As we enter this week into a new season—on the same day as World Refugee Day on June 20th—we pray you will join us in making these weeks ahead a
SUMMER OF WELCOME for Refugees, Asylum Seekers, & Immigrants!
The wisdom writer of Ecclesiastes observed: “To everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven…a time to plant, and a time to reap…a time to break down and a time to build up” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-3). Such a promise could be made, he knew, because he believed in a God of permanent, committed, and constant refuge; one whose love and justice infused meaning into the cycles of life.
Far too often, however, immigrant and refugee communities have experienced repetitions of hopelessness, insecure policies, and only temporary solutions and opportunities. Despite efforts to plant gifts in the U.S., and to break down the traumas of their past, many are met by resistance and barriers.
Instead, RIM’s ministries invite you to kick off this season where reaping hope and building up again our U.S. heritage of hospitality are possible! We hope you’ll join us in GROWING WELCOME as we seek to build a season that:
· Grows Pathways to Citizenship--for DACA recipients like Marta. In front of the White House on the 9 Year Anniversary of DACA of June 15th, reminded us that “DACA is not enough! Immigrants who have been essential workers throughout the pandemic need permanent protections; for Dreamers, TPS recipients, farmworkers, and more.” Please join us as we Fast for Freedom with immigrants and take action to urge for pathways to citizenship this summer!
· Strengthens Refugee Resettlement—for refugees like Raees, an Afghani refugee father, who was one of only 11,804 allowed to resettle in the past year. “Please restore the US refugee program so others like my family who have been waiting many years may have a chance to live,” he urges. Hear more from Raees in this faith video, and see faith resources here & here to honor global refugees & strengthen the US refugee program to resettle 125,000 refugees again next year!
· Restores Humane Asylum Opportunities—for asylum seekers like Benson from Kenya, who fled threats to his life to seek asylum, but instead of being welcomed was detained for 14 months through an incarceration system he realized was “crafted to be as difficult as possible to deport as many as possible.” Though often feeling hopeless, he said “I found my hope by using my time in detention to help others also seeking protection to not give up.” Sign this Faith Leader Letter, see our Faith Vigil Asylum Toolkit & learn about Welcome with Dignity to see how you can help restore the legal right for persecuted persons to seek asylum protections in the U.S.
Will you join Disciples Refugee & Immigration Ministries to RESTORE our nation’s heritage of hospitality & build a SUMMER OF WELCOME?
Please help us ensure 2021 becomes a season of renewal and hope by donating online at: https://www.discipleshomemissions.org/product/donation/ & choosing “Refugee & Immigration Ministries” in the dropdown menu—or by mailing your donation check to “Refugee & Immigration Ministries/DHM” to: RIM, c/o Disciples Home Missions, Attn.: Kathy Watts, P.O. Box 1986, Indianapolis, IN. 46206
