As friends of RGBM, you are all invited to join us for the Fourth Annual Border & Migration Ministry Summit hosted by Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Episcopal Diocese of West Texas, taking place online March 30 - 31, 2022. More information and links to register are included below. Online registration is open through Friday, March 25 (TOMORROW) so be sure to reserve your spot so you don’t miss out!
First Shelter Group at St. Christopher’s and First Pilgrimage Group!!
This borderland update brings news of a lot of exciting things happening with RGBM. Last week, we hosted our first group of refugees at our second-line shelter at the Center for Borderland Ministries at St. Christopher’s in El Paso. Above is a very brief update from Lee Curtis sharing the success of hosting this first group, and on our website, you will find ways you can support this particular ministry! If you are wanting to learn more, please reach out to our Bridge Chaplain Ana Reza (areza@dioceserg.org).
A New Shelter at St. Christopher's, El Paso and Talking with the Border Patrol in Alpine, TX: Your Borderland Update
This week’s borderland update comes from The Rt. Rev. Michael Buerkel Hunn, Bishop for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande! In this update, Bishop Hunn goes on a mini-pilgrimage to engage with some of the important work being done by RGBM in both El Paso, TX and in the Big Bend region of our diocese. He sits down with Bridge Chaplain Ana Reza to talk about the welcome shelter we are establishing at St. Christopher’s Episcopal Church in El Paso, and he also shares his experience sitting down with the border patrol in the Big Bend.
Learning from the Borderland: Ni de Aquí, Ni de Allá
In week’s borderland update, The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis recaps our most recent Borderland Learning Session, a monthly program we have offered our Parish Partners. February’s learning session was an opportunity to reflect on border theology and the transitional, liminal space represented in the phrase “Ni de aquí, ni de allá” (neither from here or from there). Watch Canon Lee’s recap of the conversation to learn more.
Ministry in Impossible Situations
This week’s borderland update from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis comes from the San Mathias shelter in Juarez! Canon Lee talks about the ongoing struggle asylum seekers are facing as they await to enter the United States. Watch the full update to learn more about how RGBM is showing up to be the heart of Christian service.
Walking Through St. Christopher's - The Center for Borderland Ministries
Happy New Year from RGBM! This week’s borderland update from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis is an introduction to the beautiful space of St. Christopher’s, which is home to the Center for Borderland Ministries for The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. Watch the full update below to learn more about how St. Christopher’s will be used as a hospitality space for our partners as we welcome them to experience the borderland.
Christmas in the Borderland
This week’s borderland update from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis shares some words from Deacon Clelia Pinza Garrity from The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, one of RGBM’s first partners in our partnership program. Clelia’s full reflection can be found on our blog post. This borderland update also includes information on what RGBM is doing to support the shelter during Christmastime, especially for children, with the help of our partner Doug Winter and his organization Dormir es Poder.
Support Asylum Seekers This #GivingTuesday
What RGBM is Thankful For: A Thanksgiving Borderland Update
In this season of thanksgiving, we want to express our gratitude to the many people, organizations, and places that support the work of RGBM and allow us to continue our work of welcoming the stranger. This week’s brief borderland update on what RGBM is thankful for comes from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis. From all of us at RGBM, Happy Thanksgiving.
RGBM Annual Convention Report: The Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande
Last week’s annual convention for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande included an annual report from Rio Grande Borderland Ministries from members of our RGBM Development Team. To learn about the impact of RGBM over the last year and the future plans of the ministry, please watch the video on our full blog post
Borderland Update: A Thank You to the Bosque Center- and a Vision for the Future
In this week’s borderland update, The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, talks about how the Diocese is showing up to support migrant families through our new hospitality space at St. Christopher's, El Paso. Take five minutes to learn about how RGBM is showing up to #WelcomeWithDignity.
Borderland Update: 3 Points on the "Border Crisis"
In this week’s borderland update, The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, shares three quick points about the “Border Crisis.” Take five minutes to learn about the changes in patterns of immigration and how RGBM is showing up to #WelcomeWithDignity.
Borderland Update: Haitians in Del Río
In this week’s borderland update, The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, shares the news this past week of approximately 15,000 Haitian immigrants arriving in the town of Del Río. To hear Lee speak about the patterns of immigration, how RGBM is showing up, and how you can make an impact, watch the full borderland update.
RGBM's Call to #WelcomeWithDignity - This Week's Borderland Update
In this week’s borderland update, The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, breaks down the most recent Supreme Court decision regarding the Remain in Mexico policy. To learn how these recent policy decisions impact the work RGBM is doing to #WelcomeWithDignity in the borderland, please watch the full update, and consider making an impact by supporting the work of RGBM.
Introducing: RGBM Parish Partnerships!
We are excited to announce the RGBM Parish Partnership program! Congregations that partner with RBGM commit to supporting RGBM in stewardship, time, and prayer. Consider getting your parish involved with this amazing ministry. Learn more from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis below, and visit our website to download our discernment packet! We hope you’ll consider walking alongside us in this ministry.
Learn More About Title 42 - A Borderland Update from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis
This week’s Borderland Update comes from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis, Canon to the Ordinary for the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande. In this update, Lee shares information about Title 42 and how it impacts the RGBM community.
Learn more about advocacy opportunities through EMM’s Asylum and Detention Ministry Network: https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/ministrynetwork/
Saved Soles Partnership and A Borderland Update from Rev. Mike Wallens
This week’s Borderland Update comes from The Rev. Michael Wallens, Vicar of St. Paul’s in Marfa, TX. Mike oversees the ministry of RGBM in the Big Bend region of the Episcopal Diocese of the Rio Grande, working with our partners in Ojinaga and Boquilla, Mexico, and with our partners in the US side of the borderlands. Mike recently met with the Border Patrol in his area to discuss how RGBM will be a response when Title 42 is lifted, ensuring that our migrant neighbors are embraced in the service of justice, the interest of dignity, and the spirit of love.
Learn, Engage, and Act in Service of Our Borderland Neighbors
This week’s RGBM Now Blog features a resource list to learn more about what’s happening with regard to the border and migration. We encourage you to utilize these resources to learn, events to engage in, and opportunities to act to help us advocate for our neighbors. Learn more and make an impact below.
Big Bend Borderland Update from Rev. Mike Wallens
Resources to Learn, Opportunities to Engage, and This Week's Borderland Update
This week’s borderland update from The Rev. Canon Lee Curtis highlights the work our Bridge Chaplain Ana Reza is doing to support our migrant neighbors that are crossing through the port of entry in El Paso and the relationships The Rev. Mike Wallens is continuing to build to support unaccompanied minors in the Big Bend region of our borderland.