Illinois Maya Ministry Forum - "Immigration Stories"

Saturday, April 17, 

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rockford, Illinois, 

Registration:  $35.00

Presenter, Rev. David Vásquez, Campus Pastor, Luther College, Decorah, Iowa,

Our Savior's Lutheran Church, Rockford, IL

Rev. Vásquez is presently the campus pastor at Luther College in Decorah, Iowa. During this, his sabbatical year, he has been focusing on migration narratives--in the Bible and in people’s lives today--exploring how the immigrant experience mighthelp us better understand our sacred texts while engaging our faith communities in the contemporary conversation about immigration reform. Pastor Vásquez was pivotal in providing support and advocacy for the immigrant community in Postville and Decorah, Iowa, after the largest (to that date) Immigration and Customs Enforcement raid in May 2008.

A play recounting the experience of the Guatemalan and Mexican workers of the May 12, 2008, raid in Postville, Iowa, will be presented  that was originally acted out by people who were detained awaiting deportation.  For more information and to see a brochure in pdf format, click here.

Send check to:  Rev. Mike Mulberry; P.O. Box 927; Byron, IL  61010

Postville Witnesses Soon To Be Deported

Illinois Maya Ministry wishes to express its grief and solidarity with those Postville witnesses that will soon be deported.  Immigrations and Customs Enforcement/Department of Homeland Security has disregarded the State of Iowa's wish to keep all the witnesses in Iowa, and has ordered their deportation on or before March 31, 2010.  With all that these people had suffered, the hope was that they might receive visas, dual citizenship or just more time to prepare for their departure.  Illinois Maya Ministry will certainly try to keep you aware of any future actions or advocacy that might be done on their behalf.

UCC Immigrant Rights Sunday

The first Sunday in May, May 2nd, has been designated Immigrant Rights Sunday within the UCC. Justice and Witness Ministries and Wider Church Ministries are urging congregations to lift up immigrants on this day: to learn about their concerns, honor their contributions to our country and communities, and listen to hear where God is leading us regarding issues of immigration.  For worship resources, click here.

Beyond the Border: Chicago 2010

Description: As a delegation solely in the interior of the United States, the trip forms part of our “Beyond the Border” series.  Among the goals of the series is to work with local partners and groups around the U.S. who are interested in learning, serving, and worshipping alongside immigrants in these communities.  Like traditional BorderLinks trips, the Chicago delegation will include educational visits with agencies working for immigration advocacy and policy reform, sharing and dialogue with immigrants living in Chicago, cultural activities and exchanges, and time for reflection, worship, and action planning.  Delegation leadership will be shared between BorderLinks staff and local partners based in Chicago.

The February delegation is open to individuals or small groups, but space is limited.  If your group of 13 people (high school age and up) would like to book the entire delegation, please contact the BorderLinks office as soon as possible.

Date: April 15-18, 2010.  The trip begins and ends in the late afternoon.
For more information, please contact the BorderLinks office in Tucson at 520-628-8263 and ask for the Education Department, or send us an e-mail.