Refugee Accompaniment Newsletter January 2017

Support Refugees and Immigrants.  Four things you can do next week.

You are working hard to help refugees and immigrants in this important time. During this Epiphany season, we remember how Jesus’ family themselves became refugees to escape violence.  Here are four things you can do next week.

1.  Join a national grassroots strategizing session with interfaith and Christian multi-denominational partners.  Monday, January 9^th 4-6 p.m. eastern.  Receive updates via webinar on refugees and immigration actions from national and state perspectives. Link directly with other UCC and Disciples members during a break-out session to strategize on our particular mobilization.  Please RSVP so we know to expect you and indicate your denominational connection. 

Join the webinar on Monday the 9^th at 4 p.m. eastern by going to:  http://join.me/faith4immigration and following the directions for audio and visual. For audio only, dial +1.202.602.1295, and use Access Code: 354-977-836#

During the team break-outs, the UCC and Disciples conversations will happen via Zoom meeting.  Join either by computer https://zoom.us/j/447831994 or by phone, dial: 1-408-638-0968 and use the meeting ID:  447 831 994#

2.  Call your U.S. Senators and urge them to lift up the importance of refugee resettlement in the confirmation hearings for Executive branch leadership positions to be held the week of January 9^th.   Click here to find contact information for your Senators with identification of members of particular Senate committees considering nominees. When you call, you can say:

“I’m your constituent from [STATE], and my community welcomes refugees. As you prepare for the upcoming confirmation hearings, please ask the nominee to affirm the importance of the U.S. refugee resettlement program. Resettlement is a core American legacy that extends freedom and opportunity for refugees to rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.”

3. If you are in the DC/Maryland/Northern Virginia area, show your support for refugees and immigrants by attending the January 10^th and 11^th confirmation hearings in person.  Contact Rev. Sharon Stanley-Rae, Director, Refugee & Immigration Ministries, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for information and meeting places. sstanley@dhm.disciples.org; 202-957-7826 (cell)

4.  Sign on to Faith Leader letters that express concern for the previous anti-refugee and/or anti-immigrant stances of nominees.  Sign on letters close at the close of the day on Monday, January 9^th.  Senator Sessions (nominee for Attorney General) and General Kelly (nominee for Secretary of Homeland Security)

Questions?  Please contact Rev. Mary Schaller Blaufuss, Team Leader UCC Global Sharing of Resources at blaufusm@ucc.org or 216-736-3214.