Support the DREAM Act--Call Congress Today!
Bishop Minerva Carcaño, chair of the United Methodist Interagency Immigration Task Force and vice president of the General Commission on Religion and Race, has issued a request to all United Methodist clergy and laity living in the United States to call Capitol Hill today to request that their senators and representatives vote for the DREAM Act, which if passed would allow undocumented immigrant students to obtain legal status by going to college or joining the armed forces.
This effort is simple and will take little time. Simply call the Capitol Hill switchboard at 202-225-3121 and ask your senators and representatives to vote for and publicly support the DREAM Act.
The Story Behind your Thanksgiving Meal
When you sit down to dinner with your family this Thanksgiving, GCORR asks that you please take time to remember the immigrant women who are regularly exploited and abused by the U.S. food industry, and educate yourself about the abuses these women must endure.
National Native American Day is Friday, Nov. 26
Beginning in 2008, the Friday after Thanksgiving is designated as Native American Heritage Day
United Methodist Students without Scholarships as Offerings Decline
The number of United Methodist scholarships awarded to students is decreasing because of a steady decline in Special Sunday receipts, including World Communion Sunday, which provides scholarships for international and U.S. racial-ethnic graduate and undergraduate students.
Will Congress Vote on DREAM Act in 2010?
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised a Senate vote this year on a small piece of immigration legislation known as the DREAM Act, which would give hundreds of thousands of undocumented immigrants a conditional path to legal residency.
"The answer is yes," Reid told Univision host Jorge Ramos in October when pressed about whether there will be a vote. "I have the right to bring that up any time I want."
Rules of the House
As communities become more diverse, many worship facilities reflect this change with ethnically diverse congregations sharing worship space. With the right arrangement it can be a worship marriage made in heaven. However, when there is friction, the marriage tends to resemble one made someplace else.
Advocacy Grants Will Help Projects Assisting Immigrants, Refugees
The General Commission on Religion and Race CORR Action Fund recently announced grants totaling $296,000.00 to support nine projects aimed at services that advocate for the rights, human dignity, and inclusion of racial/ethnic groups, immigrants and refugees.
Bishops Oppose Racism, Back Immigration Reform
United Methodist bishops called on Christians to overcome racism and other sources of animosity to recognize the sacredness of every human being.
“As people of faith, we are charged to build the beloved community because Christ has broken down the dividing walls and ended the hostilities between us,” says a pastoral letter approved at the Nov. 2-6 Council of Bishops meeting. “Yet, we continue to build walls in the church and in the world which separate us and cause our hearts to grieve.” Read more
Peace with Justice Grants Available
Jan. 7 is the deadline to apply for a Peace with Justice grant from the United Methodist Board of Church and Society. Objectives for the grant include promotion, advocacy and leadership development related to issues of peace, reconciliation and human rights.
Grant applicants must be either a United Methodist or other affiliated organization, or an ecumenical group working with and through at least one United Methodist agency or organization. Funding for the program is generated through the Peace with Justice Special Sunday offering of The United Methodist Church. For assistance in filling out the Peace with Justice Grant Application, contact Marvlyn Scott at (202) 488-5643.
Hmong Churches Embrace Multicultural Ministry
Hmong congregations are embracing the movement to multicultural ministry, as second generations growing up in the United States become used to experiencing many cultures in their schools and communities. Their growing sense of the need for a broader community to address these issues was evident in a recent meeting in St. Paul of some 100 members of the Association of Hmong United Methodist Churches. Read more
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