[amc] FW: Suggestions for Solidarity with Immigrants on May 1

From: "garland robertson" <pastor@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: "Austin Mennonite Church" <amc@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
Date: Wed, 26 Apr 2006 10:26:21 -0500
Members and Friends of Austin Mennonite Church

 

I am sending the information below for your awareness.

May it go well with you.  Sincerely,

Garland Robertson

 

...always hold firmly to the thought that each one of us can do something to
bring some portion of misery to an end

-----Original Message-----
From: John Stoesz [mailto:JStoesz@xxxxxxx] 
Sent: Tuesday, April 25, 2006 3:07 PM
To: centralstates@xxxxxxx
Subject: Suggestions for Solidarity with Immigrants on May 1

 


Welcome the Stranger . . . 

To:  Leaders of Congregations in MCC Central States 

Many of MCC's constituent churches have asked that we fellow Anabaptists
join them in observing May 1 activities to speak out for just immigration
policy.  I quote the following from a letter by Rev. Alberto Parchmont,
Co-Pastor of Iglesia Menonita Casa del Alfarero in Pasadena, TX and MCC
Hurricane Response Local Worker: 

 "We have a lot of undocumented people in the church.  That is one of the
concerns we have as pastors, and it's very difficult, because they're people
who have been living here a long time.  They are afraid to take part in
(recent) demonstrations, so the citizens and residents from our church are
the ones who have been participating.  On May 1, we are going to fast and
pray, and we will not buy anything.  These are things that everyone can do.
The best thing to do is to pray and fast, and the church is in agreement
with that."  Translated by Karen Spicher, MCC Central States. 

Following are some suggestions I pass on for solidarity with immigrants: 

* Fast for all or a part of the day on May 1, and pray for just immigration
reform as the US Senate continues to debate its response to House bill HR
4437, which criminalizes immigrants and their supporters. 

* Write to your legislators, especially your US Senators, asking them to
support immigration policy that reunites separated families, ends
militarization of the US/Mexico border, and creates a path to residency for
undocumented immigrants.  Visit the MCC Letters on the Line campaign,
(www.mcc.org/lettersontheline) for more information. 

* Join a peaceful protest, rally or vigil in or near your community to show
your support for immigrants.  Visit the New American Opportunity Campaign,
www.cirnow.org, for a list of events. 

The MCC Central States office in Kansas will be closed May 1 in support of
requests from our MCC Workers engaged with immigrants, as well as in support
of many of our churches who minister to immigrant families.  Our Southern
Tier and Northern Tier offices will be closed as well.  I have asked our
staff not to buy anything that day.   

Also on May 1, the National Immigrant Solidarity Network has planned an
event called the "Great American Boycott."  Our MCC response is not
necessarily an endorsement of all the day's organizers. 

I want to give a special thank you to Nancy Rivera and Karen Spicher of the
MCC Central States Southern Tier office, who have given much time to
discussing this issue with other MCC Workers with immigrants as well as with
people from several of the Mennonite churches who relate to immigrants.  I
also thank Bethany Spicher of the MCC Washington office, who has developed
MCC's Letters on the Line campaign. 

The immigration debate can seem so complex - but I am struck that the words
of Jesus are simple - "welcome the stranger." 

For God's grace, justice and peace, 

John Stoesz 
Executive Director 
MCC Central States
[amc] FW: Suggestions for Solidarity with Immigrants on May 1

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