Inviting Disciples to Begin Immigration Conversations Around Columbus Day!

Jennifer Riggs Invitation to Conversations	Sharon Watkins A Witness for Wholeness	April Johnson The Whole Family of God
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David Vargas Join a Struggle for Dignity	Rick Morse Immigration Policies Impact our Sister Congregations	LaMarco Cable Called to Deep Levels of Engagement
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For a YouTube listing of the Immigration Coversation go to //www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2B1A8408EE34A716

Conversations continued at a Border Conference in San Diego, February 10-13, 2011!

Learn More about those Conversations!

Read the Statement Issued!

Learn about Young Adult Participation!

Dear Disciples:

U.S. immigration reform is one of the issues that dominate public discussion these days. Americans are taking sides and forming opinions based on what they learn about the issue through the public media. As Christians, however, we are called to approach the topic from a faith perspective. What does our faith have to say about immigration? What are we being called to do in this country at this time as the body of Christ? As a denomination formed by immigrants and now becoming more diverse through immigration, how does the immigration debate affect our church?

I invite all U.S. Disciples congregations to set aside some time around Columbus Day this year (October 12) to have conversations on immigration. Whatever the political positions of members of your congregation, it is important to come together as the body of Christ to have conversations with one another on this important issue that deeply affects the life and ministry of our denomination.

If your congregation is unable to have these conversations in October, please find another time this year that works for you. Canadian Disciples, who celebrate Thanksgiving on October 11, are encouraged to include a prayer for immigrants to Canada during their celebrations that day.

Jennifer Riggs, Director
Refugee and Immigration Ministries (RIM)
Disciples Home Missions

Guidelines and Resources for Planning Conversations

Guidelines:

• Keep the conversation on track by framing the conversation as a faith conversation, not a political conversation;
• Respect each person no matter what their opinion - they are your brother or sister in Christ and you worship God together each Sunday; and
• Invite immigrants in your church or community to your conversation - put a human face on the issue.

 Video Clips:

• Invitation to Conversations," Jennifer Riggs - ;Director, Refugee and Immigration Ministries
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• A Witness for Wholeness," Sharon Watkins - General Minister and President
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• The Whole Family of God," April Johnson - Minister of Reconciliation, Reconciliation Ministry
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• Join a Struggle for Dignity," David Vargas - President, Division of Overseas Ministries and Co-Executive, Global Ministries
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• Immigration Policies Impact our Sister Congregations," Rick Morse - Vice-President, New Church Ministries and Mission Initiatives
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• Called to Deep Levels of Engagement," La Marco Cable - Program Associate, Advocacy and Education, Global Ministries
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Disciples Leaders' Conversation:

• Report of Disciples Leaders' Immigration Conversation

Immigration Conversation Tools:

• Theological Reflections on Immigration
• Biblical Texts
• Worship Resources 
• Discussion Starter Tools (pages 10 - 18, see especially "Engaging Impasse on Immigration" on page 18)
• Information Regarding Undocumented Persons
• Immigration Reform Legislative Update
• Rapid Response Action Alerts on Immigration Reform 
• Historical Information

General Conversation Tools:

• "Talking Together as Christians about Tough Social Issues"
• Peer Circles (see especially “Basic Guidelines for Calling a Circle”)

Special Thanks to Communications Ministries and the Northern California-Nevada Region
for their funding of the videos for these conversations!