December—frequently a season of holiday cheer and frenzied preparation, but at its heart this month’s focus, at least among the Christian community, is about a precious child, a vulnerable family and their struggle to find a safe place to stay in the face of a hostile government.
 
SJRAISE in collaboration with the EDSJ Latino Ministries Program will be hosting three Las Posadas celebrations: in Bakersfield (Dec. 16), Fresno (Dec. 20), and Lodi (Dec. 22). This playful event seeks to dramatize in story, music, and ritual the journey of the Holy Family to find safe shelter. We hope many of you will join us for these festive occasions. 
 
As we remember the struggles of the Holy Family to find some place to stay, we’ll also be recalling the many immigrants on our border who find themselves in similar straits - lonely, destitute, vulnerable to so many dangers. We’ll make a vivid connection to their struggles by assembling our Uncaged Art traveling exhibit at each venue. The exhibit features images created by immigrant children detained at La Tornillo Detention Center outside El Paso, Texas. SJRAISE received permission to reproduce these images as part of an education effort about the struggles of immigrants. You can see a brief video about the Uncaged Art exhibit here.
 
To deepen our understanding of the extraordinary struggles of immigrants at our borders and the factors that drive them to make such a long and treacherous journey, SJRAISE in conjunction with the Creation Care and Anti-Racism Commissions sponsored a webinar on Nov. 20th with UK photojournalist, Sean Hawkey, who spent over six weeks traveling with groups of migrants from Honduras to the U.S. border. SJRAISE made a modest contribution to his expenses during the journey.
 
Sean began by showing a brief video, Going North: Why Central Americans Migrate. It highlights some of the major reasons people are leaving their homes to head north, despite the many dangers that await them: hunger, kidnapping, rape, robbery, death. Sean calls these the “motors of migration.” Many who set out never reach the border - they die along the way.
 
One major driver of migration, Sean noted, is political corruption and resulting violence. Honduras, as just one example, is essentially run by a drug lord. Gang attacks, extortion, rape, murder are routine. The Washington Office on Latin America (WOLA) puts it bluntly, “The deeply rooted dynamics of violence and corruption in the countries of the Northern Triangle of Central America continue to represent one of the greatest challenges to ensuring the implementation of effective policies focused on human rights, the rule of law, and citizen security, and enabling an adequate and comprehensive approach to the structural causes that continue to generate unprecedented levels of migration of persons fleeing Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador.”
 
Sean recounted heartbreaking stories he heard from migrants along the way who were forced to watch the rape and/or murder of loved ones. Everyone he met along the way had such a stories. When the choice is the death of your family member or fleeing, you flee. Anyone would, we ourselves included.
 
The other major “motor of migration” Sean mentioned was the impact of climate change. Climate change has shifted the weather patterns of the region leading to extensive droughts in some areas (one region hasn’t been able to harvest a crop in ten years!) and in other areas, increasingly severe storms that have drowned crops, flooded communities, and eroded infrastructure. All colluding to undermine the capacities of rural communities to survive. Growing poverty, hunger, and migration are the consequences. For more on this connection, read here.
 
Racism also plays a role as a “motor” as indigenous and communities of African descent are harassed and their land confiscated in Honduras and Guatemala.
 
During the Las Posadas we recall that the Holy Family found many doors shut in their faces - no room in the inn. What does our faith call us to do in the face of the suffering immigrants we see? Sean suggested we consider these steps—a kind of Advent practice:
 
*   Learn more about what’s happening.  Good sources include: Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Washington Office on Latin America. Or watch our webinar with Sean Hawkey. [see below]
 
*  Speak out on behalf of just immigration policies and a foreign policy that supports democratic institutions and the rule of law through the Episcopal Public Policy Network.
 
*  Support groups in our communities assisting migrants by your contributions, volunteering advocacy like Faith in the Valley, the International Rescue Committee, and the California Immigrant Policy Center.
 
*  Join with SJRAISE in future events and actions. Keep track of our work via this newsletter, our website SJRAISE.org, and our Facebook page - EDSJ: A Safe Place for All God’s Peoples.
 
As we enter ever more deeply into the mystery of Emmanuel, God with us, in this Advent Season, may we also awaken to the presence of God with us among the “least of these”. May our eyes be opened.
 
Open my eyes that they may see
the deepest needs of people;
move my hands that they may feed the hungry;
touch my heart that it may bring warmth to the despairing;
teach me the generosity that welcomes strangers;
let me share my possessions to clothe the naked;
give me the care that strengthens the sick;
make me share in the quest to set the prisoners free.
In sharing our anxieties and love,
our poverty and our prosperity,
may we partake of your divine presence.    
                   Canaan Banana, Zimbabwe
 
Deacon Tom Hampson serves at St. John the Baptist Church in Lodi and chairs the EDSJ Immigration Commission (SJRAISE).
Our recent conversation with photo journalist Sean Hawkey on the push/pull of migration, including climate change, racism, violence and political corruption.

You can also watch Sean's video "Migrating North" as a sample of the conversation we had!
Greeting the Stranger: Serving the Afghan Refugee Community
December 15
12pm-1pm on ZOOM

The United States withdrawal from Afghanistan in August resulted in a community of refugees fleeing their homeland to secure safety for themselves and their families. As part of a worldwide resettlement program, many of these displaced persons are coming to the United States creating a broad need for support.

Christian communities across the country are stepping in to welcome the stranger and support their integration into communities. Many Episcopal parishes are part of this Christian witness and, during this panel, Kendall Martin of Episcopal Migration Ministries will talk with some of the clergy and lay leaders supporting these new neighbors. Join us to learn about these parishes leading in their local communities and how the Episcopal Migration Ministries has engaged in organizing the response to the largest mass evacuation in decades. You will be inspired by stories of the church stepping up at all levels to welcome and support the Afghan community and learn ways you can support these efforts.


Towards a California for All:
25 Years of California Immigrant Policy Center

Over the past 25 years, CIPC has been a steadfast advocate for a stronger, more inclusive California. We’ve convened powerful statewide coalitions of advocates and community leaders, advanced innovative narrative communications strategies that change the way we talk about immigrant communities, secured policy wins that ensure no one is excluded from supports that give everyone the opportunity to thrive, and partnered with legislative leaders to ensure all Californians have a voice in Sacramento.

Calls to Action, Training and Resources
Donations needed for International Rescue Committee

How you can help
 
As we prepare to serve a larger number of refugees, asylees and other special immigrants in the Central Valley, there are many ways that you can provide support:
 
  • Donate Household Items: As new families and individuals arrive, they will need household furnishings such as furniture (particularly couches and dining sets that are in good condition), new bath and bedding items, and kitchen supplies. A list of our general donations needs is attached. Feel free to respond to this email or contact us by phone at 209-272-0751 if you wish to donate any of these items.
 
  • Provide Gift Cards: We have a huge need right now for gift cards from Target or Walmart. These donations are incredibly empowering because they give people the power to choose what clothing and household items they want to buy, a luxury that was not available to them while living in refugee camps. Gift cards from Target or Walmart can be sent to the following address:

International Rescue Committee
3446 N. Golden State Blvd., Ste. A
Turlock, CA 95382
Attn: Jonathan Partridge
You can also purchase Visa gift cards through Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/IZ54FT2R92TL/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist
 
  • Volunteer: As more people arrive, we will need volunteers to help with virtual English language classes, job placement, and donation transportation. We will also likely need help transporting individuals and families to appointments once it becomes safe to do so. In addition, we will be looking for small groups who are interested in furnishing homes. More information on volunteer and internship opportunities can be found at the following link: https://www.rescue.org/volunteer-opportunities/turlock-ca
 



Wrapped in Love

If you are a quilter and would like to contribute to the Wrapped in Love project, or if you would like to provide financial assistance for mailing and supplies, please contact Pastor Julie at: pastorjuliekelly@gmail.com.

To view the video of the blessing of the blankets and hear from Pastor Julie and quilter, Jean Wright, click here
Check out Episcopal Migration Ministries new podcast:
Repairing the Breach: Building the Beloved Community Through Welcome
You can listen here!

****
The Immigration Services Directory, which provides a list of nonprofit community organizations that offer a broad range of immigration-related services in the Central Valley can be found here

Prayers of the People for use in Ordinary Time

SJRAISE Petitions for Prayers of the People

First Sunday in Advent
O God, reveal to us your Son’s coming in the cry of justice among all those who come to this country seeking work and a better life. 

Second Sunday in Advent
O God, reveal to us your Son’s coming in all those who seek to make straight the often crooked pathways of our nation’s immigration laws and practices.

Third Sunday in Advent
O God, reveal to us your Son’s coming in all those who long for the year of the Lord’s favor and in all those who work for the compassionate and just treatment of immigrants and asylum seekers.

Fourth Sunday in Advent
O God, reveal to us your Son’s coming in all women who live in danger and fear due their immigration status.

First Sunday after Christmas
O God, may we recognize your Son come to us in the many immigrant children placed at risk by indifferent policies and systems.

Second Sunday after Christmas
O God, hear the anguish of all refugee families who have been separated: parents who search for their children in anguish and desperation, children who live in loneliness and fear.


written by Rev. Luis Rodriguez, St Paul's Bakersfield

Prayer in a time of pandemic​
Loving God, throughout the Scriptures you call us to “Fear not!”, but these are troubling times for the hardiest souls. Give us courage to face the challenges of this new threat to your human family. Give us prudence, to do the necessary things to protect ourselves and others. Give us the clarity of vision to learn from this disease the lesson we are too prone to forget, that we are all connected, regardless of race or nationality or political persuasion. We pray for those who are struggling with this disease, that their health may be restored. We pray for medical personnel and first responders caring for those in need, that they remain healthy and unflagging in their life-saving work. And we pray for all those economically impacted, that they may find the resources to maintain themselves and their families.  We ask all this, trusting in your abiding love, a love that even death cannot defeat. Amen.

Written by Deacon Tom Hampson, St John's Lodi
 


Special Prayers for Immigrants During COVID-19

Oh Lord; in this time of Covid-19 as we take shelter in our homes, we ask you to spread your love and healing over our brothers and sisters held in overcrowded detention centers and refugee camps. 
We ask Lord that you may soften the hearts of those in authority, that them may care for our sisters and brothers in this time of crises.

We ask this in Jesus’s name. Amen

SJRAISE YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAJZiw1OpUAMshz5jbdxa2A

Sign up to hear from our partners!

Rio Grande Borderland Ministries (RGBM)

Episcopal Migration Ministries

Episcopal Public Policy Network

Church World Services

Faith in the Valley

Artisans Beyond Borders

Undocumented Migration Project
https://www.undocumentedmigrationproject.org

International Rescue Committee
https://www.rescue.org/

HOPE CAN'T BE QUARANTINED
Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services (LIRS) has developed a toolkit for supporting immigrants currently in detention.

Council on American-Islamic Relations