TENNESSEE CONFERENCE REVIEW October 31, 2008
Articles in this special immigrant/refugee issue of THE REVIEW
1. Why the church cares about immigrants.
2. Refugee Sponsorship Remains a Priority.
3. Refugee Profile – learn about one refugee family
4. The Golden Triangle Fellowship and Belmont UMC.
5. Breaking The Walls of Illegality.
6. Word from Winkler: Racism on the loose
7. Segments of the Immigration Petition brought before General Conference 2009.
8. God places us here in this world as a family: Commentary by Leslie Acton, Strangers No Longer.
9. Justice for Our Neighbors: A conversation with Katherine Dix-Esquivel.
10. Protection and hope for refugees, including article here but had to be cut from printed REVIEW due to lack of space.
11. Five additional articles of importance are attached to the leader’s guide for this special immigration/refugee issue of THE REVIEW – the leader’s guide and additional articles can be downloaded from http://tncands.blogspot.com/2008/10/leaders-guide-to-october-31-2008.html
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Why the church cares about immigrants
Scripture guidance is clear
By the Rev. Clayton Childers, Director for Annual Conference Relations, General Board of Church & Society. From Faith in Action: News and Views from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, September 8, 2008. Used here by permission.
The Rev. Clayton Childers
The argument is being put forth that the United States cannot afford more immigrants, that we need to build a fence along our southern border, put new restrictions on legal immigration, and prosecute the estimated 10 million foreigners among us who do not have proper documentation. Yet our United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s top policy-making body, disagreed with these arguments when it met in Ft. Worth, Texas, this spring.
In fact, by a vote of 825 to 29 it approved a resolution, “Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.,” that said it is complicit to sin “to refuse to welcome migrants to this country and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the immigrant community in the United States is demonized by members of Congress and the media.”
We cannot accept that immigrants, even if they are here illegally, are beyond the scope of God’s concern.
Why is that?
Much of the Christian faith community’s response to this issue is grounded in its commitment to Holy Scripture. Many Christians believe our primary ethical reference point is the Bible. We cannot accept that immigrants, even if they are here illegally, are beyond the scope of God’s concern.
Jesus’ clear call
These people are our neighbors. And as neighbors we must wrestle with Jesus’ clear call to all those who would come after him to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” If I love my neighbor, how can I accept that my neighbor should be treated differently than others in the community simply because my neighbor came from another country, or has skin that is a different color, or speaks another language.
Jesus’ command makes no such allowance. Jesus simply said “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Frankly, it is hard to get around this.
If I were an immigrant in a new land, how would I want people to treat me?
Jesus also called on his followers to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If I were an immigrant in a new land, how would I want people to treat me? For Christians, these simple rules guide the way we live our lives, they govern our actions and affect our decision making.
Scripture further commands those who would follow God to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Legal systems that serve the interests of those who are the “haves” while oppressing the “have nots” are unjust and must be opposed.
For many of us who profess a biblically grounded faith, it seems inconceivable to believe that God would want us to turn our back on the very poorest among us while they suffer abuse at the hands of the majority.
Bible stories
The Bible is filled with stories of people displaced from their homes traveling to foreign countries to begin new lives. Many of us have had similar experiences: moving to new communities, new neighborhoods, new jobs, new schools.
We can identify with Abraham, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the disciples, Paul, Silas, Barnabas and many other itinerant biblical characters. Their stories, if we let ourselves remember, are also our stories. Their experiences are our experiences. All of them found themselves seeking the hospitality of strangers, at times being welcomed and other times being turned away.
The uncertain nature of immigration is not a new phenomenon. The plight of those suffering today is similar to that others have endured in previous eras.
Thus, scripture reminds us: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God (Leviticus 19:33-34).”
As people of faith we are expected to take seriously the message of God and apply it to our daily lives. For us, the abuse of aliens for us is not acceptable.
Refugee Sponsorship Remains a Priority
By Liz Shadbolt*
Since 1946, Church World Service has been resettling refugees in the United States. While the first refugees were fleeing the aftermath of World War II, today’s refugees come from many diverse parts of the world. In the last year, most refugees arriving in the US hailed from Burma, Iraq, Iran, Bhutan, Somalia, Cuba, Burundi, the Ukraine, and Vietnam. For the first time since 2001, the United States met their proposed quota for resettlement in 2008 of 60,000 individuals for the year. For the coming year, the president has allowed for up to 80,000 admissions.
The refugee program begins with the United Nation High Commission for Refugees, who is charged with identifying refugees worldwide. The definition of a refugee is a person who is outside their country of nationality and is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution for one of the following reasons: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and/or political opinion.
Once a refugee is identified by the UNHCR, one of three durable solutions is sought for them – voluntary repatriation (the most ideal), local integration into the country of first asylum (typically a country bordering the homeland), or resettlement to a third country like the US). Of the estimated 14 million refugees worldwide, less than 1% of them are resettled in a third county. And, of this 1%, the US accepts more refugees than every other resettlement country combined. (Additional international refugee statistics are noted at the end of this article)
The US refugee program is a unique private/public partnership, with the emphasis on private. Historically, faith-based organizations have borne the majority of the responsibility for refugee resettlement. The government carefully screens all of those referred to it by the UNHCR, so refugees who are admitted to the US have gone through approximately 5 face-to-face interviews and a medical check before arriving. Refugee cases, grouped by family unit, are distributed to the resettlement agencies by the government. United Methodists are represented in this process by the United Methodist Committee on Relief who works, along with several other mainline denominations, with Church World Service. CWS has resettled 450,000+ refugees to the U.S. since 1946.
UMCOR depends on their affiliate offices throughout the country to handle the resettlement of refugee families. In areas without a CWS affiliate office like ours, many UM churches partner with the local Catholic Charities or World Relief office to assist in resettlement. Personally, I have always been a supporter of church-based sponsorship since I worked with a CWS affiliate in Columbus, Ohio. When a church welcomes a refugee family to our community, provides the basics for the beginning of a new life, and offers them their friendship and support, the world becomes so much smaller. There are reasons that so few refugees are resettled – it’s not easy for anyone! Can you imagine leaving behind everyone and everything you’ve ever known to begin life again in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, know no one, and have no idea what will happen to you? Can you imagine doing this after being scarred physically and mentally by war or other trauma? The government does provide some assistance to the refugees it accepts, but the “private” part of this partnership is most important at the local level. This is why people of faith have been instrumental in refugee resettlement for over 50 years. We believe that all people are made in the image of God. We believe that God has intention and use for each human life. We love the story of the innkeeper who was willing to give a young couple space in his barn and the Samaritan who helped when others did not. Welcoming is part of who we are as Christians and as United Methodists.
Refugee sponsorship provides us a challenging and fruitful opportunity to practice our faith. If you would like to learn more about the refugee situation in our world, our church’s response, or resettlement opportunities, please contact Elizabeth Shadbolt, lizshadbolt@bellsouth.net, phone 615/834-1331
Refugee Facts from the World Refugee Survey 2007
13.9 million Number of refugees & asylum seekers worldwide
8.8 million Refugees who’ve spent 5+ years in camps
21 million People forcibly displaced within their own countries
48,281 Refugees resettled in the U.S. in Fiscal Year 2007
Middle East Region with the largest number of refugees
*Elizabeth “Liz” Shadbolt is Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Coordinator, Mercy, Mission, and Justice Ministries of the Tennessee Annual Conference
Refugee Profile
Ling family from Burma (Myanmar)
Meet the Ling family from Burma (Myanmar). They were recently resettled to Nashville through Catholic Charities. Each year, many families like the Lings are brought to Nashville to re-start lives that have been interrupted by war, religious or political persecution, or genocide. This area is popular because of the low cost of living, job opportunities, welcoming atmosphere, and temperate climate. The Lings are well on their way to a new, secure life and promising future. If you have gifts that would benefit families like the Lings, please contact Catholic Charities’ volunteer coordinator Marcheta Claus at 760-2790 or mclaus@cctenn.org.
Family members include: Rum Ling, 58; Mary Ling, 53; Mang Za Ling, 18; Khom Bawi Thang, 17; Bawi Lian Thang, 15; Za Thawng Lian, 12
Their country of First Asylum was Malaysia (3 years). They left Burma because of religious and ethnic discrimination, brought about by their support of the pro-democracy movement (in opposition to the military rule that has been in place since the 1980’s).
This family had a very smooth resettlement period in the United States. They were lucky that their oldest son had taught himself English while in Malaysia. He used a combination of an English grammar book he found and American cd’s- particularly Shania Twain! As a result, he was able to interpret for his family and others in the Burmese community.
As the Burmese are a relatively new population to Nashville, the language barrier has been a difficult one to overcome. Mang Za Ling is one of the few qualified interpreters in his community, and he pulled in many different directions. English classes are very important, but it is sometimes difficult for the adults to balance their work schedule with their class schedule. Many of the Burmese, this family included, have difficulty with car sickness, as they are not used to travelling by car.
Education/Occupation:
Rum Ling- 7 years of education in Burma, Experience as a carpenter and farmer, Current occupation: Dishwasher @ Doubletree Hotel
Mary Ling- 4 years of education in Burma, Experience as a seamstress & landscaper, Current occupation: Housekeeper @ Doubletree Hotel
Mang Za Ling- Completed high school in Burma/Malaysia, Experience as an interpreter & electrician, Current occupation: Opryland Hotel, Interpreter for Catholic Charities, Siloam, & Metro Schools
Khom Bawi Thang- Currently attending school @ Overton High School
Bawi Lian Thang- Currently attending the International Newcomer Academy
Za Thawng Lian- Currently attending McMurray Middle School
Assistance Received During Resettlement:
1. Housing, furniture, clothing and food
2. Airport Pick-up
3. Applying for social security cards, initial foodstamps and health insurance
4. Assistance with initial medical screening, school enrollment, and adult English class enrollment
5. Job placement services
6. General acculturation services
Future Needs in the Resettlement Program:
+We are always looking for donations of furniture and hygiene products (we are unable to accept clothing donations due to space limitations)
+Family Mentors- becoming a refugee family’s ‘American friend,’ assisting in acculturation, assisting with family’s appointments
+Church Sponsors- assisting a family throughout the entire resettlement process, collecting donations for the family’s apartment, setting up the apartment, meeting the family at the airport, assisting with the acculturation process
The Golden Triangle Fellowship and Belmont UMC
The Golden Triangle Fellowship (GTF), a group within the membership of Belmont UMC in Nashville TN is different from most groups in a typical American church. The name “Golden Triangle” describes the area of the world from which the GTF members have come: Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Laos. Some of the GTF members left their homelands fleeing religious persecution; many of them lived in refugee camps for months or years before coming to the United States.
Sandy Sakarapanee (right) with Belmont UMC/Golden Triangle Fellowship group at Youth Missions Camp, Lake Junaluska
The Golden Triangle Fellowship The GTF Sunday worship service usually lasts a little longer than Belmont’s English services, partly because the GTF worships in at least five languages: English, Burmese, Chin, Karen (a Burmese dialect), and Thai. The bulletin is printed in Thai and English. Lay persons pray and read the scripture lessons in their various native languages. God’s word is preached in English and Thai, and interpreted into Karen and Burmese. Persons are encouraged to offer a song or give testimony in their native tongue. The GTF praises one God with a joyful noise, singing familiar hymns in many different languages simultaneously.
Golden Triangle Fellowship children participate in week-long camp sponsored by the youth of Belmont United Methodist
The GTF began within Belmont UMC in 2004 with Pastor Sandy Sakarapanee and her husband, Nick. Although they grew up in Thailand, Sandy and Nick have lived in the United States long enough to raise their three American-born children to adulthood. Years ago, Pastor Sandy was ordained in another Christian tradition. At that time she and Nick began evangelizing and discipling individuals and families who were coming to America from the South Central region of Asia they used to call home. Sandy and Nick had taken a respite from evangelistic work when they joined Belmont UMC in the fall of 2003. They came to Belmont in part because their son Ken had worshipped with Belmont for several years as a Vanderbilt University undergraduate and then as a graduate student. As a new member, Sandy asked for permission and the blessings of Belmont to renew her evangelistic work with immigrants from Thailand, Burma, and Laos through the services and facilities of Belmont. There was no expectation that she would receive any remuneration for her efforts, this was simply a ministry she felt called to provide.
The first Golden Triangle worship service was held in Belmont's Ferguson Chapel on February 1, 2004, with only five persons in addition to Sandy and Nick. The congregation grew slowly at first, until it reached about fifty people, including children. Then it mushroomed. Currently the GTF worship service is attended by over 150 people each Sunday.
When persons worshipping in the GTF were ready to become professing and baptized Christians, they joined Belmont UMC. Because Sandy’s ordination was in a different denomination, a United Methodist Elder would come to the GTF worship service or the GTF would worship together with the English speaking Belmont service to celebrate baptisms, communion, weddings, and the covenant of church membership.
In May of 2007 Pastor Sandy completed Local Pastor Licensing School at Martin Methodist College, and was appointed by Bishop Richard Wills to serve at Belmont UMC as a part-time local pastor. Also in 2007 Belmont UMC requested and was awarded a Church Revitalization grant from the Tennessee Conference that would fund a salary for Rev. Sandy Sakarapanee in 2008. At the Tennessee Annual Conference in 2008, Pastor Sandy received the Denman Award for Evangelism.
At the time of this writing, the GTF has nurtured 98 adults to become members of Belmont UMC. There are at least twice that many GTF-related participants in Belmont’s ministries. Two adult GTF Sunday School classes meet each week, one in Thai, Laotian, and Burmese; the other meets in Karen. English-speaking Belmonters lead a GTF Children’s Choir and a children’s Sunday School class geared especially toward children who have not yet learned English. A GTF United Methodist Women’s Circle was formed in 2006, and GTF Belmonters also serve as At-Large Members of Belmont's Administrative Board.
Sandy’s ministry is not limited to the weekly Sunday School classes and worship service; it also includes the work of receiving and settling new immigrants who are making their way to Nashville. These persons must deal on a daily basis with the realities of getting settled in a new country and culture. They have many physical, material, and spiritual needs. Pastor Sandy works with World Relief and Catholic Charities on housing arrangements and everyday necessities such as food, furniture, linens, clothing, and diapers.
Immigrants who meet Pastor Sandy are blessed to have an advocate working among them to create a community called the Golden Triangle Fellowship at Belmont, and who remains in constant prayer on their behalf.
Breaking The Walls of Illegality
By Miguel Carpizo*
Pastor Carpizo’s congregation.
There is a difference between doing wrong and becoming something wrong. Doing something wrong is about behavior, about the way we do certain things. Becoming “something wrong” includes changing the DNA of a human being. There is an increasing controversy about the issue of illegal immigration—this is, by the way, the right term—especially while the politicians are in the midst of their campaigns. The phrases people use when talking about immigrants—illegal people and illegal aliens—for those who have come to the USA without the proper documents are incorrect, and sometimes inhuman. Just because people do something wrong, they don’t become illegal human beings. Being illegal is not an identity, but a behavior.
When a man decides to steal from the local market; he does not become an illegal human, he becomes a robber. His action—not his nature—needs to be judged by the court of law. The term” illegal” referring to describe people coming to the United States with no documents, “found no reference to it in regards to immigrants prior to 1950. Over the last few decades, however, public discourse has increasingly employed the term to describe unauthorized immigrants to the point where, today, it is almost exclusively the term of choice.” (Nevins 96). In 1977, the term “illegal” was used 76% through the major media outlets to describe unauthorized immigrants (Nevins 111). During President Carter’s administration the term “illegal alien” was forbidden, and instead the term “undocumented worker” was adopted.
The bottom line to all of this controversy is that we are not citizens of this world. Yes, we live in it, but as followers of the One who has rescued us from darkness to light, we are waiting for the hope we have in Christ. Suddenly we realize that “through him we both (documented, undocumented, tall, short, Asian, Hispanic) have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:18-20).
We, as true disciples of Christ, need to stop looking into the rights or wrongs of our society and start putting in practice the three simple rules of the Wesleyan way of living: do no harm, do good and stay in love with Christ. When we are able to do that then the barriers of cultures, language and legal status are broken and we are able to start ministering to the person’s soul. And through our prayers he or she can eventually be touched by the Spirit of the Living God and become not an alien, but a brother or sister.
In Mexico we have a saying, “por fin te cayó el veinte” (translated “when the coin goes down.”). Let me explain it. We used to have public telephones booths where you go, grab the handle, deposit a coin and dial. As soon as the other end answered, the coin would go down, connecting you with the person you were calling. We use this phrase when something has clicked in our mind or in our life, and suddenly we realize what has happened. Well, “por fin me cayó el veinte”. (My coin has gone down).
Sami during her “quinceañera” celebration
A couple of months ago we had a “quinceañera” celebration. In the Hispanic community this is when a girl reaches the age of 15, and is considered to now be a young woman instead of a child. It is a big celebration with music, special dances, great food and most of all the enormous joy of the family and friends honoring the young woman. In the USA it might be a “Sweet Sixteen” party or a “Debutante” party.
One of the most beautiful things I saw during all this festivity was when Sami (the girl being honored) chose Rockey and Jamie (an American family) to be her godparents. When asked why she chose them, she said, “If something happens to my parents, I would choose them as my new parents.” What about when Rockey and Sami sang together or when I saw Rockey (the president of El Grupo, the leadership team of Connection) dancing with Malena (a very funny lady), or when Sam (19 year old boy) was invited to join Sami’s escorts and dance a waltz with her. WOW!!
Sami with Rockey and Jamie Talley, the couple Sami chose to be her godparents
I saw what Connection has all been about. These people were not worrying about what others would say, nor worrying about their legal status. What a great testimony to others! This is the true aroma of the children of God. Then it hit me!!!! I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY!!! I love these people, people with whom we can be real with our flaws and imperfections, where we can talk in many accents even if sometimes it sounds funny; where we can dance and celebrate……and love God with what we have!!!
We have been able to break down many barriers and deepen our friendships, connecting cultures, races, and generations. I am so blessed to be the pastor of all these people. This is a place where we don’t have to have all things together, all the answers or the strategies. It is just a group of people finding God in their own journey. Leaving behind our differences of language, idiosyncrasies, status quo, and theology to enjoy life together -- and guess what? Julia, Lee’s daughter (another member of Connection) wants a quinceañera and she is not even Hispanic -- well this is the beauty of building bridges, and for Julia there is no difference.
I would like to finish with this great Franciscan Prayer so we can think about what is happening in our heart when we do ministry with people different from us:
“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers,half truths, and superficial relationships,so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice,oppression, and exploitations of people,so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.”
* Miguel Carpizo is lead pastor of Connection, a bilingual United Methodist Fellowship in the Cookeville District.
Word from Winkler: Racism on the loose
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
As I drove to a “Faith Leaders Roundtable on Immigration” this week, I listened to a report on National Public Radio (NPR) about Joe Arpaio, the flamboyant and controversial sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. Arpaio’s officers have begun detaining undocumented immigrants they encounter while carrying out other duties such as traffic stops.
Jim Winkler
The NPR report points out that Arpaio had stated previously his department was looking for real criminals, not undocumented immigrants. Arpaio apparently changed his tune, though, when he perceived that it had become politically popular to do so.
Hate crimes against the Hispanic community have increased dramatically.
Let’s be honest about this undocumented immigration situation, not just the actions of Sheriff Arpaio: Racism is on the loose. Hate crimes against the Hispanic community have increased dramatically.
The Anti-Defamation League made an important presentation to us during the roundtable about the activities of anti-immigrant organizations:
·The Ku Klux Klan is calling for a halt to the “Latino invasion.”
·The Minutemen has established vigilante groups along the U.S.-Mexico border, but doesn’t seem to be much concerned with the U.S.-Canada border.
·The National Socialist Movement of the USA (i.e., Nazis) and the Council of Conservative Citizens, which has roots in the old White Citizens Councils, have organized protests against undocumented immigrants and are using imagery similar to that of Nazi Germany, which described Jews as bugs, rodents, rats, cancer and feces. Immigrants today are being described as disease carriers and secret plotters against the United States.
Extremist rhetoric and ideology have moved into the mainstream:
·CNN commentator Lou Dobbs has promoted the notion of an “Aztlan conspiracy.” This theory claims that immigrants are operating on behalf of Mexico to regain control of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
·U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Col.) has asserted that immigrants are bringing leprosy from Brazil, the Caribbean, India and Mexico.
·U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has asserted that the influx of immigrants represents a slow-motion terrorist attack on the United States.
It is imperative United Methodists speak against this growing atmosphere of hatred and fear.
We must build coalitions among our congregations and immigrant and Hispanic organizations. We must oppose deputizing local and state authorities to enforce federal immigration laws.
Attempts to secure borders and enforce laws are legitimate. The question is how we attempt to accomplish these.
Fourteen million people, the estimated number of undocumented immigrants already in the United States, simply cannot be kept in the shadows, much less expelled from the country. Pollsters find that most Americans support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who work, pay taxes and try to learn English.
As United Methodists, our values derive from scripture, which sets forth the imperative to care for the sojourner and to welcome the stranger.
Jesus, who embodied the radical love of God to the world, modeled this love in the story of the good Samaritan.
The 2004 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church emphasizes this. It points out that Jesus, who embodied the radical love of God to the world, modeled this love in the story of the good Samaritan, a compassionate stranger.
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34, King James Version).
This is the radical love of God as expressed by Jesus Christ. It transcends race, nationality, and religion, and is a love that cries for justice and peace; it is a love that is sorely needed today. (Resolution #265 "Immigrants and Refugees: To Love the Sojourner," pg. 678)
Caring for immigrants makes good sense. After all, we’re all in this together, and we are stronger together.
What kind of society do we dream of and aspire to? Ought we not to treat others as we wish to be treated? Are we not a community rather than a club?
Portion of the Immigration Petition brought before General Conference 2009
From the dawn of creation human beings have migrated across the earth. The history of the United States is a migration narrative of families and individuals seeking safety, economic betterment, and freedom of religious and cultural expression. The reasons for those who immigrated willingly are numerous and varied depending on the context, but what all immigrants share is the promise of what they believe lies in another land other than their own. Migrants today continue to travel to North America because of the effects of globalization, dislocation, economic scarcity, persecution, and other reasons.
Tennessee Conference delegation, 2009 General Conference of the United Methodist Church
The arrival of migrants to the United States from so many parts of the world has also meant that there is a diversity of cultures and worldviews. The diversity of cultures, worldviews, and languages has placed an enormous strain upon migrants. To effectively deal with this trauma and ease the process of acculturation, migrants should be encouraged to preserve strong cultural and familial ties to their culture of origin.
The arrival of new cultures has also felt threatening to U.S. citizens and this has too often resulted in conflict and even violence. Throughout the history of the United States, the most recently-arrived group of migrants has often been a target of racism, marginalization, and violence. We regret any and all violence committed against migrants in the past and we resolve, as followers of Jesus, to work to eliminate racism and violence directed towards newly arriving migrants to the United States.
The Biblical and Theological Context
Reflecting upon the Scriptures, we are reminded that United Methodists are a global church. In the United States, we may be descendents of economic immigrants or forced migrants, or we may have recently arrived in the U.S. We may have formal documents proving U.S. citizenship, or we may be undocumented. Regardless of legal status or nationality, we are all connected through Christ to one another. Paul reminds us that when “one member suffers, all members suffer” as well (1 Corinthians 12:26). The solidarity we share through Christ eliminates the boundaries and barriers which exclude and isolate. Therefore, the sojourners we are called to love are our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters; indeed, they are us.
Throughout Scripture the people of God are called to love sojourners in our midst, treating them “as the citizen among you” and loving them as we do ourselves (Leviticus 19:33-34). Love for the sojourner is birthed out of the shared experience the Israelites had as a people in sojourn searching for the Promised Land. The attitudes and actions required of God’s people were to emanate from the reflection of their liberation from slavery by God’s hand. As the people of God were liberated from oppression, they too were charged to be instruments of redemption in the lives of the most vulnerable in their midst - the sojourner (Exodus 22:21, 23:9; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19, 16:12, 24:18, 24:22).
In the New Testament Jesus’ life begins as a refugee to Africa when he and his family flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s infanticide (Matthew 2:13-18). Jesus fully identifies with the sojourner to the point that to welcome the sojourner is to welcome Jesus himself (Matthew 25:35). Jesus teaches us to show special concern for the poor and oppressed who come to our land seeking survival and peace.
In Scripture, Jesus continually manifests compassion for the vulnerable and the poor. Jesus incarnated hospitality as he welcomed people and ministered to their greatest need. Jesus’ presence on earth initiated the Kingdom reality of a new social order based on love, grace, justice, inclusion, mercy, and egalitarianism, which was meant to replace the old order, characterized by nepotism, racism, classism, sexism, and exclusion. The broken immigration system in the United States and the xenophobic responses to migrants reflect the former social order. The calling of the people of God is to advocate for the creation of a new immigration system that reflects Jesus’ beloved community.
The fear and anguish so many migrants in the United States live under are due to federal raids, indefinite detention, and deportations which tear apart families and create an atmosphere of panic. Millions of immigrants are denied legal entry to the U.S. due to quotas and race and class barriers, even as employers seek their labor. U.S. policies, as well as economic and political conditions in their home countries, often force migrants to leave their homes. With the legal avenues closed, immigrants who come in order to support their families must live in the shadows and in intense exploitation and fear. In the face of these unjust laws and the systematic deportation of migrants instituted by the Department of Homeland Security, God’s people must stand in solidarity with the migrants in our midst.
There is theologically and historically an implied nature of mutuality in migration. Both the migrant and the native are meant to benefit from migration. Welcoming the migrant is not only an act of mission, it is an opportunity to receive God’s grace. The globalization of international economies and the continuing movement of migrants have created an increasingly diversified U.S. population and should be reflected in United Methodist congregations and national church leadership.
Therefore, The United Methodist Church understands that at the center of Christian faithfulness to Scripture is the call we have been given to love and welcome the sojourner. We call upon all United Methodist churches to welcome newly arriving immigrants in their communities, to love them as we do ourselves, to treat them as one of our native-born, to see in them the presence of the incarnated Jesus, and to show hospitality to the migrants in our midst believing that through their presence we are receiving the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God places us here in this world as a family: Commentary by Leslie Acton, Strangers No Longer*
I got an email the other day. A two-month old baby passed away not long ago in the United States because her parents were afraid to take her to the emergency room. Almost daily, children come home to find that their fathers, the sole financial providers of the family, have been arrested. This usually means inevitable deportation without the luxury of setting up a support system for their families, or even having the chance to say good-bye. People who have lived here for years, who have made this country their home, are suddenly forced to live in the shadows, fearing that they, like their neighbors, will soon be gone.
Leslie Acton
Regardless of our opinions about immigration, this is what is happening in America, in Tennessee, today. It makes me angry and sick to see us treating our neighbors this way. But, more than that, it makes me sad. We are missing the whole point.
I was reading a sermon by Rick Ufford-Chase awhile back. Tara Lentz, who also works with Strangers No Longer, had showed it to me after we returned from a talk given by Emily Snyder and Steven Miles, the founders of the organization*. The sermon talks about Mary and Joseph, how they come to an inn as low status citizens, unable to get a room even while Mary is clearly in labor. It speaks of Jesus’ birth, our Savior’s birth, in a stable. The King of Kings was born in a dirty stall filled with braying animals and rank odors. Not exactly a welcoming entrance into the world. It talked of God’s continued insistence of raising kings and queens in our world’s poorest, perhaps most unlikely, places. And I started to cry. Here is why.
I had been living in a small village in Guatemala for about a month. At that point, I had one consistent friend who would walk with me to the Parque Central about twice a week and practice Spanish vocabulary with me. The Presbytery, the regional governing body of Presbyterian churches with whom I worked, held a meeting one afternoon, complete with representatives of the women and youth of the Presbytery. Keeping in mind that my Spanish was still shaky at best, you can imagine my surprise and doubt when I heard the president of the Presbytery say that I was not to leave my home anymore without my pastor’s accompaniment. This came at a time when I felt so lonely and homesick, I already wanted to crawl into a hole every day. Let’s just say I was on the verge of tears.
As soon as the president stopped speaking, five hands shot up. The youth of the Presbytery had something to say. They made it clear that my rights and freedoms as a human being were on the line and that an attempt to trap me in a house all day was not only unnecessary, but cruel. My host brother, Pablo, leaned over, put his arm around me and said, “I know you don’t know what’s going on. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of this and we’ll explain it to you later.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
This was neither the first or last time I was astounded by people I met there. But upon reading Ufford-Chase’s sermon, I immediately remembered this story. Here I was, feeling completely alone, in a strange land with people I hardly knew. And these young men and women did not hesitate to jump to my aid, going against their elders to stand up for what they thought was right. This is the neighbor, the brother, the sister that Christ spoke of. Here is a glimpse of the leaders of Christ’s kingdom, though, sadly, not of our current world.
I share this because it is in knowing and learning from one another that we begin to hope for a glimpse of Christ’s kingdom on earth, where the first will be last and the last first. There are many lessons to learn of our own poverty from our immigrant sisters and brothers, though perhaps not of the sort that is outwardly obvious. Perhaps the point is not to reach out as American citizens to those who “need help.” It is to remember that we are all God’s children, all deserving of basic human freedoms and dignities. As we strive for this sort of equality with our neighbors, perhaps we will begin to see the point, that God places us here in this world as a family, to learn and grow with one another in ways we never could apart.
With hope,
Leslie Acton,
Strangers No Longer
*Strangers No Longer: Faithful Voices for Solidarity is an organization which strives to create safe spaces for discussion about immigration through the lens of faith. If you have questions or would like to invite Strangers No Longer to facilitate a discussion in your faith community, please contact Leslie Acton or Tara Lentz at faithandimmigration@yahoo.com.
Justice for Our Neighbors: A conversation with Katherine Dix-Esquivel
In 1999, Justice for Our Neighbors was created by the United Methodist Committee on Relief in response to the immigration reform act of 1996. UMCOR wanted to facilitate immigration ministries of local congregations. In 2007, JfON served more than 2,100 new clients at 22 sites throughout the US. According to UMCOR’s 2007 year-end report, the overwhelming majority of cases handled by JfON involved naturalization (gaining US citizenship) and family unity. Through its network of immigration attorneys and volunteers, JfON is able to provide reliable immigration advice and representation to the most vulnerable newcomers. The Nashville clinic started in April. Katherine Dix-Esquivel is a volunteer attorney with the clinic and has been instrumental in starting this ministry in Tennessee.
Katherine Dix Esquivel leads a workshop for JfON volunteers
What is the mission of Justice for Our Neighbors? The mission of JfON is two parts: first, we provide high-quality legal advice and representation at no-cost to low-income immigrants. The second and even more important part is to open our houses of worship to a section of our society that is marginalized. In opening our churches to a JfON clinic, we welcome our neighbors, break down barriers, and build a community together. We want to live out Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger, to serve the least among us. When church people are able to interact with newcomers to our country, to put a face on the immigration issue, to put our faith into action, we become more informed about the world beyond the church doors.
How is this mission accomplished? We hold monthly clinics run by volunteers, in which our clients first meet with volunteers to go through an initial interview and then with an experienced immigration attorney to discuss their immigration cases. Volunteers provide food for clients, activities for children, a welcome table, intake processing, and hospitality. It is the volunteers’ jobs to make the clients feel welcome and comfortable. The attorney’s job is to determine the viability of the clients’ cases. Some clients will have cases we can accept, and others will not.
How did you get involved with JfON? In the spring of 2007, Danny Upton, formerly the attorney at a Michigan JfON, spoke at Belmont UMC about JfON. Jan Snider, a member of Belmont and a producer at United Methodist Communications met Danny while doing a story on JfON at the Michigan clinic. Jan was so inspired by the program, that she invited Danny to speak in hopes of sparking interest in a local JfON clinic. My interest was definitely sparked! Together with several others, we began to explore the steps necessary to start a local clinic. Thanks to the work of many dedicated people, we were able to hold our first clinic in April, about a year after beginning the process.
What drew you to the issue of immigration? I attended law school in hopes of representing disadvantaged people and addressing issues of systemic poverty. After law school, I worked for legal aid for several years and then worked for the Southern Migrant Legal Services doing employment law for migrant farmworkers, where many of our clients were immigrants. Also my husband’s family is from Cuba, and I’ve been part of so many conversations about their immigration story. As a lawyer in Nashville, which has a growing immigrant population, I saw the dearth of immigration services in the legal community. Also, as the climate has become more and more hostile towards newcomers, it is incumbent on churches to take up this issue. As Christians, we need to reject the culture’s attempt at making immigrants into the feared “others” and welcome them into our houses of worship.
What happens during a typical clinic? A clinic lasts 3-4 hours. Our Nashville clinic has been on Saturday mornings on a monthly basis. Volunteers come to set up the area and create an activity space where children can be supervised while their parents receive services. Snacks are brought in, and volunteers prepare to welcome clients. Other roles volunteers fill are coordinating and taking intakes, translation, and copying, all leading to the consultation with the attorney. The volunteer roles are essential in the operation of the clinic. There are jobs for people of all backgrounds, experience, and commitment levels. We hold a clinic once a month, so most volunteers come for the afternoon. There are also behind-the-scenes needs, in fundraising, grant-writing, organization, etc. If you are interested in the mission of JfON, we can find a place for you to serve! Although this is a program of the United Methodist Church through UMCOR, we are open to clients and volunteers from all backgrounds.
What do you want the experience to be like to the clients? Our hope is that clients will feel welcome, feel at home, and leave having received honest advice on how to proceed with their immigration cases. Immigration status affects every aspect of a family’s life and even a little bit of good information can be a true blessing. During our last clinic, there were some cases we were able to take and others we could not. The clients left feeling that they had been cared for, and the volunteers left changed.
What needs does JfON have? Right now, our biggest need is funding to hire our own local attorney. For now, an attorney from the national JfON office is traveling to Nashville for each clinic. We have received some grant money to hire a part-time person to help us get JfON off the ground. If you are interested, or know of others who may be interested, please e-mail Katherine Esquivel at katherineesquivel@comcast.net or Jan Snider at jsider@uncom.org. We always need prayer, especially now as we are just getting started. And, last but not least, volunteers are always needed! If you would like to volunteer or if you know someone who needs our services, please e-mail Katherine or Jan at the above addresses and leave your contact information.
Protection and hope for refugees
Osman Koroma was a three-month-old babe in arms when he became a refugee. For 15 years, he suffered repeated displacement as his family fled civil war in Liberia and then Sierra Leone for a series of refugee camps in Guinea. To their struggle for survival was added a further challenge: At age 14, Osman lost his eyesight. He was thinking, “What am I going to do in the future, because I am blind? I can’t do anything anymore by myself.”
Osman Koroma, photo by Carol Fouke-Mpoyo
Help came when the U.S. Refugee Program extended protection and hope to Osman and his family. Church World Service took the case and arranged for the Koromas to go to Michigan where they were cosponsored by Hastings First United Methodist Church. The congregation did not hesitate to take on a teenager with special needs. Member Bobbi Roush said, “Actually, knowing he was blind made us more determined to have this family.”
Upon arrival in September 2005, Osman was placed in the ninth grade. Church tutors helped him catch up with his classmates and connected him with the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Osman, now 18, said he learned Braille “right away, and started to use a cane, and made new friends. Now if I need help, people help me, but I don’t need help that much anymore.
Sometimes I show some sighted kid how to get to classes because they get lost. I’m getting more independent. My life has changed. I’m learning many things.”
How to play the guitar, for example. When he starts college in 2009, Osman plans to study music and computer.
1. Why the church cares about immigrants.
2. Refugee Sponsorship Remains a Priority.
3. Refugee Profile – learn about one refugee family
4. The Golden Triangle Fellowship and Belmont UMC.
5. Breaking The Walls of Illegality.
6. Word from Winkler: Racism on the loose
7. Segments of the Immigration Petition brought before General Conference 2009.
8. God places us here in this world as a family: Commentary by Leslie Acton, Strangers No Longer.
9. Justice for Our Neighbors: A conversation with Katherine Dix-Esquivel.
10. Protection and hope for refugees, including article here but had to be cut from printed REVIEW due to lack of space.
11. Five additional articles of importance are attached to the leader’s guide for this special immigration/refugee issue of THE REVIEW – the leader’s guide and additional articles can be downloaded from http://tncands.blogspot.com/2008/10/leaders-guide-to-october-31-2008.html
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Why the church cares about immigrants
Scripture guidance is clear
By the Rev. Clayton Childers, Director for Annual Conference Relations, General Board of Church & Society. From Faith in Action: News and Views from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society, September 8, 2008. Used here by permission.
The Rev. Clayton ChildersThe argument is being put forth that the United States cannot afford more immigrants, that we need to build a fence along our southern border, put new restrictions on legal immigration, and prosecute the estimated 10 million foreigners among us who do not have proper documentation. Yet our United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s top policy-making body, disagreed with these arguments when it met in Ft. Worth, Texas, this spring.
In fact, by a vote of 825 to 29 it approved a resolution, “Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.,” that said it is complicit to sin “to refuse to welcome migrants to this country and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the immigrant community in the United States is demonized by members of Congress and the media.”
We cannot accept that immigrants, even if they are here illegally, are beyond the scope of God’s concern.
Why is that?
Much of the Christian faith community’s response to this issue is grounded in its commitment to Holy Scripture. Many Christians believe our primary ethical reference point is the Bible. We cannot accept that immigrants, even if they are here illegally, are beyond the scope of God’s concern.
Jesus’ clear call
These people are our neighbors. And as neighbors we must wrestle with Jesus’ clear call to all those who would come after him to “love your neighbor as you love yourself.” If I love my neighbor, how can I accept that my neighbor should be treated differently than others in the community simply because my neighbor came from another country, or has skin that is a different color, or speaks another language.
Jesus’ command makes no such allowance. Jesus simply said “love your neighbor as you love yourself.”
Frankly, it is hard to get around this.
If I were an immigrant in a new land, how would I want people to treat me?
Jesus also called on his followers to “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” If I were an immigrant in a new land, how would I want people to treat me? For Christians, these simple rules guide the way we live our lives, they govern our actions and affect our decision making.
Scripture further commands those who would follow God to “do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with your God.” Legal systems that serve the interests of those who are the “haves” while oppressing the “have nots” are unjust and must be opposed.
For many of us who profess a biblically grounded faith, it seems inconceivable to believe that God would want us to turn our back on the very poorest among us while they suffer abuse at the hands of the majority.
Bible stories
The Bible is filled with stories of people displaced from their homes traveling to foreign countries to begin new lives. Many of us have had similar experiences: moving to new communities, new neighborhoods, new jobs, new schools.
We can identify with Abraham, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the disciples, Paul, Silas, Barnabas and many other itinerant biblical characters. Their stories, if we let ourselves remember, are also our stories. Their experiences are our experiences. All of them found themselves seeking the hospitality of strangers, at times being welcomed and other times being turned away.
The uncertain nature of immigration is not a new phenomenon. The plight of those suffering today is similar to that others have endured in previous eras.
Thus, scripture reminds us: “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the LORD your God (Leviticus 19:33-34).”
As people of faith we are expected to take seriously the message of God and apply it to our daily lives. For us, the abuse of aliens for us is not acceptable.
Refugee Sponsorship Remains a Priority
By Liz Shadbolt*
Since 1946, Church World Service has been resettling refugees in the United States. While the first refugees were fleeing the aftermath of World War II, today’s refugees come from many diverse parts of the world. In the last year, most refugees arriving in the US hailed from Burma, Iraq, Iran, Bhutan, Somalia, Cuba, Burundi, the Ukraine, and Vietnam. For the first time since 2001, the United States met their proposed quota for resettlement in 2008 of 60,000 individuals for the year. For the coming year, the president has allowed for up to 80,000 admissions.
The refugee program begins with the United Nation High Commission for Refugees, who is charged with identifying refugees worldwide. The definition of a refugee is a person who is outside their country of nationality and is unable or unwilling to return due to a well-founded fear of persecution for one of the following reasons: race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, and/or political opinion.
Once a refugee is identified by the UNHCR, one of three durable solutions is sought for them – voluntary repatriation (the most ideal), local integration into the country of first asylum (typically a country bordering the homeland), or resettlement to a third country like the US). Of the estimated 14 million refugees worldwide, less than 1% of them are resettled in a third county. And, of this 1%, the US accepts more refugees than every other resettlement country combined. (Additional international refugee statistics are noted at the end of this article)
The US refugee program is a unique private/public partnership, with the emphasis on private. Historically, faith-based organizations have borne the majority of the responsibility for refugee resettlement. The government carefully screens all of those referred to it by the UNHCR, so refugees who are admitted to the US have gone through approximately 5 face-to-face interviews and a medical check before arriving. Refugee cases, grouped by family unit, are distributed to the resettlement agencies by the government. United Methodists are represented in this process by the United Methodist Committee on Relief who works, along with several other mainline denominations, with Church World Service. CWS has resettled 450,000+ refugees to the U.S. since 1946.
UMCOR depends on their affiliate offices throughout the country to handle the resettlement of refugee families. In areas without a CWS affiliate office like ours, many UM churches partner with the local Catholic Charities or World Relief office to assist in resettlement. Personally, I have always been a supporter of church-based sponsorship since I worked with a CWS affiliate in Columbus, Ohio. When a church welcomes a refugee family to our community, provides the basics for the beginning of a new life, and offers them their friendship and support, the world becomes so much smaller. There are reasons that so few refugees are resettled – it’s not easy for anyone! Can you imagine leaving behind everyone and everything you’ve ever known to begin life again in a foreign country where you don’t speak the language, know no one, and have no idea what will happen to you? Can you imagine doing this after being scarred physically and mentally by war or other trauma? The government does provide some assistance to the refugees it accepts, but the “private” part of this partnership is most important at the local level. This is why people of faith have been instrumental in refugee resettlement for over 50 years. We believe that all people are made in the image of God. We believe that God has intention and use for each human life. We love the story of the innkeeper who was willing to give a young couple space in his barn and the Samaritan who helped when others did not. Welcoming is part of who we are as Christians and as United Methodists.
Refugee sponsorship provides us a challenging and fruitful opportunity to practice our faith. If you would like to learn more about the refugee situation in our world, our church’s response, or resettlement opportunities, please contact Elizabeth Shadbolt, lizshadbolt@bellsouth.net, phone 615/834-1331
Refugee Facts from the World Refugee Survey 2007
13.9 million Number of refugees & asylum seekers worldwide
8.8 million Refugees who’ve spent 5+ years in camps
21 million People forcibly displaced within their own countries
48,281 Refugees resettled in the U.S. in Fiscal Year 2007
Middle East Region with the largest number of refugees
*Elizabeth “Liz” Shadbolt is Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Coordinator, Mercy, Mission, and Justice Ministries of the Tennessee Annual Conference
Refugee Profile
Ling family from Burma (Myanmar)Meet the Ling family from Burma (Myanmar). They were recently resettled to Nashville through Catholic Charities. Each year, many families like the Lings are brought to Nashville to re-start lives that have been interrupted by war, religious or political persecution, or genocide. This area is popular because of the low cost of living, job opportunities, welcoming atmosphere, and temperate climate. The Lings are well on their way to a new, secure life and promising future. If you have gifts that would benefit families like the Lings, please contact Catholic Charities’ volunteer coordinator Marcheta Claus at 760-2790 or mclaus@cctenn.org.
Family members include: Rum Ling, 58; Mary Ling, 53; Mang Za Ling, 18; Khom Bawi Thang, 17; Bawi Lian Thang, 15; Za Thawng Lian, 12
Their country of First Asylum was Malaysia (3 years). They left Burma because of religious and ethnic discrimination, brought about by their support of the pro-democracy movement (in opposition to the military rule that has been in place since the 1980’s).
This family had a very smooth resettlement period in the United States. They were lucky that their oldest son had taught himself English while in Malaysia. He used a combination of an English grammar book he found and American cd’s- particularly Shania Twain! As a result, he was able to interpret for his family and others in the Burmese community.
As the Burmese are a relatively new population to Nashville, the language barrier has been a difficult one to overcome. Mang Za Ling is one of the few qualified interpreters in his community, and he pulled in many different directions. English classes are very important, but it is sometimes difficult for the adults to balance their work schedule with their class schedule. Many of the Burmese, this family included, have difficulty with car sickness, as they are not used to travelling by car.
Education/Occupation:
Rum Ling- 7 years of education in Burma, Experience as a carpenter and farmer, Current occupation: Dishwasher @ Doubletree Hotel
Mary Ling- 4 years of education in Burma, Experience as a seamstress & landscaper, Current occupation: Housekeeper @ Doubletree Hotel
Mang Za Ling- Completed high school in Burma/Malaysia, Experience as an interpreter & electrician, Current occupation: Opryland Hotel, Interpreter for Catholic Charities, Siloam, & Metro Schools
Khom Bawi Thang- Currently attending school @ Overton High School
Bawi Lian Thang- Currently attending the International Newcomer Academy
Za Thawng Lian- Currently attending McMurray Middle School
Assistance Received During Resettlement:
1. Housing, furniture, clothing and food
2. Airport Pick-up
3. Applying for social security cards, initial foodstamps and health insurance
4. Assistance with initial medical screening, school enrollment, and adult English class enrollment
5. Job placement services
6. General acculturation services
Future Needs in the Resettlement Program:
+We are always looking for donations of furniture and hygiene products (we are unable to accept clothing donations due to space limitations)
+Family Mentors- becoming a refugee family’s ‘American friend,’ assisting in acculturation, assisting with family’s appointments
+Church Sponsors- assisting a family throughout the entire resettlement process, collecting donations for the family’s apartment, setting up the apartment, meeting the family at the airport, assisting with the acculturation process
The Golden Triangle Fellowship and Belmont UMC
The Golden Triangle Fellowship (GTF), a group within the membership of Belmont UMC in Nashville TN is different from most groups in a typical American church. The name “Golden Triangle” describes the area of the world from which the GTF members have come: Thailand, Myanmar (Burma), and Laos. Some of the GTF members left their homelands fleeing religious persecution; many of them lived in refugee camps for months or years before coming to the United States.
Sandy Sakarapanee (right) with Belmont UMC/Golden Triangle Fellowship group at Youth Missions Camp, Lake JunaluskaThe Golden Triangle Fellowship The GTF Sunday worship service usually lasts a little longer than Belmont’s English services, partly because the GTF worships in at least five languages: English, Burmese, Chin, Karen (a Burmese dialect), and Thai. The bulletin is printed in Thai and English. Lay persons pray and read the scripture lessons in their various native languages. God’s word is preached in English and Thai, and interpreted into Karen and Burmese. Persons are encouraged to offer a song or give testimony in their native tongue. The GTF praises one God with a joyful noise, singing familiar hymns in many different languages simultaneously.
Golden Triangle Fellowship children participate in week-long camp sponsored by the youth of Belmont United MethodistThe GTF began within Belmont UMC in 2004 with Pastor Sandy Sakarapanee and her husband, Nick. Although they grew up in Thailand, Sandy and Nick have lived in the United States long enough to raise their three American-born children to adulthood. Years ago, Pastor Sandy was ordained in another Christian tradition. At that time she and Nick began evangelizing and discipling individuals and families who were coming to America from the South Central region of Asia they used to call home. Sandy and Nick had taken a respite from evangelistic work when they joined Belmont UMC in the fall of 2003. They came to Belmont in part because their son Ken had worshipped with Belmont for several years as a Vanderbilt University undergraduate and then as a graduate student. As a new member, Sandy asked for permission and the blessings of Belmont to renew her evangelistic work with immigrants from Thailand, Burma, and Laos through the services and facilities of Belmont. There was no expectation that she would receive any remuneration for her efforts, this was simply a ministry she felt called to provide.
The first Golden Triangle worship service was held in Belmont's Ferguson Chapel on February 1, 2004, with only five persons in addition to Sandy and Nick. The congregation grew slowly at first, until it reached about fifty people, including children. Then it mushroomed. Currently the GTF worship service is attended by over 150 people each Sunday.
When persons worshipping in the GTF were ready to become professing and baptized Christians, they joined Belmont UMC. Because Sandy’s ordination was in a different denomination, a United Methodist Elder would come to the GTF worship service or the GTF would worship together with the English speaking Belmont service to celebrate baptisms, communion, weddings, and the covenant of church membership.
In May of 2007 Pastor Sandy completed Local Pastor Licensing School at Martin Methodist College, and was appointed by Bishop Richard Wills to serve at Belmont UMC as a part-time local pastor. Also in 2007 Belmont UMC requested and was awarded a Church Revitalization grant from the Tennessee Conference that would fund a salary for Rev. Sandy Sakarapanee in 2008. At the Tennessee Annual Conference in 2008, Pastor Sandy received the Denman Award for Evangelism.
At the time of this writing, the GTF has nurtured 98 adults to become members of Belmont UMC. There are at least twice that many GTF-related participants in Belmont’s ministries. Two adult GTF Sunday School classes meet each week, one in Thai, Laotian, and Burmese; the other meets in Karen. English-speaking Belmonters lead a GTF Children’s Choir and a children’s Sunday School class geared especially toward children who have not yet learned English. A GTF United Methodist Women’s Circle was formed in 2006, and GTF Belmonters also serve as At-Large Members of Belmont's Administrative Board.
Sandy’s ministry is not limited to the weekly Sunday School classes and worship service; it also includes the work of receiving and settling new immigrants who are making their way to Nashville. These persons must deal on a daily basis with the realities of getting settled in a new country and culture. They have many physical, material, and spiritual needs. Pastor Sandy works with World Relief and Catholic Charities on housing arrangements and everyday necessities such as food, furniture, linens, clothing, and diapers.
Immigrants who meet Pastor Sandy are blessed to have an advocate working among them to create a community called the Golden Triangle Fellowship at Belmont, and who remains in constant prayer on their behalf.
Breaking The Walls of Illegality
By Miguel Carpizo*
Pastor Carpizo’s congregation. There is a difference between doing wrong and becoming something wrong. Doing something wrong is about behavior, about the way we do certain things. Becoming “something wrong” includes changing the DNA of a human being. There is an increasing controversy about the issue of illegal immigration—this is, by the way, the right term—especially while the politicians are in the midst of their campaigns. The phrases people use when talking about immigrants—illegal people and illegal aliens—for those who have come to the USA without the proper documents are incorrect, and sometimes inhuman. Just because people do something wrong, they don’t become illegal human beings. Being illegal is not an identity, but a behavior.
When a man decides to steal from the local market; he does not become an illegal human, he becomes a robber. His action—not his nature—needs to be judged by the court of law. The term” illegal” referring to describe people coming to the United States with no documents, “found no reference to it in regards to immigrants prior to 1950. Over the last few decades, however, public discourse has increasingly employed the term to describe unauthorized immigrants to the point where, today, it is almost exclusively the term of choice.” (Nevins 96). In 1977, the term “illegal” was used 76% through the major media outlets to describe unauthorized immigrants (Nevins 111). During President Carter’s administration the term “illegal alien” was forbidden, and instead the term “undocumented worker” was adopted.
The bottom line to all of this controversy is that we are not citizens of this world. Yes, we live in it, but as followers of the One who has rescued us from darkness to light, we are waiting for the hope we have in Christ. Suddenly we realize that “through him we both (documented, undocumented, tall, short, Asian, Hispanic) have access to the Father by one Spirit. Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God's people and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone.” (Ephesians 2:18-20).
We, as true disciples of Christ, need to stop looking into the rights or wrongs of our society and start putting in practice the three simple rules of the Wesleyan way of living: do no harm, do good and stay in love with Christ. When we are able to do that then the barriers of cultures, language and legal status are broken and we are able to start ministering to the person’s soul. And through our prayers he or she can eventually be touched by the Spirit of the Living God and become not an alien, but a brother or sister.
In Mexico we have a saying, “por fin te cayó el veinte” (translated “when the coin goes down.”). Let me explain it. We used to have public telephones booths where you go, grab the handle, deposit a coin and dial. As soon as the other end answered, the coin would go down, connecting you with the person you were calling. We use this phrase when something has clicked in our mind or in our life, and suddenly we realize what has happened. Well, “por fin me cayó el veinte”. (My coin has gone down).
Sami during her “quinceañera” celebrationA couple of months ago we had a “quinceañera” celebration. In the Hispanic community this is when a girl reaches the age of 15, and is considered to now be a young woman instead of a child. It is a big celebration with music, special dances, great food and most of all the enormous joy of the family and friends honoring the young woman. In the USA it might be a “Sweet Sixteen” party or a “Debutante” party.
One of the most beautiful things I saw during all this festivity was when Sami (the girl being honored) chose Rockey and Jamie (an American family) to be her godparents. When asked why she chose them, she said, “If something happens to my parents, I would choose them as my new parents.” What about when Rockey and Sami sang together or when I saw Rockey (the president of El Grupo, the leadership team of Connection) dancing with Malena (a very funny lady), or when Sam (19 year old boy) was invited to join Sami’s escorts and dance a waltz with her. WOW!!
Sami with Rockey and Jamie Talley, the couple Sami chose to be her godparentsI saw what Connection has all been about. These people were not worrying about what others would say, nor worrying about their legal status. What a great testimony to others! This is the true aroma of the children of God. Then it hit me!!!! I LOVE THIS COMMUNITY!!! I love these people, people with whom we can be real with our flaws and imperfections, where we can talk in many accents even if sometimes it sounds funny; where we can dance and celebrate……and love God with what we have!!!
We have been able to break down many barriers and deepen our friendships, connecting cultures, races, and generations. I am so blessed to be the pastor of all these people. This is a place where we don’t have to have all things together, all the answers or the strategies. It is just a group of people finding God in their own journey. Leaving behind our differences of language, idiosyncrasies, status quo, and theology to enjoy life together -- and guess what? Julia, Lee’s daughter (another member of Connection) wants a quinceañera and she is not even Hispanic -- well this is the beauty of building bridges, and for Julia there is no difference.
I would like to finish with this great Franciscan Prayer so we can think about what is happening in our heart when we do ministry with people different from us:
“May God bless you with discomfort at easy answers,half truths, and superficial relationships,so that you may live deep within your heart.
May God bless you with anger at injustice,oppression, and exploitations of people,so that you may work for justice, freedom, and peace.”
* Miguel Carpizo is lead pastor of Connection, a bilingual United Methodist Fellowship in the Cookeville District.
Word from Winkler: Racism on the loose
By Jim Winkler, General Secretary, General Board of Church & Society
As I drove to a “Faith Leaders Roundtable on Immigration” this week, I listened to a report on National Public Radio (NPR) about Joe Arpaio, the flamboyant and controversial sheriff of Maricopa County, Arizona. Arpaio’s officers have begun detaining undocumented immigrants they encounter while carrying out other duties such as traffic stops.
Jim WinklerThe NPR report points out that Arpaio had stated previously his department was looking for real criminals, not undocumented immigrants. Arpaio apparently changed his tune, though, when he perceived that it had become politically popular to do so.
Hate crimes against the Hispanic community have increased dramatically.
Let’s be honest about this undocumented immigration situation, not just the actions of Sheriff Arpaio: Racism is on the loose. Hate crimes against the Hispanic community have increased dramatically.
The Anti-Defamation League made an important presentation to us during the roundtable about the activities of anti-immigrant organizations:
·The Ku Klux Klan is calling for a halt to the “Latino invasion.”
·The Minutemen has established vigilante groups along the U.S.-Mexico border, but doesn’t seem to be much concerned with the U.S.-Canada border.
·The National Socialist Movement of the USA (i.e., Nazis) and the Council of Conservative Citizens, which has roots in the old White Citizens Councils, have organized protests against undocumented immigrants and are using imagery similar to that of Nazi Germany, which described Jews as bugs, rodents, rats, cancer and feces. Immigrants today are being described as disease carriers and secret plotters against the United States.
Extremist rhetoric and ideology have moved into the mainstream:
·CNN commentator Lou Dobbs has promoted the notion of an “Aztlan conspiracy.” This theory claims that immigrants are operating on behalf of Mexico to regain control of California, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona.
·U.S. Rep. Tom Tancredo (R-Col.) has asserted that immigrants are bringing leprosy from Brazil, the Caribbean, India and Mexico.
·U.S. Rep. Steve King (R-Iowa) has asserted that the influx of immigrants represents a slow-motion terrorist attack on the United States.
It is imperative United Methodists speak against this growing atmosphere of hatred and fear.
We must build coalitions among our congregations and immigrant and Hispanic organizations. We must oppose deputizing local and state authorities to enforce federal immigration laws.
Attempts to secure borders and enforce laws are legitimate. The question is how we attempt to accomplish these.
Fourteen million people, the estimated number of undocumented immigrants already in the United States, simply cannot be kept in the shadows, much less expelled from the country. Pollsters find that most Americans support a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants who work, pay taxes and try to learn English.
As United Methodists, our values derive from scripture, which sets forth the imperative to care for the sojourner and to welcome the stranger.
Jesus, who embodied the radical love of God to the world, modeled this love in the story of the good Samaritan.
The 2004 Book of Resolutions of The United Methodist Church emphasizes this. It points out that Jesus, who embodied the radical love of God to the world, modeled this love in the story of the good Samaritan, a compassionate stranger.
“But a certain Samaritan, as he journeyed, came where he was: and when he saw him, he had compassion on him, and went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast, and brought him to an inn, and took care of him” (Luke 10:33-34, King James Version).
This is the radical love of God as expressed by Jesus Christ. It transcends race, nationality, and religion, and is a love that cries for justice and peace; it is a love that is sorely needed today. (Resolution #265 "Immigrants and Refugees: To Love the Sojourner," pg. 678)
Caring for immigrants makes good sense. After all, we’re all in this together, and we are stronger together.
What kind of society do we dream of and aspire to? Ought we not to treat others as we wish to be treated? Are we not a community rather than a club?
Portion of the Immigration Petition brought before General Conference 2009
From the dawn of creation human beings have migrated across the earth. The history of the United States is a migration narrative of families and individuals seeking safety, economic betterment, and freedom of religious and cultural expression. The reasons for those who immigrated willingly are numerous and varied depending on the context, but what all immigrants share is the promise of what they believe lies in another land other than their own. Migrants today continue to travel to North America because of the effects of globalization, dislocation, economic scarcity, persecution, and other reasons.
Tennessee Conference delegation, 2009 General Conference of the United Methodist ChurchThe arrival of migrants to the United States from so many parts of the world has also meant that there is a diversity of cultures and worldviews. The diversity of cultures, worldviews, and languages has placed an enormous strain upon migrants. To effectively deal with this trauma and ease the process of acculturation, migrants should be encouraged to preserve strong cultural and familial ties to their culture of origin.
The arrival of new cultures has also felt threatening to U.S. citizens and this has too often resulted in conflict and even violence. Throughout the history of the United States, the most recently-arrived group of migrants has often been a target of racism, marginalization, and violence. We regret any and all violence committed against migrants in the past and we resolve, as followers of Jesus, to work to eliminate racism and violence directed towards newly arriving migrants to the United States.
The Biblical and Theological Context
Reflecting upon the Scriptures, we are reminded that United Methodists are a global church. In the United States, we may be descendents of economic immigrants or forced migrants, or we may have recently arrived in the U.S. We may have formal documents proving U.S. citizenship, or we may be undocumented. Regardless of legal status or nationality, we are all connected through Christ to one another. Paul reminds us that when “one member suffers, all members suffer” as well (1 Corinthians 12:26). The solidarity we share through Christ eliminates the boundaries and barriers which exclude and isolate. Therefore, the sojourners we are called to love are our brothers and sisters, our mothers and fathers, our sons and daughters; indeed, they are us.
Throughout Scripture the people of God are called to love sojourners in our midst, treating them “as the citizen among you” and loving them as we do ourselves (Leviticus 19:33-34). Love for the sojourner is birthed out of the shared experience the Israelites had as a people in sojourn searching for the Promised Land. The attitudes and actions required of God’s people were to emanate from the reflection of their liberation from slavery by God’s hand. As the people of God were liberated from oppression, they too were charged to be instruments of redemption in the lives of the most vulnerable in their midst - the sojourner (Exodus 22:21, 23:9; Leviticus 19:34; Deuteronomy 10:19, 16:12, 24:18, 24:22).
In the New Testament Jesus’ life begins as a refugee to Africa when he and his family flee to Egypt to escape Herod’s infanticide (Matthew 2:13-18). Jesus fully identifies with the sojourner to the point that to welcome the sojourner is to welcome Jesus himself (Matthew 25:35). Jesus teaches us to show special concern for the poor and oppressed who come to our land seeking survival and peace.
In Scripture, Jesus continually manifests compassion for the vulnerable and the poor. Jesus incarnated hospitality as he welcomed people and ministered to their greatest need. Jesus’ presence on earth initiated the Kingdom reality of a new social order based on love, grace, justice, inclusion, mercy, and egalitarianism, which was meant to replace the old order, characterized by nepotism, racism, classism, sexism, and exclusion. The broken immigration system in the United States and the xenophobic responses to migrants reflect the former social order. The calling of the people of God is to advocate for the creation of a new immigration system that reflects Jesus’ beloved community.
The fear and anguish so many migrants in the United States live under are due to federal raids, indefinite detention, and deportations which tear apart families and create an atmosphere of panic. Millions of immigrants are denied legal entry to the U.S. due to quotas and race and class barriers, even as employers seek their labor. U.S. policies, as well as economic and political conditions in their home countries, often force migrants to leave their homes. With the legal avenues closed, immigrants who come in order to support their families must live in the shadows and in intense exploitation and fear. In the face of these unjust laws and the systematic deportation of migrants instituted by the Department of Homeland Security, God’s people must stand in solidarity with the migrants in our midst.
There is theologically and historically an implied nature of mutuality in migration. Both the migrant and the native are meant to benefit from migration. Welcoming the migrant is not only an act of mission, it is an opportunity to receive God’s grace. The globalization of international economies and the continuing movement of migrants have created an increasingly diversified U.S. population and should be reflected in United Methodist congregations and national church leadership.
Therefore, The United Methodist Church understands that at the center of Christian faithfulness to Scripture is the call we have been given to love and welcome the sojourner. We call upon all United Methodist churches to welcome newly arriving immigrants in their communities, to love them as we do ourselves, to treat them as one of our native-born, to see in them the presence of the incarnated Jesus, and to show hospitality to the migrants in our midst believing that through their presence we are receiving the good news of the gospel of Jesus Christ.
God places us here in this world as a family: Commentary by Leslie Acton, Strangers No Longer*
I got an email the other day. A two-month old baby passed away not long ago in the United States because her parents were afraid to take her to the emergency room. Almost daily, children come home to find that their fathers, the sole financial providers of the family, have been arrested. This usually means inevitable deportation without the luxury of setting up a support system for their families, or even having the chance to say good-bye. People who have lived here for years, who have made this country their home, are suddenly forced to live in the shadows, fearing that they, like their neighbors, will soon be gone.
Leslie ActonRegardless of our opinions about immigration, this is what is happening in America, in Tennessee, today. It makes me angry and sick to see us treating our neighbors this way. But, more than that, it makes me sad. We are missing the whole point.
I was reading a sermon by Rick Ufford-Chase awhile back. Tara Lentz, who also works with Strangers No Longer, had showed it to me after we returned from a talk given by Emily Snyder and Steven Miles, the founders of the organization*. The sermon talks about Mary and Joseph, how they come to an inn as low status citizens, unable to get a room even while Mary is clearly in labor. It speaks of Jesus’ birth, our Savior’s birth, in a stable. The King of Kings was born in a dirty stall filled with braying animals and rank odors. Not exactly a welcoming entrance into the world. It talked of God’s continued insistence of raising kings and queens in our world’s poorest, perhaps most unlikely, places. And I started to cry. Here is why.
I had been living in a small village in Guatemala for about a month. At that point, I had one consistent friend who would walk with me to the Parque Central about twice a week and practice Spanish vocabulary with me. The Presbytery, the regional governing body of Presbyterian churches with whom I worked, held a meeting one afternoon, complete with representatives of the women and youth of the Presbytery. Keeping in mind that my Spanish was still shaky at best, you can imagine my surprise and doubt when I heard the president of the Presbytery say that I was not to leave my home anymore without my pastor’s accompaniment. This came at a time when I felt so lonely and homesick, I already wanted to crawl into a hole every day. Let’s just say I was on the verge of tears.
As soon as the president stopped speaking, five hands shot up. The youth of the Presbytery had something to say. They made it clear that my rights and freedoms as a human being were on the line and that an attempt to trap me in a house all day was not only unnecessary, but cruel. My host brother, Pablo, leaned over, put his arm around me and said, “I know you don’t know what’s going on. But don’t worry, we’ll take care of this and we’ll explain it to you later.” I breathed a sigh of relief.
This was neither the first or last time I was astounded by people I met there. But upon reading Ufford-Chase’s sermon, I immediately remembered this story. Here I was, feeling completely alone, in a strange land with people I hardly knew. And these young men and women did not hesitate to jump to my aid, going against their elders to stand up for what they thought was right. This is the neighbor, the brother, the sister that Christ spoke of. Here is a glimpse of the leaders of Christ’s kingdom, though, sadly, not of our current world.
I share this because it is in knowing and learning from one another that we begin to hope for a glimpse of Christ’s kingdom on earth, where the first will be last and the last first. There are many lessons to learn of our own poverty from our immigrant sisters and brothers, though perhaps not of the sort that is outwardly obvious. Perhaps the point is not to reach out as American citizens to those who “need help.” It is to remember that we are all God’s children, all deserving of basic human freedoms and dignities. As we strive for this sort of equality with our neighbors, perhaps we will begin to see the point, that God places us here in this world as a family, to learn and grow with one another in ways we never could apart.
With hope,
Leslie Acton,
Strangers No Longer
*Strangers No Longer: Faithful Voices for Solidarity is an organization which strives to create safe spaces for discussion about immigration through the lens of faith. If you have questions or would like to invite Strangers No Longer to facilitate a discussion in your faith community, please contact Leslie Acton or Tara Lentz at faithandimmigration@yahoo.com.
Justice for Our Neighbors: A conversation with Katherine Dix-Esquivel
In 1999, Justice for Our Neighbors was created by the United Methodist Committee on Relief in response to the immigration reform act of 1996. UMCOR wanted to facilitate immigration ministries of local congregations. In 2007, JfON served more than 2,100 new clients at 22 sites throughout the US. According to UMCOR’s 2007 year-end report, the overwhelming majority of cases handled by JfON involved naturalization (gaining US citizenship) and family unity. Through its network of immigration attorneys and volunteers, JfON is able to provide reliable immigration advice and representation to the most vulnerable newcomers. The Nashville clinic started in April. Katherine Dix-Esquivel is a volunteer attorney with the clinic and has been instrumental in starting this ministry in Tennessee.
Katherine Dix Esquivel leads a workshop for JfON volunteersWhat is the mission of Justice for Our Neighbors? The mission of JfON is two parts: first, we provide high-quality legal advice and representation at no-cost to low-income immigrants. The second and even more important part is to open our houses of worship to a section of our society that is marginalized. In opening our churches to a JfON clinic, we welcome our neighbors, break down barriers, and build a community together. We want to live out Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger, to serve the least among us. When church people are able to interact with newcomers to our country, to put a face on the immigration issue, to put our faith into action, we become more informed about the world beyond the church doors.
How is this mission accomplished? We hold monthly clinics run by volunteers, in which our clients first meet with volunteers to go through an initial interview and then with an experienced immigration attorney to discuss their immigration cases. Volunteers provide food for clients, activities for children, a welcome table, intake processing, and hospitality. It is the volunteers’ jobs to make the clients feel welcome and comfortable. The attorney’s job is to determine the viability of the clients’ cases. Some clients will have cases we can accept, and others will not.
How did you get involved with JfON? In the spring of 2007, Danny Upton, formerly the attorney at a Michigan JfON, spoke at Belmont UMC about JfON. Jan Snider, a member of Belmont and a producer at United Methodist Communications met Danny while doing a story on JfON at the Michigan clinic. Jan was so inspired by the program, that she invited Danny to speak in hopes of sparking interest in a local JfON clinic. My interest was definitely sparked! Together with several others, we began to explore the steps necessary to start a local clinic. Thanks to the work of many dedicated people, we were able to hold our first clinic in April, about a year after beginning the process.
What drew you to the issue of immigration? I attended law school in hopes of representing disadvantaged people and addressing issues of systemic poverty. After law school, I worked for legal aid for several years and then worked for the Southern Migrant Legal Services doing employment law for migrant farmworkers, where many of our clients were immigrants. Also my husband’s family is from Cuba, and I’ve been part of so many conversations about their immigration story. As a lawyer in Nashville, which has a growing immigrant population, I saw the dearth of immigration services in the legal community. Also, as the climate has become more and more hostile towards newcomers, it is incumbent on churches to take up this issue. As Christians, we need to reject the culture’s attempt at making immigrants into the feared “others” and welcome them into our houses of worship.
What happens during a typical clinic? A clinic lasts 3-4 hours. Our Nashville clinic has been on Saturday mornings on a monthly basis. Volunteers come to set up the area and create an activity space where children can be supervised while their parents receive services. Snacks are brought in, and volunteers prepare to welcome clients. Other roles volunteers fill are coordinating and taking intakes, translation, and copying, all leading to the consultation with the attorney. The volunteer roles are essential in the operation of the clinic. There are jobs for people of all backgrounds, experience, and commitment levels. We hold a clinic once a month, so most volunteers come for the afternoon. There are also behind-the-scenes needs, in fundraising, grant-writing, organization, etc. If you are interested in the mission of JfON, we can find a place for you to serve! Although this is a program of the United Methodist Church through UMCOR, we are open to clients and volunteers from all backgrounds.
What do you want the experience to be like to the clients? Our hope is that clients will feel welcome, feel at home, and leave having received honest advice on how to proceed with their immigration cases. Immigration status affects every aspect of a family’s life and even a little bit of good information can be a true blessing. During our last clinic, there were some cases we were able to take and others we could not. The clients left feeling that they had been cared for, and the volunteers left changed.
What needs does JfON have? Right now, our biggest need is funding to hire our own local attorney. For now, an attorney from the national JfON office is traveling to Nashville for each clinic. We have received some grant money to hire a part-time person to help us get JfON off the ground. If you are interested, or know of others who may be interested, please e-mail Katherine Esquivel at katherineesquivel@comcast.net or Jan Snider at jsider@uncom.org. We always need prayer, especially now as we are just getting started. And, last but not least, volunteers are always needed! If you would like to volunteer or if you know someone who needs our services, please e-mail Katherine or Jan at the above addresses and leave your contact information.
Protection and hope for refugees
Osman Koroma was a three-month-old babe in arms when he became a refugee. For 15 years, he suffered repeated displacement as his family fled civil war in Liberia and then Sierra Leone for a series of refugee camps in Guinea. To their struggle for survival was added a further challenge: At age 14, Osman lost his eyesight. He was thinking, “What am I going to do in the future, because I am blind? I can’t do anything anymore by myself.”
Osman Koroma, photo by Carol Fouke-MpoyoHelp came when the U.S. Refugee Program extended protection and hope to Osman and his family. Church World Service took the case and arranged for the Koromas to go to Michigan where they were cosponsored by Hastings First United Methodist Church. The congregation did not hesitate to take on a teenager with special needs. Member Bobbi Roush said, “Actually, knowing he was blind made us more determined to have this family.”
Upon arrival in September 2005, Osman was placed in the ninth grade. Church tutors helped him catch up with his classmates and connected him with the Michigan Commission for the Blind. Osman, now 18, said he learned Braille “right away, and started to use a cane, and made new friends. Now if I need help, people help me, but I don’t need help that much anymore.
Sometimes I show some sighted kid how to get to classes because they get lost. I’m getting more independent. My life has changed. I’m learning many things.”
How to play the guitar, for example. When he starts college in 2009, Osman plans to study music and computer.
posted by TN Conference UMC @ 10:30 AM
Church members unload equipment for a worship service held in the gymnasium at an elementary school. UMNS photo by Ronny Perry
The children of Cornerstone Class figure out what they need to fill the flood buckets.
Excitement ran high during the ground breaking ceremony for the new Family Life Center at Springfield FUMC on September 11, as local leaders joined with church officials and members in the celebration. Using the Service for the Breaking of Ground for a Church Building from The United Methodist Book of Worship, Senior Pastor Don Hutchinson led those gathered through this joyful and inspirational time. Clarksville District Superintendent John Casey closed the service with prayer. Retired pastor Jeff Fryer, who once served this congregation, also joined those gathered to commemorate the event.
