WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Representative Steve King (IA-4) introduced “Ending the Sanctuary Capitol Policy Act of 2015,” legislation allowing for Capitol Police to ask protesters about their immigration status while on Capitol grounds. Humanitarian organization Church World Service announced its firm opposition to this bill, citing concerns that an anti-immigrant law of this nature would lead to discrimination and racial profiling …
From Kenya to New Jersey: ministry and mission with refugees
Pastor Jim Butler | November 3, 2015
As the Care and Community Pastor of NextGen, an American Baptist Church, I’m privileged to help lead our mission experiences both abroad and in New Jersey. At NextGen we believe that vision, mission and action are at the core of a thriving faith community. Last August we took a group of youth and adults to Soweto Academy in the heart …
Refugee and migrant crisis in Europe: Life on the road
Jovana Savic | October 30, 2015
Since September I have been organizing the CWS response to the refugee and migrant crisis in Europe. This is a complex emergency. But the needs of the families I am meeting are not. So often, the first request we hear is for bread. The road for these refugees is long and the children are hungry. CWS has been working with …
Initial Appeal: Pakistan-Afghanistan Earthquake Response
Appeal Code: 700-W Appeal amount: $60,000 SITUATION A powerful earthquake centered in northern Afghanistan – measured at 8.1-magnitude by Pakistan’s government and 7.5-magnitude by the U.S. Geological Survey – has affected Pakistan and Afghanistan. The quake could also be felt in India, Afghanistan and the United Arab Emirates. At least 270 people have been killed and more than 300 injured …
Bonn negotiations fail to fix the Paris agreement
October 29, 2015
The latest leg of negotiations before the Paris climate summit just concluded in Bonn, Germany, with little progress made towards the anticipated comprehensive climate change agreement. Ideally, a draft agreement should have been ready by now, to enable world leaders to adopt it in December. “There is no agreement about climate finance, the major questions of who should provide the …
Providing school supplies in Vietnam
CWS Vietnam team | October 28, 2015
Heavy rains recently hit northern Vietnam in Quang Hanh district of Quang Ninh province, located near three big coal mines. During the flash flooding, a dam holding back coal residue broke, damaging many homes and the Quang Hanh Kindergarten and Tha Cat Primary schools. The Quang Hanh kindergarten has around 800 students between the ages of three and five among …
Church World Service condemns signing of North Carolina’s anti-immigrant H.B. 318
WASHINGTON – Despite weeks of protest from religious and community leaders across the state and country, North Carolina Governor Pat McCrory signed H.B. 318 into law earlier today in Greensboro. “Legislation like H.B. 318 does not represent the true values of our communities,” CWS President and CEO the Rev. John L. McCullough said. “This legislation fosters fear, discrimination and racial …
Hurricane Patricia, Climate Change and God’s Call to Protect Creation
Rev. Dr. Chuck Currie | October 27, 2015
This blog was originally published by The Huffington Post on October 26 here. Two historic events collided this past week: Hurricane Patricia, the most dangerous hurricane in recorded history hit Mexico and diplomats from around the world gathered in Bonn for UN climate talks meant to produce a new accord to be signed this December in Paris. Faith leaders, with one …
Joint Appeal Church World Service and Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe: Urge Governments to Resettle Substantial Numbers of Syrian Refugees, Uphold Commitments to Protection
October 26, 2015
Church World Service (CWS), a humanitarian organization representing 37 Protestant, Anglican and Orthodox communions and 33 refugee resettlement offices across the United States, and Churches’ Commission for Migrants in Europe (CCME), bringing together 30 Anglican, Orthodox and Protestant churches and church-related organizations working on migration and integration, refugees and asylum, and against racism and discrimination, from 19 countries all over …
Church World Service Applauds Expansion of Family Reunification Program
October 23, 2015
WASHINGTON – Assisting refugees around the world and serving as one of nine refugee resettlement agencies the United States, Church World Service applauds the U.S. State Department’s recent expansion of the P-3 Family Reunification Program to include same-sex partners. “We are facing the largest refugee crisis since the end of World War II. As people of faith, we believe that …