World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day Advocacy Toolkit
In December 2000, the United Nations General Assembly established that “Refugee Day” would be celebrated each year on June 20th, and encourage local communities to select time and ways near this date to honor the strengths and contributions of refugees in their areas. You’re invited to do the same! Contact our Refugee & Immigration Ministries office for ideas.
Especially, consider supporting refugees with the power of your advocacy voice. Learn through the 2017 “World Refugee Day Advocacy Toolkit” about how you can especially help support Syrian refugees, persecuted religious minorities, and children fleeing violence in Central America this year.
World Refugee Day is June 20th
Publicize World Refugee Day through this Disciples flyer, and then look here for additional help in planning and preparing for a local World Refugee Day event and legislative visits.
Recent Posts
RIM 8-Part Lent Devotional
March 5, 2019Rim announces an 8-part devotional series for Lent. You may find it here. Topics include: Ash Wednesday–Walls Built First in Our Hearts Week 1 Lent—Walls…
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Barriers, Beds, a Bill & the Border: Understanding Potential Impacts
February 18, 2019Avoiding a shutdown, Congress passed a funding bill late this week that included remaining FY 2019 appropriations. Among the seven areas funded was the Department…
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Urge Congress to Protect Refugees & Save the Resettlement Program
February 18, 2019January 27, marked the second anniversary of the Muslim Ban. During this time, we’ve seen firsthand the painful human impacts of negative administrative changes and…
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Faith Leaders on the Morality of a Border Wall
February 18, 2019The Disciples General Minister & President, Global Ministries, and Refugee & Immigration Ministries leaders join in this Statement of Faith Leaders on the Morality of…
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Christian Leaders Welcome Muslim-American Women to Congress
January 28, 2019The Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, Director of Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries, was among a delegation of Christian leaders who delivered a welcome message to…
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Raise Your Faith Voice
January 23, 2019Raise Your Faith Voice on Senate Immigration Bill & Gov’t Shutdown! Call Before Thurs. Vote! Proposed Senate Immigration Bill–Evaluate the Risks & Join a Faith Call…
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Protect Liberians with DED
January 23, 2019Please Sign On NOW as Faith Leaders to Protect Liberians with DED!! Last weekend, Liberians from our Disciples Whosoever Will Christian Church in Maryland inspired…
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Posadas National Week of Action
December 14, 2018Please Join the Week of Action Around the Country In These Ways!: Go HERE to learn about 60+ faith and community actions happening this week…
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Letter to Congress on Anti-Immigrant Tactics
December 5, 2018800 Clergy Sign Letter to Congress Rebuking Trump’s Anti-Immigrant Tactics Letter recommends three congressional actions to end demonizing politics and funding policies that incite violence…
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Asylum & Appropriations Alert
December 2, 2018Asylum and Appropriations Alert Dec218FINAL2 Tell Congress to Protect Families & Stop Fueling Excessive Detention, Deportation, and Border Militarization: National Faith Call-in Week Dec. 3-7 Images…
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Remember the Farmworkers this Thanksgiving
November 21, 2018Who Grows Food for our Feasts? and The Cries of the Harvesters. Check out these resources for Thanksgiving. Who Grows Food for our Feasts? provides education…
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Advent & Epiphany Immigration & Refugee Themed 8 Part Devotions
November 17, 2018Please see and share here our 2018 Advent and Epiphany Devotions: Advent 2018 IIC Devotions . This year, we invite you to join in a spiritual…
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Faith Leaders Support for Asylum Seekers
October 30, 2018Learn more about Asylum Seekers, and How You Can Help by going here: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/missions-advocacy/refugee-immigration-ministries/immigrants/ Rev. Terri Hord Owens joined other national faith leaders this morning…
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State by State Fact Sheets About Immigrant Communities
October 23, 2018Want to learn more about immigrants in your own state? Go here for state by state Fact Sheets from the American Immigration Council!
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Video Clips
October 19, 2018Now available is a list of selected video clips related to multiple immigration and refugee topics. Go here to view.
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Refugee Alert! Call Now to Support Refugee Resettlement!
October 16, 2018This month, the administration named a refugee resettlement goal that is the historically lowest number ever (only 30,000)–despite the highest number of global refugees than…
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Karen Evans, First Christian Church, Des Moines, IA #Pray4Refugees
September 27, 2018“My name is Karen Evans. I’ve had the opportunity to work for the last four years in a volunteer ESL program, and work with the…
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Elder Mike Simonson, Downtown Disciples Church, Des Moines, IA #Pray4Refugees
September 27, 2018“I’m Mike Simonson, with Downtown Disciples in Des Moines, and I’m also one of the chairs of the Missions Committee for the Disciples General Assembly…
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Rev. Amy Spangler-Dunning, Des Moines, IA #Pray4Refugees
September 27, 2018“My name is Amy Spangler-Dunning. I am a clergy person in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), in the Upper Northwest. I am also a…
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Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez, Cleveland, OH #Pray4Refugees
September 26, 2018“Hi, I’m Chrissy Stonebraker-Martinez, Co-Director, Inter-Religious Task Force on Central America & Colombia in Cleveland, Ohio. I just want you all to know we have…
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Rev. Suzanne Stout, Des Moines, IA #Pray4Refugees
September 26, 2018“I am Suzanne Stout, the Pastor of First Christian Church in Des Moines, IA….I have had the opportunity of working with refugees both in Florida…
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Rev. Debbie Griffin, Des Moines, IA #Pray4Refugees
September 26, 2018“It’s my joy and blessing to be the pastor of Downtown Disciples in Des Moines, Iowa. I wanted to tell you about two refugees I…
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Upper Midwest #Pray4Refugees
September 26, 2018“Sometimes we experience things in our lives that you don’t realize the significance of until much later. I had the privilege of presiding at the…
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Dallas Texas in the Southwest #Pray4Refugees
September 19, 2018“Dallas is a city that is reliant on refugees and immigrants, because they define, assist, participate in, and grow our culture. I can’t imagine a…
Read more >Faith Leaders Oppose Historically Low Resettlement Goal for FY19; Urge Administrations to Resettle 75,000
September 19, 2018Responding to Secretary Pompeo’s recent press conference that set refugee admissions goal at 30,000 during the worst refugee crisis in human history, members of the…
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AZ Region #Pray4Refugees
September 18, 2018“As a faith leader, I believe we have a moral obligation to welcome the stranger in our midst. That is why for the past several…
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VA Region #Pray4Refugees
September 17, 2018“The topic of refugee resettlement is near and dear to my heart. Our country is a land of opportunity, and I hope a land of…
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Northeastern Region #Pray4Refugees
September 14, 2018Our Disciples Pastor of Multilingual & Cross-Sectional Worship at Park Avenue Christian Church in NY reminds that, “Refugees are very close to the heart and…
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Christian Denominations Join Forces to Call on the White House to #Welcome75k Refugees
September 13, 2018Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries sponsors and speaks at a White House Press Conference on September 12 to urge that 75,000 refugees be resettled in…
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SW #Pray4Refugees
September 13, 2018“Today, I light a candle of prayer for refugees, seeking protection from religious, political, and any form of persecution. Since 1985, our region has been…
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Ill./Wis. #Pray4Refugees
September 12, 2018“Refugees in this world need our help, desperately. They don’t choose to lose their homes, lifestyle, culture. They leave…because of forces outside of their control….
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Oregon/SW Idaho #Pray4Refugees
September 11, 2018Rev. Doug Wirt, Co-Regional Minister in the Oregon/Southwest Idaho Region, joins Rev. Terri to #Pray4Refugees and urge the US to resettle at least 75,000 refugees…
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NE Region Joins #Pray4Refugees
September 10, 2018Rev. Stephanie Kendell, who serves in the NE Region as Exec. Minister of Park Avenue Christian Church in New York City, joins Rev. Terri to…
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Join Rev. Terri to #Pray4Refugees
September 10, 2018URGE YOUR LEADERS TO RESETTLE AT LEAST 75,000 REFUGEES IN FY2019! Please join our Disciples General Minister & President, Rev. Terri Hord Owens, as…
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2020 Census Counts
July 12, 2018If you oppose a Citizenship Question being added to the US Census, you may make your comment heard by going here ON OR BEFORE AUGUST 7TH!…
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Families Belong Together
July 6, 2018Our Disciples RIM Director helped lead prayers at the Sojourners’ Keep Families Together prayer vigil at the U.S. Capitol on June 30, saying, “God, in…
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Saguaro Christian Church Holds Daily Prayer Vigil for Families
July 3, 2018Saguaro Christian Church in Tucson, AZ. recently began holding daily prayer vigils in support of separated children and families. See and join them in prayer…
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All Rights for All, Without Borders
June 29, 2018RIM Director, Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley-Rea, shares reasons faith partners are against family separation and detention, during The National Press Club launch on June 25…
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Join THIS Saturday’s National Day of Action
June 28, 2018June 30th will be a National Day of Action to End Family Separation & Detention with events at the White House and 650 Locations Around…
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Children, Clergy protest ICE in Capitol with blankets and cages
June 22, 2018Please see here a video of Disciples—including RIM Director, Capitol Area Regional Minister, and other Disciples clergy—assisting children, adults, and faith leaders in yesterday’s action…
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Family Separations: A Word to the Church
June 20, 2018You are invited to read the “Family Separations: A Word to the Church” and consider signing on in support. We also strongly encourage Disciples to…
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Faith and Human Rights Partners in the “Value Our Families” Coalition Raise Concerns About Anti-Immigrant Bills
June 13, 2018Washington, D.C., June 13, 2018 — Speaker Paul Ryan has promised his caucus they will vote on at least two anti-immigrant bills next week, as…
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Faith Leaders Statement on Family Separations
June 7, 2018The Rev. Teresa Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) along with other faith leaders released a statement today…
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Five Ways to Help Migrant Dads on Father’s Day
June 7, 2018See here for ways you can learn about and help migrant dads who are in detention, are farmworkers, have DACA and TPS, hold H1B Visas,…
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National Day of Action for Children
May 31, 2018Friday, June 1, please join with faith and human rights partners around the country for a National Day of Action for Children to stop family…
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Festival Clergy Hit the Hill to Protect Children!
May 25, 2018Some 45 plus clergy participated in the Festival of Homiletics 2018, in Washington, D.C., on May 23. Organizers trained and organized the participation of conference…
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Disciples Respond to Anti-Immigrant Comments from President and White House Chief of Staff
May 23, 2018In recent days, deeply offensive rhetoric has again been issued against immigrant communities by President Trump and White House Chief of Staff John Kelly. Disciples…
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Family Belongs Together
May 21, 2018RIM Director joins with faith partners in Baltimore to assist Honduran woman in avoiding detention. Marta Rodriguez walked out the front door of the Baltimore…
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Disciples GMP on a National Mother’s Day Press Call
May 9, 2018The Rev. Terri Hord Owens, General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada, spoke on a…
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GMP Responds to Session’s Comments at Border
May 8, 2018“The comments by Attorney General Sessions at the border yesterday, which conflated the actions of Central American parents–who are openly presenting themselves to seek safety…
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Month of Ramadan
May 7, 2018Month of Ramadan resource provides ways that congregations can link with Muslim communities in their areas to engage in Interfaith Iftars. Click here for devotion,…
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Pentecost People Called to be Advocates
May 7, 2018This Pentecost resource connects the giving of the Advocate spirit with immigrant stories and our calling to serve as an advocate to support families at…
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This Mother’s Day, Honor Immigrant Mothers
May 7, 2018More immigrant Moms than ever are now in detention & separated from their families. As we gratefully celebrate all MOTHERS, this year we pay special…
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Background Handout Resource on TPS
May 1, 2018Temporary Protected Status: A Faithful Response to Humanitarian Crises What is TPS (Temporary Protected Status)? Temporary Protected Status, or TPS, is a life-saving immigration program…
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Refugee Asks Update
May 1, 2018URGE CONGRESS: Ensure the U.S. Resettles at Least 45,000 Refugees in FY2018! Call your senators and representatives today! Host a #WhereRtheRefugees Public Witness Event Plan…
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More than 600 Interfaith Leaders and Organizations Fight Together for Honduran TPS Holders
April 30, 2018In a letter delivered to the administration on April 27, 2018, 122 faith-based organizations and 518 faith leaders from across traditions stand united in calling…
Read more >Stories from People Prohibited by Refugee Bans
April 26, 2018Read these stories of individuals and families from the various countries prohibited to enter the US under recent Muslim/Refugee Bans.
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Disciples Statement Against End of TPS for Nepalese
April 26, 2018“With timing that has painfully come the very day following the devastating earthquakes in Nepal three years ago, we stand as faith partners together with…
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Disciples Join Faith Partners in Refugee Foot Washing to Hold Administration Accountable for Record Low Refugee Arrivals
March 29, 2018Washington, D.C. – Faith leaders held a footwashing service in the shadow of the White House this afternoon.The biblical practice of footwashing is part of…
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Disciples of Christ Respond to Announced End of Deferred Enforced Departure (DED) for Liberians
March 28, 2018“I continue to be deeply disturbed by the random choices that this administration makes in removing TPS and other protected statuses. Last night’s decision to…
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Liberian “Deferred Enforced Departure” (DED) Resources
March 23, 2018The current designation of “Deferred Enforced Departure” (DED) that is currently protecting nearly 4,000 Liberians in the U.S. is set to expire on MARCH 31st…
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4 Urgent Ways to Support Refugees Now
March 20, 20181) REFUGEE ARRIVALS TO THE U.S. IN THIS FISCAL YEAR HAVE BEEN STAGGERINGLY LOW! Please help us circulate the below faith leader & faith-based organization…
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New RIM Resources
March 7, 2018Now Available! Disciples Black Immigrant and Refugee Toolkit! For a compilation of resources to help your congregation build awareness of and assist Black refugees and…
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Indianapolis Disciples of Christ Clergy Join with Other Faith Leaders in Vigil & Civil Disobedience in Support of Dreamers & Immigrant Families
March 6, 2018Today, seven Disciples affiliated clergy, Rev. Linda McCrae, Rev. Carolyn Higginbotham, Rev. Jim Higginbotham, Rev. Jon Barnes, Rev. Dawn Barnes, Rev. Sandra Gourdet, and Rev….
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Disciples GMP Urges a Solution for Dreamers Who Remain in Limbo
March 5, 2018On this day when the President proclaimed DACA protections would end unless a Congressional decision was reached, dreamers remain insecure in the absence of a…
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Ash Wednesday Service with Dreamers
February 14, 2018Faith Leaders Performed Ash Wednesday Service with Dreamers in Front of Senator McConnell’s and Schumer’s Office to Demand Passage of Dream Act Washington, D.C. (February…
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RIM Lenten Resources
February 12, 2018Nine Immigration Themed Resources for Lent Encouraging Faith Commitments in Solidarity with Refugees & Immigrants. Go to 2018 Lenten Devotions.
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Disciples & Interfaith Toolkit: Top 5 Ways to Take Action NOW in 2018
January 17, 2018On Jan. 8, 2018, DHS terminated TPS for El Salvador, effective Sept. 9, 2019. As communities of faith, we urge the administration to reinstate TPS…
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Week of Action – Jan. 27 to Feb. 3, 2018
January 17, 2018One Year of Muslim & Refugee Bans: Showing Up Against Discrimination. toolkit and resources
Read more >Clergy, Impacted Immigrants, Faith & Labor Leaders Demand that DHS Extends TPS for 200K Salvadoran Immigrants
January 5, 2018Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea, was among the participants on a press call January 4, to urge the Department of Homeland Security to extend Temporary Protected Status…
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Thank You for 2017 & Join Us to Act for Refugees and Immigrants in 2018!
January 2, 2018Thank you for your partnership in acting to support refugees and immigrants in 2017–and join us in ongoing actions for justice in 2018!! Sign up…
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Epiphany Devotions for Jan. 4-6
January 2, 2018Join in a 3-part Epiphany devotional series and actions in support of Temporary Protected Status populations for Jan. 4-6.
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Advent Devotions
December 4, 2017“Welcome to the Manger” is the theme for the 2017 Advent Devotions. Available for download on the Refugee & Immigration website. Week one: Angels Week…
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Who Grows Food for our Feasts?
November 15, 2017These resources provide education and links that help families and congregations build awareness of our dependence upon the gifts and energies of farmworkers; especially as…
Read more >Dreamers Welcome At the Table
November 13, 2017As we prepare soon to gather around tables again and again during the holiday season, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries invites your congregation and members…
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Haitian TPS Alert
November 10, 2017Dear Disciples Friend, Right now, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is considering whether or not to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haitians in…
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Christian Leaders Arrested for Peaceful Capitol Hill Protest in Support of Dream Act
November 3, 2017Disciples are among Christian leaders and activists who held hands and sang in an unlawful demonstration inside of the Russell Senate office building in Washington,…
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Praying with Dreamers Week #Faith4Dream Oct. 29 – Nov. 4
October 23, 2017Prepare now to plan Dream Sabbath Events! Check out these resources for ways you can participate.
Read more >Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea Among DC-Area Clergy to Hold White House Rally to Save TPS
October 17, 2017WASHINGTON, DC — Today, October 17th at 11 a.m., local interfaith clergy will host a rally to call on the Trump administration to preserve Temporary…
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Reflections from Conference on Migration, Borders & Reception
October 10, 2017The Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea traveled to Italy to participate in “Living and Witnessing the Border.” An International Conference on Migration, Borders and Reception, September 29…
Read more >Join October 2nd Immigration & Refugee Webinar and participate in Dream Sabbath
September 29, 2017Join the Interfaith Immigration Coalition for this webinar to learn how communities of faith can participate in “Dream Sabbath” events that lift up the stories,…
Read more >RIM Wrap: Sept. 28 Refugee Program
September 28, 2017Please Help Stop the Dismantling of the U.S. Refugee Resettlement Program and Share Your Heart to Welcome Refugees A Refugee Admissions Goal of 45,000 Is…
Read more >Sept. 27 CWS Press Release on Refugee Resettlement Program
September 28, 2017CONGRESSWOMAN SCHAKOWSKY, FAITH LEADERS, AND REFUGEES URGE CONGRESS TO STOP TRUMP FROM SHUTTING THE DOOR ON REFUGEES On morning of the Trump administration’s consultation with…
Read more >Sharon Stanley-Rea on DACA Decision
September 6, 2017Hear from Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rea in an interview with Sojourners on September 5, decision about DACA.
Read more >General Minister and President offers thoughts about DACA
September 6, 2017On Tuesday, Sept. 5, the U.S. administration announced an end to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program that has protected children brought to…
Read more >Urgent: DACA & TPS Recipients at Great Risk: Ways Disciples Can Help!
August 29, 2017Please sign the faith letter & call your leaders today & tomorrow to urge DACA not to be ended, join our DACA & TPS Emergency…
Read more >“Immigrant Welcoming” Resolution Passes at General Assembly
July 21, 2017On Monday, July 10th, Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries’ Director joined with Immigration Legal Counsel, the National Benevolent Association, the Central Pastoral Office office of…
Read more >Webinars on July 10th & 13th
July 6, 2017Join the webinar on July 10th and 13th to help immigrants and learn about sanctuary. July 10 Interfaith Immigration Coalition Webinar “5 Ways We Can…
Read more >General Assembly Alerts
July 6, 2017Go here for Summer Recess Toolkit and Alerts for Refugees, Immigrants, Farmworkers, and TPS Recipients. Summer Action Grassroots Toolkit Disciples: Call to Support Refugees Now!…
Read more >Families Rally in Front of White House to Protest Trump Administration’s Aggressive Tactics to Deport Loved Ones to Cambodia
June 28, 2017RIM’s Director (a board member with Southeast Asian Resource Action Center) was grateful to join this a.m. in speaking at Press Conference outside the White…
Read more >Faith Leaders Stand Against Scotus Ruling on Refugee and Muslim Ban Executive Order
June 27, 2017FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 26, 2017 CONTACT: media@cwsglobal.org | 202.733.5151 FAITH LEADERS STAND AGAINST SCOTUS RULING ON REFUGEE AND MUSLIM BAN EXECUTIVE ORDER Call on…
Read more >Disciples Statement in Response to Supreme Court Ruling re: Refugee and Muslim Bans
June 27, 2017Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins, General Minister and President, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) and Rev. Dr. Ronald Degges, President, Disciples Home Missions “Disciples are a…
Read more >From Student Visa to Green Card
June 14, 2017From Student Visa to Green Card is now scheduled for Monday, July 10 at 5:00 p.m.— Calling all seminary students! Please join Disciples Immigration Legal…
Read more >CWS Statement on 9th Circuit Court of Appeals Ruling Against President Trump’s Rewritten Refugee Ban
June 12, 2017“The courts have spoken yet again in favor of justice and humanity. As CWS has maintained since January, President Trump’s ill-advised travel ban should never…
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4th Circuit Federal Appeals Court Upholds Block on Trump’s Travel Ban
May 25, 2017The Disciples RIM Staff celebrates the 4th Circuit Appeals Court ruling in Richmond, Va. on May 25 that upheld a lower court ruling which had…
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#ToImmigrantsWithLove
May 25, 2017Join the new #ToImmigrantsWithLove letter writing campaign, sponsored by Define American and I Am An Immigrant. Through it, you can write an electronic letter that…
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New! Refugees Welcome Summer Legislator Postcard!!
May 25, 2017Please deliver to, scan and email, or mail your national, state, and local legislators these postcards that indicate your support for refugees, and share how…
Read more >More Than 400 Faith Leaders & Organizations Nationwide Urge Support for Haitians at Risk for Deportation
May 2, 2017Call on DHS Secretary Kelly to extend Temporary Protected Status for Haiti for another 18 months WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 2, 2017) — CWS and Catholic…
Read more >Stop DHS From Deporting Somalis
April 26, 2017The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently apprehended, detained and deported Somali individuals back to their home country. These Somalis are asylum seekers, asylees,…
Read more >Disciples and United Church of Christ Holy Season Statement on Violence in the Middle East and Refugees
April 18, 2017In the beginning of Holy Week, marking the entry of Jesus to Jerusalem, his suffering and his death, we watch with sadness and grief the…
Read more >Disciples Rally 4 Family Justice
April 17, 2017Join us in unity at the start of General Assembly in Indianapolis on Saturday, July 8, 2017, from 3 to 5 p.m., for a Disciples…
Read more >Statement on Violence in the Middle East and Refugees
April 17, 2017Disciples and United Church of Christ Holy Season Statement on Violence in the Middle East and Refugees In the beginning of Holy Week, marking the…
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