Immigration Playlist
by 2022 DPF Peace Intern Erin Gresham
A Playlist is a way of engaging with an idea or topic. They can be used as small group discussion starters, for personal devotions, or as a place to jump into a subject.
On the subject of Immigration/Refugee Justice, here is:
…Something to break the ice
For difficult conversations, sometimes it helps for a group to “practice” their conversation by beginning with something lighter. This gives the facilitator an opportunity to reinforce the covenant ground rules for the group and gives group members an opportunity to warm up their active listening and engagement skills.
Here is a list of Random Conversation Starters that you can use to Break the Ice and practice your conversation skills before jumping into a heavier topic. This list was started by Rev. Randy Kuss and has been augmented and added to by Peace Interns over the last several summers.
…Something to Watch
Let’s Talk: US Immigration | NPR
For over 200 years the U.S. Immigration policies have determined who the U.S. lets in, and who is shut out. NPR’s Tom Gjelten explains.
Your Compassion in Action: Afghanistan
Our neighbors in Afghanistan are suffering. Week of Compassion partners are responding--in the U.S. and abroad--to meet urgent needs in the moment, and also plan for the long road ahead.
…Something to Read
The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Ohio Region has been very active supporting Afghan Refugees and placing them into new homes. The U.S. military bases are now cleared out and in areas like Cleveland, more than 600 refugees now have found homes! This support is given by multiple Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) churches, such as First Christian Church in Wauseon, Westlake Christian Church, North Eaton Christian Church, North Canton Community Christian Church, and Cleveland Heights Disciples Christian Church, as well as by the refugee agency USCRI and some local schools. These many agencies as well as local volunteers have helped raise money with fundraisers and donations, pillow and blanket drives, assistance in transportation, and much more.
In the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Georgia Region, volunteers and their partner Inspiritus, an Atlanta refugee agency, have been working this Spring with two families seeking refuge. The first family is A who has a wife and 8 children, who now have a furnished apartment and was working with a team of nine Chestnut Ridge Christian Church members to focus on resume building, job seeking, and recruitment guidance. Excitingly, A did get a job with Accenture and with the assistance of Chestnut Ridge Christian Church, is moving to Virginia this month (June 2022) with his family! Another refugee family being supported in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Georgia Region is a young mother, and her newborn. The baby was born in March 2022 and is with the mother. This young mother was forced to leave her husband and 3 young daughters to escape violence. She is being supported by a team of four folks from two Disciples congregations, FCC Decatur and Brookhaven Christian Church, with baby supplies and furniture, financial support, rides to doctors’ appointments, job hunting, and immigration assistance. This partnership will continue through October.
Learn more about Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries here!
Find more stories just like these on the Disciples Refugee and Immigration Ministries Facebook Page!
#WelcomeForAll #WithRefugees
…Something to Wonder
I wonder how we can support our neighbors who are seeking asylum?
I wonder what my faith says on immigratin justice?
…Something to Talk/Think/Journal About
How does God and or Jesus call us to support immigration justice?
Can I start a conversation with my neighbors about refugee ministry/justice?
Can I start a conversation with my church about refugee ministry/justice?
…Something to Do
…Something to Pray
God of yesterday, today, and tomorrow,
We see images on the news of people trying to flee from violence, and we wonder. What do they face if they stay? How will everyone find safety? We lament this situation and we long for your peace and your presence.
But we know this is not the whole picture. There are many women hiding in their homes. There are families displaced, struggling to find shelter. There are malnourished children and parents trying to find food to feed them.
And so we turn to you, O God.
Be present with those whose names we do not know, whose stories we have not heard, and whose struggles are too deep to understand. Holding them in the light, we trust that they are not alone.
Move in our time,
Make your abundance known so that all who are hungry in Afghanistan might find food.
Provide safe passage for those who are fleeing. Might they be welcomed with open arms and security along their journeys.
Work through the leaders of nations, leaders of communities to make your vision of peace, justice, compassion, goodness, and wholeness come to fruition.
Work through us, giving us the prayers to pray and the actions to take so that we might do what is right and good in your eyes.
We pray in Jesus’ name.
Amen