Hi there, Hometown listeners! Allison and Kendall are back for a short mid-season pod episode - to give you updates on what’s happening with the refugee resettlement program and to share some opportunities to join EMM.Presidential DeterminationFirst, we discuss the presidential determination, which is the number, set annually by the president, of refugees allowed to be admitted to the country through the US Refugee Admissions Program. If you’ve been following the news, you know that refugee arrivals to the US have dropped precipitously in the last year. We discuss that, the history of refugee arrivals, and how we must all speak out to advocate for refugees and the resettlement program. We suggest going back and listening to previous episodes for context: Episode 1, “Welcome to Hometown” https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/welcome-to-hometown/ Episode 2, “Where is Home?”https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/where-is-home/ Episode 5, “Lost and Found” https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/lost-and-found/We encourage you to get involved in the act of changing hearts and minds. Visit advocacy.episcopalchurch.org.Check out resources from the Episcopalians Vote! campaign.“Voting and participation in our government is a way of participating in our common life and that is a Christian obligation.” -Presiding Bishop Michael CurryRegister to vote! https://vote.gov/Be an informed voter! http://www.rockthevote.org/voting-information/Vote! https://www.rockthevote.org/voting-information/find-your-polling-place/Mobilize! https://cqrcengage.com/episcopal/file/HNslHve2uJc/VoteFaithfully_Toolkit%202018.pdfJoin Lawyers and Collars! http://lawyersandcollars.org/Engage your faith community using the Vote Faithfully Toolkit 2018!https://cqrcengage.com/episcopal/file/HNslHve2uJc/VoteFaithfully_Toolkit%202018.pdfOrder #VoteFaithfully stickers! Send a quick message to eppn@episcopalchurch.org.Love God, Love NeighborJoin us for the final Love God, Love Neighbor training of 2018. Love God, Love Neighbor is a three-day training that equips participants to be advocates, allies, and ambassadors for refugees and the ministry of refugee resettlement. The training provides an in-depth exploration of the global displacement crisis, US refugee policy, the refugee resettlement process, faith-based advocacy for refugees, and organizing to welcome and support refugees in your home community.Join us October 11-13, 2018 at Christ Church Cathedral in Louisville, Kentucky. To learn more and register visit bit.ly/LGLNLOU Support EMMJoin in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. --------------------------------Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com. Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram: emmrefugeesStay tuned for season two of Hometown!