Here’s a great update on immigration reform issues by Michelle Warren of the Christian Community Development Association:
Dear Praying friends,
I hope and trust that the beginning of this New Year has begun with a spirit of hope and anticipation for all that God can and will do this coming year. It’s been a while since I have sent any updates and with all that is going on around the state and country regarding immigrants, refugees and the response of the church, I thought it was beyond “about time.”
The political landscape continues to be riddled with negative immigration narrative, and one that is based in fear. Fear is powerful and even the most logical, well communicated argument struggles to overcome it, but we know that God has not given us a Spirit of fear but of power, love and a sound mind. This moment is ripe with opportunity to share God’s message to welcome the stranger and to not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.
I want to express my gratitude to Mark Weaver for his willingness to share his thoughts on his faith and how it intersects with Iowa front-runner Donald Trump’s ideas. The Religion News Service ran an article yesterday in which Mark was interviewed and referenced. I encourage you to read and share the article with others:
http://www.religionnews.com/2016/01/18/donald-trump-liberty-university-evangelicals/
There are a lot of updates so the easiest way is just simply put them in a bullet-ed list. Sorry for the length, but please hang in there as its all good, just a lot of info/opportunities!
• Looking for opportunities to share about God’s heart for the immigrant? We are always looking to share about God’s heart for immigrants and the response of the church to immigration and refugees. Please let me know if your church/small group/Sunday school class/staff would benefit from a short presentation and free resources.
• GC2 Summit on 1/20: In an effort to help support churches and their leadership around the issues of refugees, a summit has been assembled by the Billy Graham Center for Evangelism and the Humanitarian and Disaster Institute to address, “the global refugee crisis and the Christian response.”
o To learn about the event: http://www.gc2summit.com/about-gc2/
o To view it livestream, register here: http://live.gc2summit.com/index.html
• God TV: GodTV is using the upcoming month to support immigration/refugee programming and is showing the Evangelical Immigration Table’s documentary, “The Stranger” several times.
–1/23/16 Broadcasts at 6:15PM MST
–1/24/16 Broadcasts at 10:15AM MST
–1/24/16 Broadcasts at 12:45PM MST
o All may be watched via our website www.god.tv at same time as broadcast in all regions.
o Also you can direct people to http://www.god.tv/refugee
• Making Valentines for those in deportation centers: Every year AFSC makes Valentine’s cards for every single detainee in the Aurora deportation center. This is a great way to support those who are detained. Would you consider helping support this effort with your small group, class or church? We can help provide materials and sample messages in English and Spanish. Many of those we send the cards to, then give them to other detainees or mail them to family members. If you are interested, please contact me or Jennifer Piper at michelle@ccda.org or jpiper@afsc.org
• Jefferson County Federal Center to receive immigrant children: Many of you may remember the stories of large numbers of unaccompanied minors coming to the border in McAllen, TX back in June 2014. There are predictions that this will once again swell this spring and one of the largest detention centers scheduled to house the new influx of children will be at the Jefferson County Federal center in Colorado
o (http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_29328215/up-1-000-immigrant-children-be-temporarily-housed-lakewood-colorado)
o Due to the fact that children will be incarcerated, direct service help is not being requested, but it’s important to be aware and help prepare the State of Colorado’s people to receive them well with welcoming spirits.
• DAPA and the Supreme Court: “The Supreme Court on Tuesday said it will decide whether President Obama has the authority to declare that millions of illegal immigrants be allowed to remain and work in the United States without fear of deportation.
o DAPA: The court will probably hear the case in April, with a ruling before it adjourns in June. It provides the last chance that the administration would have to implement the program, announced by Obama in 2014, before he leaves office next January. The program would affect nearly 4 million people.” (https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-to-review-obamas-power-on-deportation-policy/2016/01/19/5db355da-bb8a-11e5-b682-4bb4dd403c7d_story.html)
• State of the Union: read what Gov Haley from South Carolina said in her rebuttal to the SOTU regarding immigrants and immigration:
o “I am the proud daughter of Indian immigrants who reminded my brothers, my sister and me every day how blessed we were to live in this country. Immigrants have been coming to our shores for generations to live the dream that is America … No one who is willing to work hard, abide by our laws, and love our traditions should ever feel unwelcome in this country … We must fix our broken immigration system. That means stopping illegal immigration. And it means welcoming properly vetted legal immigrants, regardless of their race or religion. Just like we have for centuries.” – Gov. Nikki Haley (R-SC) in her State of the Union rebuttal, Jan. 12
Thank you to all you were able to “power through” such a long list! I apologize for my delay in getting so many elements out to you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with questions or suggestions.
As I conclude, please continue to pray for our nation’s leaders and for those who are impacted by their legislative decisions. Pray for the Church and its response to global crisis abroad and at our borders. Pray most of all for God’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven.
Shalom,
Michelle
—
Michelle Warren, MPA
Advocacy & Policy Engagement Director, CCDA
www.ccda.org
720-472-0871
michelle@ccda.org
@mcfwarren
