THE TORCH

September 12, 2024

UNITED RELIGIOUS COMMUNITY NEWS

This week marks the 23rd anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks that affected the US and changed so much. The day is marked by local observances, prayers, and many acts of kindness and service. The URC is co-sponsoring an event next Weds, Sept 18, with the University of Notre Dame's Robinson Community Learning Center and the Ansari Institute; read below for more info.

Please note a bunch of items from partners, but you are asked to note our requests regarding assisting arriving refugees, including volunteering, donations, and other ways to get involved.

Thanks for your continued engagement with United Religious Community!

UPDATES TONIGHT: REFUGEE ARRIVALS/VOLUNTEERS NEEDED

URC invites any congregations or individuals to join us for our regular online RESET meeting (the informal group of volunteers, staff, agencies and others involved in the refugee resettlement world):

THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 12, 7-8 P.M.

The session will be via Zoom, and we provide updates on arrivals, learn from volunteers and co-sponsor groups about how their efforts are going, and encourage engagement of new volunteers. If you can join us to learn more, please email us for the link at: urc@urcsjc.org (or leave a voice message at 574-282-2397 x3).

For more info on the resettlement process, see our website: https://www.urcsjc.org/refugeeoverview.

REFUGEE RESET NEWS:

THE URC has helped a number of refugees that, after significant time for screening and vetting, arrived in St. Joseph County in 2024. To date, 81 individuals have arrived, representing families from Venezuela, Afghanistan, Cuba, Syria, Nicaragua and Ukraine. They joined another almost 200 who came as 'parolees' from Ukraine and Afghanistan.

JOIN US Thursday, Sept 12, 7-8 p.m. for a zoom check-in to learn more details; if interested, please contact John Pinter at jpinter@urcsjc.org for an invite.

NEEDED ITEMS: The needs we have for in-kind donations of goods varies, but we are providing a list of items that are frequently or currently needed. URC will gladly work with you to receive these items, but we ask you to make sure to work out arrangements for 'getting the goods' to us as not all items are stored at the offices.

Gift Cards are always helpful, especially for stores like Kroger, Meijer, Walmart and Aldi (all places near where refugees can easily access them). URC tracks these very carefully and assigns them to clients, particularly in their early arrival times when food benefits may be pending.

Here are some other things that we can always put to use and that are harder to find:

Bicycles (ideally in good repair; adult sized primarily); locks/helmets/lights also appreciated!
TVs, ideally of the newer 'flat screen' type, in working condition; smart TVs are welcome but not necessary
Computers/chromebooks/laptops

VEHICLES: Cars and other vehicles can often be used, and donations are appreciated. Here are a few caveats, however:

URC is the conduit for the donation; the donor can receive tax benefits by donating to the URC with the knowledge that URC will provide it at no cost to the client. We use an 'arm's length' approach, so that the recipient need not have contact with the donor, so the car is transferred without direct contact. On occasion, a donor wishes to have the car go to a client that has been in their sponsorship group, and this can be accommodated as long as the donation fits with URC's criteria on fairness.
It is important that vehicles be in decent shape, so that we don't pass along great expenses to the new drivers!
The URC would gladly receive a donated van or pickup truck.

URC generally does not receive clothing items. More on these needs in future editions of the TORCH and from our training or website.

RFPUSA Fall Webinars:

Thurs. Sept 19

RFPUSA will host its first of the season webinar, "Missionary Priest: A Spiritual Memoir" with Fr. Thomas Ryan, SCP on Thursday, Sept 19 at 2 p.m.

Registration is free: CLICK HERE

9/11 Interfaith Day of Service: Sept 18

Time: Wed Sep 18, 2024 (note the date!), 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm

Location: Robinson Community Learning Center, 1004 N. Eddy St, South Bend

Join the URC, the Robinson Community Learning Center and the Ansari Institute for Global Engagement with Religion as we participate in a service activity intended to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives and responded heroically to the events of September 11, 2001. Together we will build 4 cedar flower boxes -- that will be given to the homeowners of the new Habitat for Humanity homes being constructed in the Near Northwest Neighborhood as part of the inauguration events celebrating the inauguration of the Rev. Robert A. Dowd, CSC at the University of Notre Dame's 18th President.

Day of Service Registration

International Day of Prayers for Peace Observance: September 20

Each year, the UN and World Council of Churches declares Sept 21 (the Autumnal Equinox) as the International Day of Prayers for Peace. URC will collaborate this year with the University of Notre Dame's Keough School on Friday, September 20, at 2:00 p.m. on the campus.

Please click here for the website announcement (note that the event will take place on campus at Our Lady of the Lake Peace Plaza; this is outdoors, near the Grotto; plan travel accordingly!)

CROP WALK 2024: Sunday, September 29

The St. Joseph County CROP Walk will take place on Sunday, Sept. 29, from Zion United Church of Christ at Howard Park in South Bend. The St. Joseph County collection of teams hopes to raise $30,000 from our community.

Need a CROP Walk packet(s) for your congregation? URC has a few and can arrange to give you one; contact urc@urcsjc.org or call 574-282-2397 x 3.

We hope your congregation or you as an individual can join in the event this year (weather is nearly always perfect!). But if not, click below and you can donate to the event:

TEAM URC SOUTH BEND

CLICK FOR CROP SJCo 2024

SOUTH BEND GLOBAL CUP: SATURDAY, OCT 5, 9-2

In the summer of 2023, URC and others put on the first South Bend Global Cup, and soccer (football!) teams from the area with origins in places like Malawi, Bosnia, Nigeria, Mexico, Nicaragua, and numerous other locales joined in a fun event won by one of the Bosnian teams. South Bend Venue Parks and Arts will take on the program this year, on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Boehm Park.

Team sign ups are $50, and sponsorship opportunities exist. The link for info or to register is located here:

2024 SB Global Cup

ELECTION: NOVEMBER 5, 2025; REGISTER BY OCT. 7

The 2025 General Elections will be here very soon; are you registered to vote? Unsure? You can register online and/or check your registration status; it's very easy. Deadlines to be able to vote this November:

Indiana: October 7, 2025

Michigan: October 21, 2025 Click here to be taken to the Indiana or Michigan voter sites (do a websearch if you're not in Michiana)

URC Annual Meeting: November 14, 2024

THE URC ANNUAL MEETING WILL TAKE PLACE ON THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14. OFFICIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS WILL BE SENT 30 DAYS PRIOR.

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