REFUGEE AND IMMIGRATION MINISTRIES REPORT to Week of Compassion, October, 2013 From Rev. Dr. Sharon Stanley, Refugee & Immigration Ministries (RIM) Director Refugee Arrivals Report thru Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Case and Individual Numbers of Arrivals by Month for FY Oct. 2012-Sept. 2013 534 Total Cases, 1,141 Total Arrivals. 140 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 Case #s People # Oct. '12 Nov. '12 Dec. '12 Jan. '13 Feb. '13 Mar. '13 Apr. '13 250 200 150 100 50 0 AZ CA CO CT FL GA IL IN KY MI MN NC NE NH NY OH OR PA TN TX VA Regions Resettled 400 300 200 100 0 Nationality WoC Emergency Assistance Provided Provided emergency assistance as needed for families with intensive health needs in Chicago, Atlanta, Portland, and Minnesota, through WoC s Compassion in Action Fund. Support funds covered emergency unmet needs for families whose members were suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, debilitating mental illnesses which postponed their ability to work, and serious illnesses and surgeries of family leaders and children.
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Outreach re: Refugee Resettlement As our new Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Refugee & Immigration Ministries (RIM) Director, following a two year absence of a RIM Director, and with a complete changeover and reduction of support staff, I have focused in these initial months to re-invigorate--and in many cases to build--a network of support and enthusiasm for Refugee & Immigration Ministries. In this process, I: Worked in partnership with RIM staff to fully re-design the RIM website at www.discipleshomemissions.org/refugee-immigration-ministries/, and to design volunteer communication forms. Worked in partnership with DHM and GMP staff to design and edit a 5 minute Refugee & Immigration Ministries video for congregational and regional use. Supported intern development of a RIM Facebook page. Welcomed and presented a workshop for 35 Ohio Disciples youth/young adults to provide immigration reform information and Disciples RIM background for their Regional Youth Mission Trip in February. Spoke to 29 Disciples and UCC Clergy in Eastern Virginia re: Refugee Resettlement and immigrant linkage opportunities. Presented refugee and immigrant needs and education multiple audiences, including: Kendal Community Residents, a Fall Women s Gathering of 38 churches, the DC Area Disciples Women Summer Luncheon, the Southwest Conference Hispanic Convencion, Emmanuel Christian Church in Los Fresnos, Texas, Shepherd Park Christian Church and 12 th Street Christian Church in Washington, DC, and the Bethany Beach Senior Conference. Provided a Sunday School Workshop for General Assembly in Orlando in partnership with Tana Liu-Beers, RIM Legal Counsel staff. Presented a keynote at the Hispanic Evening Celebration at General Assembly in Orlando. Met with Regional Ministers at General Assembly in Orlando to discuss refugee & immigrant needs. Presented to NAPAD Gathering at General Assembly in Orlando regarding refugee & immigrant concerns and resources. Participated in meetings with DJAN and Disciples Center for Public Witness as requested to build partnerships between the RIM office from DHM and DCPW and the Christian Church Capitol Area Region. Participated in Ecumenical Advocacy Days events in Washington, DC in early April. Preached at: National City Christian Church, Lake Prince Woods Retirement Community, Disciples Women of National Capitol Region, Westside Christian Church, Hagerstown, Md. Christian Church, Bakersfield, CA., Bethany Beach Seniors Conference. Conducted Site Visits with the CWS office in Lancaster, Pennsylvania; the CWS office in Indianapolis, IN., and the CWS offices in Richmond, VA., Harrisonburg, VA., and Newport News, VA. Attended the Tri-Agency Refugee Resettlement Spring Conference in Minneapolis to meet all CWS Affiliate office staff. Provided planning and on site leadership with 42 Montagnard refugees, in a Montagnard Advocacy Day, which included legislative educational meetings with their senators, a Human Rights March from the Capitol to the White House, and a demonstration for religious freedom for their communities still remaining in Vietnam. Supervised a seminary intern from Wesley Theological Seminary in our office during the summer months.
Plan in October a 1 week California tour to speak at the Pacific Southwest Regional Pastor s Meeting, attend the Pacific Southwest Regional Gathering, preach at Bakersfield First Christian Church, visit the Selma First Christian Church, and meet regarding refuge concerns with seven Sacramento Christian churches and the Sacramento CWS office. I will also visit additional Central Valley churches as staff/members are available. Plan in November to continue follow up contacts with Richmond, Harrisonburg, and Hampton Roads area churches. Plan in December to visit with Atlanta area churches and CWS office, and with North Carolina CWS offices and churches. Plan a Winter 2013 follow up educational event with Montagnard leaders to return to DC for meetings with religious freedom organization leaders, and to provide training in Conflict Resolution. National Farm Worker Ministry Support & Farm Worker Actions Engaged NFWM Youth and Young Adult (YAYA) representatives to display at GA, and to lead local action for farm worker wages. Attended January and June Board Meetings as member, offering prayer leadership, immigration reform reports, and committee support during staff transition. Supported NFWM staff and farm workers in their April Action for Immigration Justice in Washington, D.C., providing housing, transportation, and food assistance for 43 participants. Linked New NFWM Director with Interfaith Immigration Coalition partners through Global Summit and Press Conference/legislation actions participation. Helped develop and secure signature of GMP on Faith Leaders Letter Against Ag Guestworker Act Secured educational display of Modern Day Slavery Museum truck from Coalition of Immokole Workers (CIW) for General Assembly Exhibit Hall. NFWM Youth and Young Adult (YAYA) engagement with GA, with farmworker display Board Member, prayer leadership, committee support during staff transition Linked new NFWM Director with Interfaith Immigration Coalition partners through Global Summit participation and follow up webinar. Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries Support
Participated in September Board Meeting in Los Fresnos, Texas. Offered leadership as WoC representative, Disciples Home Missions representative, encourager from RIM, and member of Policy Development, Funds Development, and newsletter support teams. Provided guidance and support in ministry requests to WoC. Hosted SWGSM Director in DC and assisted with his advocacy and representation of communities he serves at the Summit on Immigration Reform, October 7-8 in Washington, D.C. Helped envision and develop a Celebration of the Light Epiphany themed highlight of SWGSM in our Disciples churches, which Board hopes may become an annual event. Global Summit for Immigration Reform Leadership Assisted with hosting and shepherding of GMAP Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins at Summit. Supported and provided housing and partnership development with Disciples Reconciliation Ministries Director, Rev. April Johnson. Recruited, hosted, provided conference support for 20+ Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) leaders from more than 13 states. Provided ecumenical planning support, leader recruitment, and execution assistance of Faith Leader Press Conference, media training, denominational strategy session, state strategy sessions, and other conference and legislative logistics. Assisted with on site hosting of conference at National City Christian Church. Leadership and Organizing with Multiple Immigration Support Campaigns (see also attached reports re: ecumenical faith actions with daily partners in the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, based in the Washington, DC area.)
Served as Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) denominational leadership to recruit, plan, host, and educate Disciples and additional area leaders at two ecumenical Faith Fly In events, including one that engaged 13 DOC leaders from Georgia, Illinois, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Virginia on April 9-10, and a second that hosted 8 DOC leaders from Indiana, Utah, Texas, Montana, and Ca. on June 17-18. Designed and wrote Disciples Rapid Response alerts nearly monthly regarding immigration issues and newest developments and needs, securing broader denominational input and sign ons as desired. Assisted in preparation of Journey to the Table Thanksgiving Campaign, and Journey to the Light Fall Campaign through Christmas to Epiphany. Raised Concerns Against So-Called SAFE Act, and worked with Ron Degges to provide Disciples Days of Action letter of response to SAFE Act, shared with Congress members and with denominational network. Promoted Actions for Dignity and Respect on October 5-8 around country. Provided core planning team leadership for ecumenical Fast Action for Immigration Reform 40 days of fasting; engaging Disciples and farm worker advocate participation, and participating personally in prayer and fasting. Supported Neighbor to Neighbor Congressional Visits efforts to help church members educate their representatives in home districts regarding their views and values. Provided prayer leadership among partners at multiple Family Unity and Anti-Deportation Events held in the DC area throughout the Spring and Summer. Spoke in support of Family Unity and expressed faith values against unjust deportations at Family Unity Support Press Conference with PICO in September. Participated in Jericho Prayer Walk with Ecumenical Partners at Senate Buildings in June, and in Rally to support immigration form ahead of Senate decisions in June. Supported and hosted DREAMers in DC who travelled from Ohio for DREAMer Graduation. Provided Prayer Leadership at the National Day Laborers Organization Break the Fast events with their Not 1 More Deportations campaign. Provided Prayer Leadership at Mothers Day Against Unjust Deportations Event at White House in May. Participated in Washington, D.C. Civil Disobedience at Immigrant Rally for Dignity and Respect, in partnership with 8 Congress members, 6 clergy, and 196 community and labor advocates.