Immigration Teleconference for Clergy

Want to engage with your congregation on the issue of immigration? Wondering how to address the matter biblically and pastorally? Join “Faithful Perspectives: A Conversation on Immigration and Your Congregation,” a national conference call hosted by Sojourners and Christians for Comprehensive Immigration Reform, on Thursday, June 24, at 1 p.m. EDT. Featured speakers will include Rev. Jim Wallis, Rev. Gabriel Salguero (Lamb's Church of the Nazarene, New York), Rev. Rich Nathan (Vineyard Church of Columbus, Ohio) and Angela Kelley (Center for American Progress).

+Sign Up for the Call Here

Recent legislation in Arizona and protests around the country have thrust immigrants and border security into the spotlight and our national psyche. But the conversation is often filled with fear-based misinformation. As faith leaders, we have the responsibility to educate our members about this controversial issue – from a theological foundation.

We know it’s not an easy job to be both a pastor and a prophet for biblical social justice. Sometimes it can feel like these are conflicting roles! However, there are numerous biblical and contemporary examples of leaders who are doing both on the issue of immigration.

Join Sojourners for a national teleconference on June 24 to hear from local pastors and faith activists who have experience leading congregations and organizations on this controversial topic – the call is free and open to all faith leaders.

“Faithful Perspectives: A Conversation on Immigration and Your Congregation”
National Teleconference for Clergy and Faith Leaders
Thursday, June 24
1 to 2 p.m. EDT

RSVP today to receive the call-in number.

Featured speakers include Rev. Jim Wallis, Rev. Gabriel Salguero of the Latino Leadership Circle, Rev. Rich Nathan of Vineyard Church of Columbus, and Angela Kelley of the Center for American Progress.

Virtually every major denomination and communion has officially announced its support for comprehensive immigration reform. However, many congregation members are more likely to relate to the phrase “they broke the law” than to “welcome the stranger” as a guiding principle for understanding this complex issue.

On this teleconference, we’ll explore how to:

- Share the biblical foundation for a humane immigration system from the pulpit;

- Reach out to immigrant families in your congregation and community;

- Understand what is happening with national and state legislative efforts; and

- Navigate conflict that may arise among your members on this controversial topic.

We understand that on this issue many church members are taking their cues from national talk radio and news programs, not from scripture and church teaching. This call is ideal for clergy and lay leaders who want informed theological perspective on immigration and are interested in how to lead on the issue in a church setting. We’ll also have time for participant Q&A.

Please register today, and then share this invitation with other friends and colleagues who would benefit from learning more about immigration and how it impacts our congregations and members. We look forward to speaking with you on the call.

**This post was submitted by Rev. Gabriel Salguero, Lamb's Church of the Nazerene Lead Pastor and member of the Latino Leadership Circle, an organizational partner of NYFJ.

Live from New York: It’s the New Conversation!

by Onleilove Alston first published on 1-8-2010 on God's Politics

Last night at the historic Riverside Church, Jim Wallis, hosted by NY Faith & Justice, discussed his new book Rediscovering Values: On Wall Street, Main Street, and Your Street — A Moral Compass for the New Economy. The night opened with powerful singer Joy Ike, spoken word by Christopher Mullen, and introductions by Lisa Sharon Harper (Executive Director of NY Faith & Justice) and Rev. Gabriel Salguero.

The room was full of over 400 diverse New Yorkers who were eager to hear this alternative economic crisis conversation. Rev. Wallis stated in his keynote address:

"We have been asking the wrong question, which is when will the crisis end — not how the crisis will end. I think the country is ready for a new conversation on values. Let’s start the conversation at all levels: Wall Street, Main Street, and your street. If we go back to normal — to business as usual — all the suffering of places like my hometown, Detroit, and New York will have been in vain."

Rev. Wallis compared Jon Stewart’s landmark interview with Mad Money host Jim Cramer to Jesus overturning the money tables. One of the most thought provoking comments of the night was when Rev. Wallis stated, “Let’s stop trying to keep up with the Joneses and make sure the Joneses are alright.”

As a native New Yorker I am all too familiar with how being the center of economic power causes us to devalue our time. I think many New Yorkers would benefit from considering the fact that, as stated by Rev. Wallis, “a calendar is a moral document.” What does it mean for us to consider calendar keeping as a spiritual practice? There is a connection between an unregulated economy and unregulated calendar — the results are hurt individuals, families, communities, and churches.

A lively panel responded to Rev. Wallis’s book. The panel was moderated by Lisa Sharon Harper and included the following figures: Dr. Obery Hendricks Jr., theologian and author of The Politics of Jesus; Patrick Purcell Jr., Asst. to the President of UFCW Local 1500; Tom Rodman, Director/Client Adviser at Deutsche Bank; and Maya Wiley, Executive Director at the Center for Social Action. Dr. Hendricks spoke of the lack of regulatory protection and the disbanding of this protection by those who worship the market. Mr Purchell spoke to the decline of the labor movement as one of the causes of the crisis and the 30 years of anti-labor sentiment in our country. Ms. Wiley spoke to the complexity of systems that contributed to the crisis such as the sub-prime market, which is a new development. This was not only a class issue but a race issue. Black families making over $350,000 a year were more likely to receive a sub-prime mortgage. Black and Latino families make about 60 cents of the white dollar. Consider the sobering statistic that 25% of Black and Latino men between the ages of 18 and 25 are unemployed. Patrick Purcell, Jr. stated, “it’s not about the ideological arguments between capitalism and communism, but about balance.”

Questions from the audience brought up issues such as distributive justice, which led to a brief discussion that touched on social exclusion and the emerging green economy, what sector of society is responsible for resetting the moral compass of our country, and what type of mobilization can jump-start change.

Overall this was an engaging and thought-provoking night of dialogue and collaboration. This event was co-sponsored by the following groups: Coalition of Educational Justice, Judson Memorial Church, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies, Interfaith Center of New York, Latino Leadership Circle, Marble Collegiate Church, Metro Hope Church, New York Theological Seminary, NY Divinity School, Presbytery of New York City, The Harlem House, Radical Living, Rainbow Coalition-1000 Churches Initiative, Trinity Grace Church, Uth Turn, Voterbook Manhattan, and World Vision.

Questions to consider:

1. What is good work from a biblical point of view?
2. What would jubilee economics look like in our society?
3. Is there a need for distributive justice? Does the Bible advocate for this type of justice?

Resource: To find out about banking alternatives visit www.moveyourmoney.info