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Contents:
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MCC
Great Lakes Peace and Justice Newsletter
October,
03
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Centering thought
Hello Friends,
I’ve been sending you newsletters full of information on many different
subjects with and without opportunities for action. This month I’m
simplifying and shortening the newsletter. With this I am also providing
a list of resources for your congregation, Sunday School class or small
group. There are many aspects to justice and peace so if you have interest
in focusing on the journey as a peacemaker, consider talking with me and
together we can decide what resources may fit the interest and energy
of you group. Most resources listed are available from the MCC Great Lakes
office in Goshen, IN. Lois Hess Nafziger
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Immigration
Unless we are Native American we have immigrants in our family genealogy.
In the books of the Pentateuch and the prophets there are words directing
God’s people to care for the resident alien, to protect them from
violence, to pay them a living wage, and make sure they have access to
justice. Jesus lived an example of caring for all people. Many people
from many different lands have and are coming to this land of United States.
How are we as followers of Jesus Christ welcoming these people into our
communities? From the MCC Peace and Justice office on Immigration come
these suggested action steps:
– Educate yourself. Become informed about issues affecting immigrants
by reading newspapers and magazines.
– Join a group such as a national immigration rights organization.
– Practice hospitality. Help create a climate of hospitality for
immigrants in your community by:
–Speaking out against nativism and the xenophobic scape-goating
of immigrants.
–Putting a human face on the newcomers in your community (e.g.,
help them share their stories,
accomplishments and contributions with your church, local newspaper,
club., etc.).
–Offering your church facilities and volunteers to local organizations
for English classes, ethnic
community celebrations, or outreach programs identified as a need in
your community.
– Community education. Organize discussion groups and forums on
immigration issues in your church.
– Advocate. Become an advocate for fair and humane policies for
immigrants and asylum seekers on the local, state, and national levels
by:
–Keeping abreast of immigration legislation through MCC’S
Washington office or MCC Immigration
office in Akron.
–Contacting your local state and national elected officials telling
them of your concern that immigrants are
treated fairly, with dignity and respect.
–Inviting elected officials to your church during ethnic celebrations.
–Taking refugees or asylum seekers to your representative’s
office to tell their story.
–Joining national campaigns on specific immigration issues publicized
by one of MCC’s offices or other
immigrant rights organizations.
– Dig deeper. Explore root causes why people immigrate by organizing
fact-finding missions and study tours to troubled areas such as the
U.S.-Mexican border, refugee camps, jails, prisons where asylum seekers
are detained in your community.
– Take risks. Prayerfully consider whether God may be calling you
congregation to offer shelter, assistance or jobs to undocumented immigrants.
What would it mean for you and your congregation to develop friendships
with members of the communities that have recently immigrated to your
community?
New MCC Web photo gallery- Hundreds of immigrants, most from Mexico and
Central America, die every year trying to cross the border into the United
States. The deadliest area is in Arizona, where the West Coast MCC-supported
Sonoran Borderlands Peacebuilding Initiatives is helping bring together
those affected by immigration and is looking at the forces that drive
workers to seek jobs far from home. See http://www.mcc.org/gallery/03_10/
for a collection of Arizona images. The November 2003 issue of MCC's free
magazine, a Common Place, will include an article on immigration and globalization
in Arizona. To subscribe, e-mail acp@mcc.org
or go to http://www.mcc.org/acp.
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Resources
on Immigration:
MCC Resource Catalog 2003-2004 pages 31-32 for videos, bulletin
inserts, study packets, and posters
MCC U.S. Guide to Immigration, Biblical Reflection and Church Response
Bible Study: The One Who Showed Mercy, An invitation to conversation
on Loving God, Loving Neighbor
For the resolution on immigration approved at the Mennonite Assembly in
Atlanta and more resources go to-
http://peace.mennolink.org/immigration.html
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Creation
Care
The well being of our lives is connected to the well being of the earth.
The first creation story of Genesis tells of Creator God looking at what
was created ‘...and indeed, it was very good.’ We all want a
good life, but can it be good if we are not also caring for the earth
that we have been given? Our lives are interconnected with the health
and well being of life around us. When was the last time that you, your
family, or your congregation purposely took action to care for the earth?
Some years ago the Mennonite Environmental Task Force put out an invitation
to the church.
‘Let each congregation give substance to the belief that ‘the
earth is the Lord’s and affirm that the sustenance of all life and
care of the environment is a Christian responsibility. Accordingly, each
congregation is encouraged to take the following action:
– develop and practice liturgy and celebrations honoring God and
God’s creation in connection with events such as Earth Day;
– develop and practice good stewardship of church property, including
energy-saving practices, natural landscaping styles and maintenance, and
minimizing the amount of paved surface area;
– develop and use curriculum that encouraged careful use and sharing
of the earth’s limited resources; and
– foster a sense of place and connection to the soil and food production,
as well as to local fields, woods, and water courses, through tree planting
celebrations, community gardening, and by spending time learning about
and enjoying nature in our local communities. ‘
While there is much that congregations can do together there are also
many opportunities for families to evaluate their lives in light of their
relationship to the earth. How large is the ecological footprint you and
your family are leaving on the earth? This accounting tool measures the
impact we have on nature by calculating how much land is needed to provide
the food, housing, transportation, energy and consumer goods and services
we use. How many foot prints the size of your family’s can the earth
support?
Mennonite Central Committee invites you to participate in a journey called,
7 Days--It is still good. An earth care trek for Christians.
7 Days is a nine-month web-based experience, intended to encourage
and empower concerned Christians to explore the connections between their
faith and caring for the earth, and to live more sustainable lives. The
trek is based on the Genesis 1 account of Creation. Approximately one
month will be devoted to each of the seven days of creation. Weekly updates
on the web will include four elements:
1-- earth connection (information about a current environmental issue)
2-- faith connection (how does this issue relate to my Christian faith?)
3-- reflect (a quotation, scripture text or prayer)
4-- take action (suggestions to make a difference)
Please join the trek! You will receive weekly updates from 7 Days coordinator,
Joanne Moyer. You will join an extended community of people traveling
the same trek. Hopefully, you will be inspired to make a difference. Please
register at http://www.mcc.org/7days
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Resources
for Creation Care
For more information about your footprint go to- http://www.earthday.net/footprint/index.asp
MCC Resource Catalog 2003-2004 pages 22-24 for videos, poster, Trek writings,
and bulletin inserts
Creation Care section of Pathway A of the ‘Second Mile, A Peace Journey
for Congregations’ curriculum
MCC Washington Office Guide to the Environment
MCC Trek, Venture into a World of Enough
MCC Brochure- Taking steps: To care for God’s creation
MCC Booklet- To care for God’s creation
An MCC children’s project- Caretakers: Earth stewardship for children
If you have question or would like help with resources feel free to call
me at MCC Great Lakes Goshen office. (574) 534-4133 Lois Hess Nafziger,
Peace and Justice Educator/Advocate or write me at
lnafziger@mcc.org, or mail at
MCC Great Lakes
1013 Division Street, Goshen, IN 26528
(574) 534-4133
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