issues Presbyterian Church (USA)

Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director, Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries (RIM) Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Mary Campbell, Program Director for AMMPARO, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Giovana Oaxaca, Program Director, Migration Policy, Evangelical Lutheran Church of America

Irene W. Hassan, M.Div., Minister for Refugee and Migration Ministries, Global H.O.P.E. United Church of Christ

Rev.  Joshua Baird, Team Leader Global H.O.P.E. United Church of Christ

JJ TenClay, Missionary & Refugee Ministries Coordinator, Reformed Chruch in America

Saulo Padilla, Immigration Education National Program Mennonite Central Committee U.S.

Alison Duvall, Senior Manager for Church Relations & Engagement, EMM, The Episcopal Church

Pat Hatch, Refugee and Immigrant Ministry Director, Presbyterian Church America

Ray Schellinger, Global Consultant on Immigration and Refugees, International Ministries, American Baptist Churches

And various CWS staff members