THE TORCH: News & Updates

February, 2023

There is, as usual, much to report and activities with our member and partner organizations.

The URC has hired an outreach worker for Ukrainian Humanitarian Parolees (UHPs), and we invite you to see our info at the bottom of the newsletter for more on referrals;
The final outreach for AmeriCorps and our planned "N. Indiana Interfaith Action Network" occurred this week, and we have a great lineup of potential partners
We hosted a group of six Kyrgyzstan human rights activists for 8 days and great visits inn St Joe County, Chicago and Indianapolis

In addition, there's news and events from URC members and partners, like the St. Margaret's House Walk (Sunday), Locked in Solidarity (also Sunday), a look at combatting antisemitism from the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley (Tuesday) and a multitude of events from 1st Presbyterian, all shown below in chronological order.

Happy Sabbath, Jumma Mubarak, Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend!

LOSS OF A GREAT ADVOCATE:

BARBARA SZWEDA

The local community lost an attorney who was a true advocate for her clients, most of whom were folks who found their way to the greater South Bend area seeking asylum and safety. Barbara Szweda, shown above with her daughter Claire and son Matthew) was both the reason for so many long term residents in the community becoming engaged and involved with refugees, and the reason so many who fled oppression wound up making this community their safe haven. In the last year, Barbara rounded up a team of (mostly) retired attorneys, taught them immigration law, and got them engaged one on one with arriving Afghan families.

The URC is mourning along with so many others who knew Barbara, but we are thankful for her life of service and her commitment to creating a legacy that will continue. Click the link below to see her obituary and to see how to make a donation in her honor to La Casa de Amistad. There will be remembrances on Feb 20 at Notre Dame and on Feb 28 at St. Mary's College.

See Barbara's Obituary

The State of Antisemitism: Feb 21

St Joseph Co Public Library, DTSB Branch

From the Jewish Federation of St. Joseph Valley: Trent Spoolstra, Associate Regional Director for the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), and will give a talk on 'The State of Antisemitism' at the downtown South Bend Main Branch of the Library.

Details are in the photo below, and registration is here. If you have not been to training offered by the ADL, it is excellent and fact-based.

Registration is required; click here. .

LENT BEGINS:

1st Presbyterian and Matthew 25

Once again for 2023, the URC will participate with the activities of 1st Presbyterian Church, South Bend, with their 'Matthew 25' plans for Lent. There is so much going on, including book clubs, movies, service projects and a concert featuring tenor George Shirley (who sang at the MLK Breakfast last month; click here for his interview on NPR).

Too much to list; see 1st Presbyterian's events page here!!!

Events Link

Save the Date: Indiana Multifaith Network Gathering

April 19, 2023

The URC is a member of the new(ish) state interfaith coordinating network. The group will hold its annual gathering at the Interchurch Center, Indianapolis. Featured will be the story of the 'Stranger at the Gate' and the Islamic Center in Muncie. See the info to the right.

UKRAINIAN HUMANITARIAN PAROLE (UHP) OUTREACH

After the Russian invasion of Ukraine of last February, a system of providing individual sponsors for eligible Ukrainians was created to help resettle people displaced by the war. The URC, with our partners at Church World Service, are reaching out to provide services to folks displaced by the war who may be in our area; unlike 'typical' resettlement, the program has no central database, so the effort is to find the sponsors and arrived Ukrainians to make sure they are able to get work authorization, health screening, and other services.

The program is confidential and free. We urge anyone reading this newsletter to refer anyone that might be eligible. We have already helped 15 cases, and seek to assist more. Our territory includes St. Joe County and nearby Indiana areas (notably Elkhart County). If in doubt, make the referral and our team will help sort out eligibility.

See our flyer below, but please know that referrals can be made for anyone not sure of their status.

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