Welcoming the Stranger: Immigration and Migration
In this episode… We talk about Immigration and Migration and how it is impacting folks
socially and spiritually. We hear from two young adults, one from the Diocese of W. Missouri
and one from the Diocese of Kansas. We are also joined by the Reverend Mtr. Sarah Shipman
(Diocese of Kansas) who also serves as the Director for Episcopal Migration Ministries.
About the Hosts
Clare Stern-Burbano (she/her) is a member of the laity and currently a college, youth, and children’s
minister at a parish in Kansas City, MO and third-year seminarian at Univ. of Dubuque Theological
Seminary and a candidate for Anglican Studies at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She hopes of one
day becoming an Episcopal priest and is discerning in the Diocese of Kansas. Clare comes from an
interfaith family and found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church when she was nine years old.
The Rev. Karen Schlabach (she/her) is the Youth, Young Adult & Campus Missioner for the Episcopal
Diocese of Kansas. Karen was an active youth in the Kansas youth ministry program, and as a college
student participated in Campus Ministry at K-State, she returned as an adult volunteer in her late 20s.
Karen was the Youth Minister at St. Michael and All Angels for four years, and prior to that worked as an
Academic Advisor at UTA and UMKC and Associate Registrar at UMKC. Karen has a Bachelor’s degree
in Public Relations, Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, is an EFM graduate, and
received a Certificate of Presbyterial Studies from the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She was
ordained to the priesthood in January 2022. In her free time she enjoys reading novels, Lego video games
on her Switch, and being ordered around by her personal trainer. She lives in Merriam, KS, with her
husband Mike and dog Cherry.
Guest Bio:
The Rev. Sarah Shipman (she/her)
Sarah Shipman is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Kansas and an attorney
who is the Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries. She has served as a cabinet secretary under two governors in Kansas as well as serving as an assistant Attorney General.
Dani Mortensen (she/her)
Was born and raised in Mexico and came to the states when she was 10 years old.
Dani loves getting to know people and helping out whenever she can. She is a big
animal lover and especially love her two doggos Sam (German Shepherd) and
Kelson (Pit Bull Terrier). She enjoys occasionally having a night to do some
cooking with Kelson where he gets to try everything on the menu before it’s
served! Dani found a home in the Episcopal church just 4 years ago when her
then girlfriend and now wife very enthusiastically asked her if she would join her
at the first in person service of Palm Sunday during the Covid-19 pandemic. No
matter where she went, or what Episcopal church she attended, she was greeted
with love and affirmation telling her she belonged. So she stayed. In my search for
a home parish, God guided Clarke (Dani’s wife) and her to Grace and Holy
Trinity Cathedral. Dani now lives in Connecticut with Clarke and their two doggos
while Clarke completes her MDiv and hopes to become an Episcopal priest.
Andy Burbano (he/him)
Andy Burbano was born in and raised in Colombia S. America until he was 7 and
then moved to Panama until he was 11 and then immigrated to the United States
when he was 12. Was naturalized as a USA citizen as a teenager. Andres grew up
Roman Catholic and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church Oct. 2023. He has
served in the U.S. Military as an officer and now works at an IT firm as a
cybersecurity engineer and manager. He is married to his almost high school
sweetheart Clare and is excited to become a dad in Summer 2025.
Relevant links:
Episcopal Migration Ministries
socially and spiritually. We hear from two young adults, one from the Diocese of W. Missouri
and one from the Diocese of Kansas. We are also joined by the Reverend Mtr. Sarah Shipman
(Diocese of Kansas) who also serves as the Director for Episcopal Migration Ministries.
About the Hosts
Clare Stern-Burbano (she/her) is a member of the laity and currently a college, youth, and children’s
minister at a parish in Kansas City, MO and third-year seminarian at Univ. of Dubuque Theological
Seminary and a candidate for Anglican Studies at Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She hopes of one
day becoming an Episcopal priest and is discerning in the Diocese of Kansas. Clare comes from an
interfaith family and found a spiritual home in the Episcopal Church when she was nine years old.
The Rev. Karen Schlabach (she/her) is the Youth, Young Adult & Campus Missioner for the Episcopal
Diocese of Kansas. Karen was an active youth in the Kansas youth ministry program, and as a college
student participated in Campus Ministry at K-State, she returned as an adult volunteer in her late 20s.
Karen was the Youth Minister at St. Michael and All Angels for four years, and prior to that worked as an
Academic Advisor at UTA and UMKC and Associate Registrar at UMKC. Karen has a Bachelor’s degree
in Public Relations, Master’s Degree in Higher Education Administration, is an EFM graduate, and
received a Certificate of Presbyterial Studies from the Bishop Kemper School for Ministry. She was
ordained to the priesthood in January 2022. In her free time she enjoys reading novels, Lego video games
on her Switch, and being ordered around by her personal trainer. She lives in Merriam, KS, with her
husband Mike and dog Cherry.
Guest Bio:
The Rev. Sarah Shipman (she/her)
Sarah Shipman is an Episcopal priest in the Diocese of Kansas and an attorney
who is the Director of Episcopal Migration Ministries. She has served as a cabinet secretary under two governors in Kansas as well as serving as an assistant Attorney General.
Dani Mortensen (she/her)
Was born and raised in Mexico and came to the states when she was 10 years old.
Dani loves getting to know people and helping out whenever she can. She is a big
animal lover and especially love her two doggos Sam (German Shepherd) and
Kelson (Pit Bull Terrier). She enjoys occasionally having a night to do some
cooking with Kelson where he gets to try everything on the menu before it’s
served! Dani found a home in the Episcopal church just 4 years ago when her
then girlfriend and now wife very enthusiastically asked her if she would join her
at the first in person service of Palm Sunday during the Covid-19 pandemic. No
matter where she went, or what Episcopal church she attended, she was greeted
with love and affirmation telling her she belonged. So she stayed. In my search for
a home parish, God guided Clarke (Dani’s wife) and her to Grace and Holy
Trinity Cathedral. Dani now lives in Connecticut with Clarke and their two doggos
while Clarke completes her MDiv and hopes to become an Episcopal priest.
Andy Burbano (he/him)
Andy Burbano was born in and raised in Colombia S. America until he was 7 and
then moved to Panama until he was 11 and then immigrated to the United States
when he was 12. Was naturalized as a USA citizen as a teenager. Andres grew up
Roman Catholic and was confirmed in the Episcopal Church Oct. 2023. He has
served in the U.S. Military as an officer and now works at an IT firm as a
cybersecurity engineer and manager. He is married to his almost high school
sweetheart Clare and is excited to become a dad in Summer 2025.
Relevant links:
Episcopal Migration Ministries
Suggestions and Comments for the Co-hosts? Click here to submit your question or comment.
To learn more about the Episcopal Diocese of W. MO College and Young Adult Ministry click here
To learn more about the Episcopal Diocese of Kansas Children, Youth, Young Adults, & Campus Ministry click here
All Things…Episcopal podcast is a production of The Diocese of West Missouri and Diocese of Kansas in association with Resonate Media.
Music is provided by Blue Dot sessions
Our opening theme is New Found Believers and our closing theme is After Sunrise
Content source links: Some of today’s questions come from Called to Life: Reflecting on Vocation, Participant Guide, Collegeville Institute for Ecumenical and Cultural Research, 2011
Creators and Guests
Host
Clare Stern-Burbano
(she/her) is a member of the laity and currently a youth and college minister at a parish in Kansas City, MO and second-year seminarian at Univ. of Dubuque Theological Seminary.
