From the opening chapter of Genesis, “migration” is a continuous thread in the biblical narrative. So is the importance of caring for “the stranger and sojourner” – migrants, immigrants, refugees and asylum seekers. The Bible opens with God’s Spirit migrating over the face of the waters. Soon God creates humankind, male and female, in God’s image, bringing us to life …
On Long Island, spring shipments help after storms
Chris Herlinger |
Freeport, New York – To outsiders, New York’s Long Island may evoke images of summer homes and beach living. But economic hard times have not been kind to working-class communities like Freeport. And the damage brought by Hurricane Sandy has only worsened — and deeply so — what have already been tough years. “For some of the most vulnerable on …
Myrna Orozco: ‘I want you to become a safe space for people like me.’
Recipient of a 2012 CWS John Backer Award, Myrna Orozco is National Field Director for the United We Dream Network, based in Kansas City, Mo. Question: What is your immigrant story? Answer: I am originally from Ciudad Juarez, Chihuahua, Mexico. I came to the United States when I was four years old, in December 1994. Now I live near Kansas …
Become an Immigrant Welcoming Congregation!
Rev. Noel Andersen |
Congregations across the United States are embarking on the journey of becoming “Immigrant Welcoming Congregations” (IWC). Participation in this journey equips churches to travel from mercy to justice, from service to incarnational friendship, from activism to organizing, from “ministering to” immigrants to being transformed alongside of immigrant communities. Kristin Kumpf, a United Methodist working with the Midwest Academy, Chicago, Ill., …
Fix our broken U.S. immigration system now!
Erol Kekic |
Election 2012 is over, and the results show that Americans want our broken immigration system to be fixed – and promptly. Voters saw immigration as a major issue of our day, an issue inseparable from that of the economic recovery. They clearly rejected as a non-solution the rhetoric of “self-deportation” – trying to make life so miserable for undocumented immigrants …
CWS resettles 5,871 refugees in FY 2012
New York City –- In FY 2012 (Oct. 1, 2011-Sept. 30, 2012), Church World Service resettled 5,871 refugees toward a U.S. Refugee Admissions Program total of 58,238. “Those numbers represent a chance at life for some of the world’s most vulnerable people,” said Erol Kekic, Director of the CWS Immigration and Refugee Program, New York. “We are glad to be …
Church-hosted refugee gardens prove drought-resistant
Harvest time in Michigan found refugee gardeners in Grand Rapids, Mich., satisfied with a generous yield despite this year’s hot, dry summer. The 89 Bhutanese and Burmese refugee families grew corn, tomatoes, peppers, onions, potatoes and mustard greens in three community gardens sponsored by Bethany Christian Services’ Refugee Resettlement Services, a CWS affiliate. Holy Cross Episcopal Church, Ascension Lutheran Church …
ICVA establishes N.Y. presence; Montemurro to work from CWS offices
November 21, 2012
NEW YORK CITY — Church World Service recently welcomed the United States representative for the Geneva-based International Council of Voluntary Agencies (ICVA)to its New York City headquarters at the Interchurch Center and its office at the Church Center for the United Nations. The assignment of Marzia Montemurro as director of humanitarian policy for the global network of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) …
CWS Elects Diverse Board to Advance Agency Vision
November 13, 2012
CWS members unanimously elected a new Board of Directors at the humanitarian agency’s October 2012 Annual Members Meeting. Elections to the smaller, non-representative board were drawn from a broad variety of professional backgrounds, including foundations, development agencies, corporations and advocacy organizations. For more than 65 years, the board of Church World Service has been composed of representatives from its member …
Situation report: Guatemala earthquake
November 9, 2012
Situation: At least 52 died in an earthquake Wednesday (Nov.7) centered off Guatemala’s Pacific Coast, in the northern part of Guatemala. The 7.4-magnitude quake was felt throughout most of the country, and has forced evacuations, particularly in mountainous areas. More than 700 are in shelters, and hundreds others were displaced. Dozens of homes were damaged or destroyed. The quake is …