General Board of Discipleship to Trim Staff

NASHVILLE, Tenn., December 19, 2008/GBOD -- The United Methodist General Board of Discipleship (GBOD) is reducing staff in response to a deteriorating U.S. economy and an effort to align resources around its strategic directions and the four areas of focus approved by the 2008 General Conference.

Karen Greenwaldt, top executive at GBOD, after consultation with the president of GBOD, Bishop Charlene Kammerer, and other key board leaders, announced staff is being reduced in GBOD’s Upper Room Ministries, which does not receive apportionment dollars, and other apportionment-funded units (those receiving World Service dollars). Overall, this will result in 15 positions being eliminated, five of which are not presently filled. The staff reductions will begin at the end of January 2009.

“We deeply regret that this announcement is being made during this Christmas season, and we will miss our valued colleagues. However, we feel that we must start the New Year ready to serve the denomination with a leaner and focused organization that also recognizes the economic reality facing our churches and the larger society,” said Greenwaldt. “These changes are being made after a thoughtful and careful review of our operations and a strategic decision to align our ministries around the denomination’s goals for the next four years,” she said.

Although GBOD will be reducing staff in some areas, New Church Starts, a new unit responsible for training and equipping 1000 church planters to start 650 churches over the next four years, is acquiring four new staff members. “We are excited about this new area and the direction it is taking the church. The impact of its service to the denomination has already been felt,” said Greenwaldt.

A Word of Hope

I was reading an article by Tom Wilkinson who works with the Florida Conference United Methodist Foundation. I think the beginning of his article reflects what all of us are facing in these days. He writes:

“No one needs to be reminded that 2008 has been a horrible year for the world economy.

Home foreclosures, the credit crisis, unemployment, steep stock market declines and shaken consumer confidence have led many church leaders to question how church members and friends will continue to support the vital mission and ministry of our churches in the Florida Conference. And it is during times like these that the church becomes even more important, as we seek to reach out and serve people in our communities, people who are reeling from the loss of a job or home, wondering how to pay for college tuition, and worried about shrinking retirement savings plans, feeling alone and scared.”

I think in times like these we have to remember we trust our Lord to be our Shepherd even more than it good times.

I know many of our people and churches are suffering with a loss of giving. Sometimes these kinds of times cause us to evaluate what is really important. Budgets will reflect our priorities.

I do believe God will see us through this time of difficulty. It may require us to live more simple lives.

Robert F. Sharpe Jr., president of the Sharpe Group, a Memphis planned giving consulting firm, says, “While no one knows the exact extent of the economic crisis we now face, we can take to heart some of the lessons of the Great Depression (of the 1930s).”

Sharpe notes giving did not decline dramatically in the immediate aftermath of the 1929 stock market crash. In fact, giving to Community Chests, which were predecessors of many United Way organizations, rose 15 percent between 1930 and 1931.

While these historic macroeconomic trends may provide some comfort, the current financial crisis still presents real problems for United Methodist churches and agencies.

Remember, we are made in the image of God, the ultimate giver of all that we are and all that we have. We look the most like God when we are generous. We reflect the face of Jesus when we compassionately and generously share what God has given us. Generous giving grows from our need to give as part of our spiritual journey, rather than the church’s need to receive. In other words, the question is, “What is God calling me to give?” rather than “What does my church need from me?”

Together we will make it through these difficult times.

May the Christ Child be the center of your life this Christmas.

Dick Wills
Bishop
Nashville Area
The United Methodist Church

Background Information on English-only

The proposed Metro Charter amendment reads: “English is the official language of the Metropolitan Government of Nashville and Davidson County, Tennessee. Official actions which bind or commit the government shall be taken only in the English language, and all official government communications and publications shall be in English. No person shall have a right to government services in any other language. All meetings of the Metro Council, Boards, and Commissions of the Metropolitan Government shall be conducted in English. The Metro Council may make specific exceptions to protect public health and safety. Nothing in this measure shall be interpreted to conflict with federal or state law."

• The proposed charter amendment is “English-only,” not “English-first.” The initiative is an attempt to eliminate the use of all non-English languages by Metro government. The word “only” appears in the proposed language, and not the word “first.” People are understandably less supportive of English-only measures because an outright prohibition against non-English languages is excessive and dangerous.

• English-only laws are not about the importance of learning English; they are about how we treat immigrants in transition. Many people who express support for this type of initiative really just want to affirm the importance of the English language in times of cultural change and insecurity. The truth is, immigrants understand the importance of learning English better than anyone, and they are learning just like our grandparents did. It serves everyone's interests that they be able to interact with the government in the meantime.

• City leaders have decided overwhelmingly that English-only is bad for Nashville. On August 7, 2008, the Metro Council voted 25-8 urging voters to oppose an English-only charter amendment. Mayor Dean himself addressed the council: “I wanted to take this time, this opportunity to make sure my voice, as mayor of this city, is heard on this issue, and to assure that everyone fully understands the consequences of passing a law that will tie our hands in the global economy, that will detract from our appeal as an international tourist destination, and that will damage our reputation as a welcoming and friendly city.”th

The proposed English-only charter amendment is:
Unnecessary, and Actually Bad for English

• English is already the “official and legal language” of Tennessee. In November of 2006, the Nashville Metro Council passed resolution RS2006-1650, clarifying that TN state law already establishes English as the official language, and expressing concern that further English-only legislation could actually be bad for English acquisition.

• Today's immigrants are learning English the same way our grandparents did—by getting out into the community and interacting with native speakers of the language. This proposed charter amendment seeks to further isolate immigrants, making it much more difficult to learn English. If the concern is that immigrants are not learning English quickly enough, we should create more opportunities for them to learn.

• Research indicates that 98% of Latinos think it is “essential” that their children learn English. In fact, 80% of foreign-born children from Mexico learn English "well" or "very well," and 92 percent of second-generation Latinos are fully fluent in English. By the third generation, only 28% of Latinos are still proficient in Spanish (Migration Policy Institute).

• Immigrants are required to demonstrate English proficiency before they become U.S. citizens, with only a few exceptions for older people. However, the citizenship process is long and arduous, and immigrants must interact with government agencies while they are still learning English. When refugees come to Tennessee from Sudan, they don’t learn English in a refugee camp in Chad. They learn English once they get here. There are over 45,000 foreign-born individuals in Davidson County who are still working towards their citizenship.

• When the Metro Council passed its pro-English resolution in 2006, it found that English-only legislation has a “potentially detrimental impact on those who are already linguistically isolated; and…increased linguistic isolation for LEP individuals may have the unintended consequence of slowing their rate of English acquisition.”

Costly to Taxpayers

• This unnecessary ballot initiative will cost Nashville taxpayers approximately $500,000, during a time when the nation is facing a financial crisis and local governments are being forced to cut essential services.

Novel Was Inspired by True-Life Mission Experiences, Says Lay Speaker

John I. Carney, a certified United Methodist lay speaker and a member of First UMC Shelbyville, has self-published "Soapstone," a novel inspired by his short-term mission trips since 2003, especially his trips to Kenya in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

Carney, who is the city editor for the Shelbyville Times-Gazette, takes his foreign mission trips with LEAMIS International Ministries, a small, non-denominational missions group based in Marion County, and he recently joined the LEAMIS board. In addition to Kenya, he has been on trips to Nicaragua, Bolivia and Costa Rica.

"I wrote the first draft of the novel in November 2007," said Carney, "as part of a writing exercise called National Novel Writing Month. The exercise calls for you to write 50,000 words during the month of November -- an average of 1,667 words a day. That doesn't leave you much time to second-guess or edit yourself, and so the manuscript comes out looking pretty rough. But it also brings out creative elements that wouldn't be there if you had the time to think about them."

Carney decided to create a fictional story which would give him a chance to incorporate some of his real experiences and memories. Although he admits the main character Jeff Doerman, inspired by his own experiences, he consciously avoided basing any of Doerman's teammates on individual people with whom he has served on previous trips.

"Plus," he laughed, "Jeff gets to have a little bit of a romance on his trip -- something that, sadly, hasn't happened to me."

After speed-writing that first draft, Carney tinkered with it in the following months before deciding to self-publish it through a publish-on-demand firm.

Carney says the novel isn't meant as a serious treatise on the benefits of short-term mission trips, a subject of some discussion in recent years. But he said he'd be pleased if it inspires a reader to think about the possibility of ministry in a foreign country.

Carney, the son of retired United Methodist minister Jack Carney, became the first lay speaker to preach during an evening worship at Tennessee Annual Conference during the June 2008 event. In October through December 2008, he taught the basic lay speaking class at Scott UMC in Shelbyville. He is also a former long-time board member for Mountain T.O.P. (Tennessee Outreach Project), and continues to volunteer with Mountain T.O.P.

"Soapstone" is available from Amazon.com or at createspace.com/3358275 .

River Deep and Wide to explore gospel in interfaith, multicultural society

NASHVILLE, Tenn., November 20, 2008 /GBOD/ -- The Academy for Spiritual Formation, a ministry of the United Methodist General Board of Discipleship’s Upper Room ministries, presents “A River Deep and Wide: Christian Spiritual Practices for the 21st Century” (http://www.upperroom.org/river), April 20-25, 2009, at the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville.

Based on the belief that Christian spirituality is “deep and wide” and the notion that challenges of greater diversity in American culture are an invitation to faithful Christian practice, the conference seeks to address the question: in a world of increasing multicultural and interfaith diversity, how shall the Church respond?

“There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God,” Psalm 46:4a proclaims.

“This river is God’s grace; the source of Christian spirituality, which is what we will explore at this conference from various cultural and interdisciplinary perspectives through worship, lecture, silence, art, dance and interfaith dialogue,” says the Rev. Jerry Haas, director of the Academy for Spiritual Formation.

The schedule (http://www.upperroom.org/river/schedule.html) begins with registration and check-in at 3:00 p.m. April 20 and concludes with a Celebration of Word and Table at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 25.

Co-sponsored by Scarritt-Bennett Center, Weavings Journal and the General Commission on Christian Unity and Interreligious Concerns, “A River Deep and Wide” includes contemplative spiritual practices from Native, Africana, Hispanic and Euro-American perspectives.

Recognizing that this event may help lead the denomination to a 21st century global outlook, Bishop Hee-Soo Jung, of the Chicago Area and member of the design team, sees the event as a time of searching and shaping how The United Methodist Church is responding to the trend towards an increasingly interfaith, diverse, multicultural society.

“We must discern and seek God’s direction as to how we can learn and serve in light of this changing context,” Jung said.

“A River Deep and Wide” will have intentional learning and celebration as a community, with nearly 40 workshops offered under the categories of “Deepening the River” during the morning sessions and “Widening the River” during afternoon sessions.

The design of the conference reflects the schedule used for the Academy for Spiritual Formation with Morning Prayer, Night Prayer and daily Holy Communion. Begun in 1983, the Academy is entering its 26th year. This conference marks the beginning of its second generation.

“Over the last 25 years, the Academy for Spiritual Formation has been a very strong, sustaining community for spiritual leaders,” said Jung. “And now for the next 25 years and in the future, we are going to re-shape [the Academy] to the need and relevancy of the spiritual leadership for this world.”

Among the key plenary leaders (http://www.upperroom.org/river/leaders.html) are:

* The Rev. Barbara Ann Holmes, Ph.D., author of “Joy Unspeakable: Contemplative Practices of the Black Church” (Augsburg, 2004) and vice-president of Academic Affairs at Memphis Theological Seminary;

* Dr. M. Thomas Thangaraj, who serves as faculty at Tamilnadu Theological Seminary in Madurai, India, taught world Christianity at Candler School of Theology of Emory University for more than 20 years and authored “Relating to People of Other Religions: What Every Christen Needs to Know” (Abingdon, 1997);

* Elise Eslinger, editor of “The Upper Room Worshipbook: Music and Liturgies for Spiritual Formation,” worship coordinator for the event and a musician and worship consultant;

* The Rev. Ben Williams, senior pastor of St. Mark United Methodist Church in Raleigh, North Carolina; and

* Dr. Don Saliers, author, theologian and musician, recently retired from Candler School of Theology and now teaching at St. John’s University in Collegeville, Minn.

For more information, call 877-899-2781; ext. 7233. Registration before March 1 is $225 or $175 for students. To register online, visit: http://www.upperroom.org/river/registration.html.

GBOD’s mission is to support annual conference and local church leaders for their task of equipping world-changing disciples. An agency of The United Methodist Church, GBOD is located at 1908 Grand Ave. in Nashville, Tenn. For more information, visit www.gbod.org, or call the Media Relations Office toll free at (877) 899-2780, Ext. 7017.

Church, Academic Leaders Gather to Strengthen Connections

By Vicki Brown*
Leaders from United Methodist churches and higher education institutions will gather this spring at five events in each jurisdiction to discuss how the church and the academy can work together more closely.

One of goals of the events organized by the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry is to consider how to increase the number of United Methodist students enrolled in United Methodist-related schools, colleges, and universities.

Meetings are planned in the South Central Jurisdiction in Arlington, Tex., Jan. 22-24; the Western Jurisdiction in Stockton, Calif., Feb. 5-7; Northeastern, Syracuse, N.Y., Feb. 19-21; North Central, Naperville, Ill., March 5-7; Southeastern, Daytona Beach, Fla., March 27-29.

“It is imperative that we take a look at our connectional infrastructure and invest in making it stronger. We have to reopen the lines of communication between our schools, colleges, universities, and the church. That’s the hope for the future. It’s where our leaders come from,” said Wanda Bigham, interim associate general secretary, Division of Higher Education, GBHEM.

Ingrid McIntyre, director of Connectional Relations at GBHEM, said the events will provide time for networking and connecting.

“We will talk about our roles in ministry with young people, how we can reach out to our United Methodist student leaders and provide current leadership tools that will be helpful in bridging the gap that sometimes inhibits our effectiveness,” McIntyre said.

One of the keynote speakers at three of the events is Duane Anders, who contributed to the book 7 Myths of The United Methodist Church, written by Craig Kennett Miller. The book looks at the attitudes and beliefs that keep the church from fulfilling its call to create disciple-making faith communities. Beginning with the myth "We’re a Connectional Church,” the book challenges leaders to create environments of grace for people disconnected from the local church.

Anders, district superintendent of the Dayton north district of the West Ohio Annual Conference, tells pastors in his district that if their church is growing and the United Methodist churches in their region are not, they have not done their job. Anders is also lead pastor of Stillwater United Methodist Church.

During the Bridging the Gap events, he will highlight United Methodist connectionalism, and use his gifts of teaching and encouragement to connect the people of The United Methodist Church to United Methodist-related institutions. He will attend the Western, Northeastern, and Southeastern events.

Breakout groups at each event include sessions on: vocation and discernment, church relations, student leadership, loans and scholarships, and John Wesley and higher education.

Those who might be interested in attending include: annual conference chairs of Higher Education and Campus Ministry; college and university presidents and deans; conference youth coordinators; youth ministers and volunteers; Christian education leaders; chaplains; college church-relations directors; directors of admissions and financial aid directors; district superintendents; and directors of connectional ministries.

To learn more about these events, visit www.gbhem.org/bridgingthegap.

Caring for Creation Teaches how to Go Green

LAKE JUNALUSAKA, N.C. — How can you ‘go green’? This popular way of taking care of the earth will be explored March 5-8, 2009 during the 4th annual Caring for Creation seminar at Lake Junaluska Conference & Retreat Center. Speakers and workshops will address how to promote justice for the Earth and its people. The seminar will provide 15 workshops, including, how to map your ecological foot print.

Jimmy L. Carr, Lake Junaluska Executive Director, said this is the time to take action in caring for the world.

“Lake Junaluska is happy to host the fourth Caring for Creation event. We believe that churches and individuals will benefit from an event focused on helping the environment. These are crucial times where we have the opportunity be educated and act on promoting justice for the Earth. Being a part of Caring for Creation is one of many opportunities to do our part,” he said.

Dr. Norman Wirzba, Professor of Theology, Ecology and Rural Life at Duke Divinity School and one of the keynote presenters, explained why caring for creation is important.

“Christian scriptures teach that God is at work reconciling the whole world to Himself through the life and ministry of Christ. All members of creation are included in Christ’s salvific action because God loves all that He has made. Christians are called to participate in this reconciling and healing work. We are to care for creation because in doing so we acknowledge that God is not simply interested in the salvation of individual souls. Our most important task as creatures made in the image of God is to serve and keep the gardens of creation. Doing so we learn what it means to be a creature and why the worship of God the Creator is so important,” Dr. Wirzba said.

Other keynote presenters will be:

· Mr. John Hill, General Board of Church and Society of The United Methodist Church;
· Mr. Charles Dayton, an environmental attorney;
· Dr. Michael Battle, president of the Interdenominational Theological Center;
· Dr. Matthew Sleet, a physician.

In addition to these presentations, participants will have the option to participate in three of 15 different workshops of interest to them. The new workshops offered in 2009 are:

· Water Quality Issues and Volunteer Stream Monitoring;
· Planning Earth Day Sunday and Earth Day Celebrations;
· Solar Solutions For Faith Congregations;
· Getting Started As A Vegetarian;
· Creating Local Food Systems;
· Back Yard Medicine: Weeds As Healers;
· How One Community Worked At Food Systems;
· Working With Faith Groups on Ecological Issues;
· Defending Creation From Nuclear Assault.

For a complete list of workshops and more information on the event, please visit www.lakejunaluska.com/caring-for-creation.aspx

Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day grants application deadline is Jan. 10
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Jan. 10 is the deadline to apply for either an Ethnic Local Church or Human Relations Day grant from the United Methodist General Board of Church & Society (GBCS).
The Ethnic Local Church Grant program is to strengthen ethnic local churches through education, advocacy or leadership training and development as they engage in social justice.
The Human Relations Day Grant is to support ministries that respond to non-violent young offenders through education, advocacy or leadership training and development
Both grants are awarded through two funding cycles: Jan. 10 is the deadline for March funding; Aug. 10 for October. Grant decisions are made by GBCS’s Board of Directors at its spring and fall meetings.
To qualify for either grant, applicants must be: a United Methodist local church, district, annual conference or other affiliated group/organization; or an ecumenical group/organization working with and through at least one United Methodist agency or organization, whose program affects at least one United Methodist local church.
Ethnic Local Church Grants
Ethnic Local Church Grant recipients must be programs initiated by or developed in partnership with one or more United Methodist ethnic local churches. Racial/ethnic persons shall be the majority of those served by the program.
The project must focus on needs identified by ethnic local churches as they address one or more chronic social problems or concerns, such as housing, employment, health care, human rights, education, the environment and racism.
All applicants must have a supervisory board composed of a majority of ethnic persons that shall make all policy decisions.
Human Relations Day Grants
Human Relation Day Grant funds are raised through The United Methodist Church’s Human Relations Day Special Sunday each year. Human Relations Day is the Sunday immediately following the observance of Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday. The observance will be Jan. 18 next year.
The United Methodist Book of Discipline describes Human Relations Day as a call to the Church to recognize the right of all God's children to realize their potential as human beings in relationship with each other. The Special Sunday supports the Youth Offender Rehabilitation Program.
To be considered for a Human Relations Day Grant, a project must be initiated by or developed in partnership with a United Methodist church. The project must focus on needs of non-violent juvenile youth offenders as they address one or more chronic social problems or concerns, such as housing, employment, health care, human rights, education, the environment and racism.
Applicants must have a supervisory board consisting of a majority of members of The United Methodist Church that shall make all policy decisions.
Both Ethnic Local Church and Human Relations Day funding requests will be considered on their own merits with no required minimum or maximum amount. Intent of the grants programs is to provide start-up money. Therefore, priority goes to first-time applicants. All funding from GBCS must be used for programmatic components and not for salaries, purchase of equipment, purely administrative costs, and direct delivery of services or building construction.
Priority consideration shall be given to programs that are part of a Comprehensive Plan of an Annual Conference.

Grant applications can be obtained at www.umc-gbcs.org/GBCSGrants or from Marvlyn Scott, mscott@umc-gbcs.org or (202) 488-5643.

For more information, contact The Rev. Neal Christie, Assistant General Secretary, GBCS Education and Leadership Formation, nchristie@umc-gbcs.org or (202) 488-5611.

The Christmas season offers ample opportunity to provide Christian presence at Riverbend Maximum Security Prison

On December 10 there will be a special “holiday” dinner served to unit 6, recognizing their contribution to the smooth running of all the different programs, maintenance and service activities at Riverbend. This is a dinner offered by religious volunteers. You may participate in basically two ways.

+Be at the main gate at 4:30 p.m. to help setup, serve and take down the buffet line (no cooking). If your congregation could provide at least four volunteers that would be GREAT. Names of the volunteers will be needed by November 29th.
+This dinner is not cheap so donations of any amount (preferably $250 per church) will be much appreciated, to defer the estimated cost of $2800.00. We expect to feed, including the volunteers, approximately 350 people.

Christ United Methodist Church will provide “entertainment” featuring Christmas music by the chancel choir.

On the nights of December 16, 17, and 18 Christmas packages will be distributed to the six units at Riverbend Maximum Security prison. This is the culmination of months of work by volunteers and inmates and is a wonderful time to be there as a volunteer to individually hand out the packages. Again, this activity provides two main opportunities to participate:

+On any one of those nights, you may only serve one night of the three, be at the check point at 5:30 p.m. to proceed to the chapel with approximately 50 other volunteers (we need 150 total). From the chapel you will go, with fellow Christians from all denominational traditions, to your assigned unit to hand out the packages. You will make friends that night that will last a life time plus.
+Contributions of a number of items—in quantities of 750 units—are needed to make the Christmas package project a success (A list of specific items is contained in the next paragraph. These items will be picked up at your church or wherever to be delivered to Riverbend.

The church should have received a letter detailing all of this, but if not, request a letter from Jerry Nail (contact information below). Financial contributions are needed as well and will be used to buy items that are not donated. Either way you or your congregation choose to participate (actual package items or financial contribution) know that your gift is totally appreciated.

Items needed in quantities of 750 units
.Toothpaste any brand, any size
.Toothbrushes any brand (plastic)
.Little Debbie Snack Cakes
.Candy Bars, any brand, any type
.Peanuts, individual bags
.Combs/brushes, must be plastic
.Ball point pens clear plastic only
.Colored pens
.Snack crackers
.Cookies (any type but needs to be in individual packs)

This ministry is a vital activity of your United Methodist Church and needs your prayers and your support. If you would like to participate thru-out the year in all manner of activities please contact your minister of conference office. We look forward to your support.

If you wish to make a monetary contribution make your check or money order out to Christ United Methodist Church and send it to Christ UMC Prison Ministry Holiday Project or Dinner, 508 Franklin Road, Franklin, TN 37069. Make sure your check or money order has on the reference line—Prison Ministry Holiday Project or Dinner.

For additional information contact Jerry Nail, Chairperson Tennessee Conference Correctional Ministry Committee, 615-390-1129, or email jerrybnail@bellsouth.net

United Methodist Board of Church & Society organizes work areas

Bishop Kiesey elected president, Winkler to serve 4 more years
WASHINGTON, D.C. — The new directors of The United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church & Society (GBCS) were called to be “prophets of faith, justice and hope” as they prepared to organize themselves into work areas for the next four years.

Bishop Forrest Stith, representing the United Methodist Council of Bishops, issued the call to the 63-member board during a worship service that began the organizational meeting here Oct. 23-26.

GBCS “carries the mantel of faith, peace and justice in behalf of our denomination and perhaps all of Christendom,” Bishop Stith declared, adding that he was honored to be asked to chair the organizing meeting.

Kiesey elected president
Bishop Deborah Kiesey of the Dakotas Conference was elected president of the board. Kiesey, a director the past four years, succeeds Bishop Beverly Shamana. Bishop Robert Hoshibata of Oregon-Idaho Conference was elected vice chair.

“As an agency of The United Methodist Church,” Bishop Stith emphasized to the newly formed board, “you stand at a propitious moment in history, for our nation and for our world. Your calling must be clear, to assure the love of the people called United Methodists is not just vertical, but horizontal, transforming the world, not conforming to the world.”

Chairs of work areas were also elected at the organizational meeting. They are: the Rev. Dr. Tamara Brown (Kentucky Conference), Alcohol, Other Addictions and Healthcare; the Rev. Mike McKee (Central Texas), Environmental and Economic Justice; Bishop Jane Middleton (Central Pennsylvania), Human Welfare; and the Rev. Tracy Smith Malone (Northern Illinois), Peace with Justice/United Nations and International Affairs.

Winkler unanimously reelected
The annual meeting’s opening worship and organizational meeting opened in the Simpson Memorial Chapel in the United Methodist Building on Capitol Hill here. The directors then moved to the M Street Renaissance Hotel downtown for a weekend of more worship, work area deliberations and other organizational issues.

The directors unanimously reelected James Winkler to be General Secretary for another four years. He has served as General Secretary, the agency’s chief executive officer, since 2000.
In addition to elections, the directors also awarded nearly $150,000 in 15 ethnic local church grants and $12,000 in a Human Relations Day grant.

A special $20,000 Peace with Justice grant was approved to support the work of the Council on Bishops’ task force to update its statement on “In Defense of Creation.” The original statement, issued in 1986 after two years of study, addressed the nuclear crisis, a just peace and their impact on the planet.

Directors approved $30,000 to continue the 30-year-old Ethnic Young Adult Summer Intern Program. Under it, persons from across the world come to work as interns in social justice placements in Washington, D.C., including at GBCS. In 2008, interns came from the United States, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia and the Philippines.

A guest during the directors’ meeting was actor David Keith, who has more than 100 movie and television roles to his credit, including “An Officer and a Gentleman” and “The Lords of Discipline.” Keith, who is a member of First United Methodist Church in Knoxville, Tenn., and Grier Weeks, executive director of Promise to Protect, made a presentation soliciting support of their work against child pornography and sexual abuse of children. The directors voted to endorse their efforts.

Directors also decorated a tent that will be set up Nov. 7 to 9 on the National Mall as part of the “Tents of Hope.” Communities across the United States and abroad have been invited to transform refugee tents into unique works of art that express compassion and desire for peace for the people of Darfur, Sudan.

3 streams of social concerns
In reporting to the board after his reelection, Winkler said that the agency embodies three important streams of United Methodist social concerns. He said one stream is represented by what was once known as the Board of Temperance, Prohibition, and Public Morals. The second is insistence on a better life for working people stated in the 1908 Social Creed of the denomination, and the third is world peace.

“Over time, our consciousness has been raised on many other important matters including health care, civil and human rights, and economic and environmental justice,” Winkler said. “In fact, over the past half century, the world has been transformed by great moral and spiritual movements for equal rights for women, for environmental and economic justice, for an end to the nuclear arms race, apartheid and the Vietnam War, for civil and human rights for all people.

“Often, the church has had to be dragged kicking and screaming to the table, but today we are one of the pillars of these movements, as we should be.”

Winkler emphasized that GBCS’s ministries are biblically based. He also said that the agency is committed to the four focus areas recently approved by the United Methodist General Conference, the denomination’s highest policy-making body. “We offer expertise in the areas of global health, ministry with the poor, and leadership development,” he stated. “And, we stand ready to assist the agencies and annual conferences involved in new church starts to ensure United Methodist faith communities are scripturally grounded and committed to the Social Principles.”

Winkler said he believes that “at its best” GBCS serves to help the church understand the interconnectedness of God’s creation.

“We work hard to help our people join justice and mercy together in their own lives, congregations, and communities,” Winkler said. “United Methodists are excellent at feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, and clothing the naked. Freeing the oppressed, confronting the systems that perpetuate hunger, racism, violence and poverty is always the hard part. In many ways, that’s where GBCS comes in.”

The least and the lost
At the closing commissioning service, Bishop Kiesey declared that she is proud “The United Methodist Church has a board such as GBCS to speak for those who have no voice, to always keep before us the needs of the least and the lost.” The Christian mandate to care for these people is “absolutely clear, without a doubt,” she said in describing the directors’ and the board’s call.

“The challenge to our church is to accept the least and the lost of the world,” Bishop Kiesey said at the commissioning service, “not only accept but seek them out and embrace them and welcome them in.

“Our commission on this board is to broaden that circle and offer the Good News to the entire world, but especially to the weak, so no one has to ask again, ‘What prevents me from following Christ?’”

GBCS is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. The board’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education and Leadership Formation, United Nations and International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center at the United Nations in New York City.

Leader’s Guide to the October 31, 2008 edition of THE REVIEW
A special edition on United Methodist response to the Refugee/Immigration Crisis
By Elizabeth Shadbolt, Refugee and Immigrant Ministries Coordinator, Mercy, Mission, and Justice Ministries of the Tennessee Annual Conference

Who is a Refugee?
A refugee is a person who, “owing to a well-founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion, is outside the country of his nationality, and is unable to, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself of the protection of that country.” (Defined at the 1951 United Nations Convention on Refugees)

Who is an Immigrant?
In contrast to a refugee, an immigrant makes the decision to come to the U.S. themselves. The word "immigrant" refers to someone who is making a permanent move, not someone visiting for a short time or coming to attend school. While our government provides several paths for immigration, the quotas are very small and the wait for status is very long. Those who come without going through these processes are considered "undocumented immigrants." While there are people in the world who suffer persecutions like refugees, many have not been given that designation by the UN and some immigrate on their own. Also, economic conditions (which are not part of the definition of a refugee) force many to search for ways to support their families, regardless of international boundaries.

LEARN
+As you read this month’s Review, take time to identify information that is new or surprising to you. Take time to read the entire text of the Immigration Petition brought before General Conference in 2008. In what ways does our church’s stance on welcoming the newcomer conflict with the rhetoric of our culture? List Biblical references used to support the petition. Part of the petition is included in the printed and web versions of THE REVIEW. Most of the remainder of the petition is attached with this leader’s guide.

+Visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website to learn more about immigration to the US: http://www.uscis.gov/. Is the site easy to use? Can you find answers to your questions?

+Visit church-based sites to see how our denomination is responding to the needs of immigrants and refugees: UMCOR http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/work/immigration/; Church World Service http://www.churchworldservice.org/; Justice for Our Neighbors http://gbgm-umc.org/umcor/refugees/justiceforourneighbors.cfm

+Read “Commentary: Stop the cruelty of immigration raids” to learn how raids are affecting our communities. Article is attached to end of this guide.

+Listen to Issue One - an audio/radio program from United Methodist Audio News / The United Methodist News Service, “White Privilege in America.” How does the idea of white privilege affect the way we view immigrants and refugees? This audio program will not be available until after the first of the year but watch for its release -- it will provide great material for discussion.

+Discuss the content of the article “Top 5 immigration Myths of this campaign season” – research done by the American Immigration Lawyers Association. What we hear over the air and read in publications is not always fact – even when it is treated as fact. This article is attached to the end of this leader’s guide.


THINK
+Using the article “Why the Church Cares about Immigrants,” follow the stories of the itinerant characters Rev. Childers identifies – Abraham, Ruth, Mary, Joseph, Jesus, the disciples, Paul, Silas, Barnabas, and others you identify. Read their stories and comment on whether they find welcome or rejection outside their homelands. How do they respond? Identify scriptural calls to welcome the stranger.

+Share with your group stories of immigration. Allow each member to share what they know about their own family’s story of coming to this country.

+Read together Miguel Carpizo’s story, “Breaking the walls of illegality.” Discuss his thoughts on building bridges between cultures and people. Share ways you see your church breaking walls and building bridges, especially with those in your local community. Many of us don’t live in the neighborhoods where our churches are located. Find ways to meet those living near your church and brainstorm ways to build community, the way Miguel has. For more inspiration, read “the Golden Triangle Fellowship and Belmont UMC” to see a successful model.

ACT
+Implement an idea for community building in your congregation. If there are newcomers in your area, find ways to welcome them to your church community.
+Volunteer with Justice for Our Neighbors. Call 832-1945 and leave your contact information. There is a clinic once per month and volunteers are always needed.
+Volunteer with a local ESL class and meet your English-learning neighbors. Article about Tennessee Conference Churches with ESL classes is attached to this leader’s guide.
+Volunteer with Catholic Charities (760-2790) or World Relief (833-7735) refugee resettlement agencies. Even if you can’t sponsor a family, they always need drivers, tutors, and friends.
+Keep up with immigration news in the paper and on TV. Take note of inflammatory rhetoric and check the facts with a trusted source. Let the media know when you feel that immigrants are portrayed in a negative light.
+Contact your congressional representatives on immigration legislation and issues. Let them know that people of faith care about their immigrant neighbors. Article “Putting Faith into Action in Washington” is attached to this leader’s guide
+Initiate a bible study or other small group conversation on immigration in your church. There are many resources available, including printed material and speakers.

Additional Resources for discussion
1. Area congregations host English Language learners
2. Putting Faith into Action in Washington
3. Commentary: Stop the cruelty of immigration raids
4. Remaining sections of the Immigration Petition brought before the 2009 General Conference of the United Methodist Church – part of the original document can be found in the October 31, 2008 issue of THE REVIEW. Call for action by the United Methodist Church.
5. Top 5 immigration Myths of this campaign season – research done by the American Immigration Lawyers Association.


Area Congregations Host English Language Learners
One of the most direct ways in which local congregations welcome newcomers to our country is by hosting English as a Second Language, or ESL, classes. Throughout our conferences, many churches are active in this ministry. In opening doors, literally, and inviting immigrants into our places of worship, we open other doors both with increased job opportunities and connectional relationships.

If your congregation has caught the “mission-trip bug,” volunteering with ESL presents a wonderful opportunity. Many classes host students from many countries and at multiple skill levels. Some students are interested in language exchange and can help missioners with their target language and with important vocabulary. If your youth are hoping to head to Guatemala, for instance, volunteer hours with ESL students. Intercultural skills take time and practice to attain. And, since many ESL teachers are dealing with students at varying skill levels, a volunteer who can do one-on-one work is invaluable.

Below is a partial listing of area UM churches which offer ESL classes. If you need more information on classes being held in your area, please contact Elizabeth Shadbolt lizshadbolt@bellsouth.net or phone, 615/834-1331.

Belmont UMC (at the corner of Acklen & 21st Ave in Hillsboro Village) has an active ESL program. For more information, please contact either Mary Jane Duke 377-3138 or Mary Kaye Jordan 833-0685 who are both ESL teachers and Belmont members.

Brentwood United Methodist started an ESL program on June 16th that launched a new Hispanic Ministry. Rev. Mack Strange is the staff person heading these efforts. For more information you may contact Ann Meece at 615-324-8207 or ameece@bumc.net

Cannon UMC, Shelbyville, offers weekly ESL classes as part of their Hispanic Ministry. Pastor Enrique Hernandez is the contact person at 931-389-9213

Crievewood United Methodist hosts classes for refugees through Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) Adult Education Department. To enroll, please contact Karlene Polk at Karlene_polk@yahoo.com. For more information on Crievewood’s outreach ESL program, please contact Linda R. Whited 615-749-6414 (day)

Donelson Heights United Methodist is a Pencil Partners with three schools their area and discerned that an ESL class would help local families. Class is offered one night a week (Tuesdays) to parents and child care is provided. Currently, the class is only for parents of McGavock Elementary students but there are hopes for expanding it. Dr. Kay Gray is the contact person at 883-6103.

Hillcrest United Methodist in South Nashville has active programs for refugees and Hispanic immigrants. Contact Barbara Garcia, Associate Pastor, for details at 832-0157. Hillcrest also hosts and provides transportation to ESL classes for refugees who must register through their resettlement agency and Metro Nashville Public with Karlene Polk (Karlene_Polk@yahoo.com)

Lawrenceburg First UMC, Pulaski District, does not have an ESL program but it offers free babysitters for parents who are taking the ESL class at a local college. Beverly Duke is the contact 931-762-3696.

Murfreesboro First United Methodist proudly celebrated the completion of their ESL course by 40 students last spring. Classes there continue in both English and Spanish. Contact Carlos Uroza at 893-1322 or curoza@1stmethmboro.com.

Murfreesboro St. Mark, UMC offers weekly Spanish classes as part of their Hispanic Ministry. Rev. Martha Hicks Touchton is the contact person.

West Nashville UMC holds ESL Classes at Cockrill Elementary through their Community Ministries program. Call Sherry Woolsey at 297-3216 for more information.

Winchester UMC offers weekly Spanish classes as part of their Hispanic Ministry. Pastor Enrique Hernandez is the contact person, 931-389-9213


Putting Faith into Action in Washington
As people of faith, it is important that we let our elected officials know our feelings on issues affecting our refugee and immigrant neighbors. While it can be daunting to call a representatives office, it is very important that Christian voices are speaking out! Each congressional and senate office keeps track of how constituents feel and they only know if we call. It takes only a moment to call the local office, tell them that you are a person of faith, and that you support comprehensive immigration reform. The General Board of Church and Society has issued a statement explaining their stance on immigration reform:

“A comprehensive approach to immigration reform seeks to understand why immigrants have come to the United States and recognizes the tremendous contributions they have given and will continue to give. Enforcement-only approaches to immigration reform are limited in their scope and take into account only the “breaking of the law” through illegally crossing the border. The enforcement-only approach does not seek to understand the context of why so many have crossed the U.S. northern and southern borders illegally. The General Board of Church and Society does not advocate for “open borders” or for “amnesty,” but rather, for a comprehensive approach that protects the rights of workers, reunifies families separated by long waits in the current immigration process, and for an earned pathway to citizenship for those who wish to remain in this country.”

Below are a few bills being considered (as of October 1) that are of specific interest to our conference. When you contact your representative, let them know that you encourage their support of these bills on your behalf.

S.3594 The Protect Citizens and Residents from Unlawful Raids and Detention Act
Introduced by Senator Menendez (D-NJ), this bill would establish and oversee minimum standards of treatment for immigrants during raids and detention, including access to due process and medical treatment and protections for children and families. It would also establish “alternatives to detention” programs, such as parole and community-based supervision and monitoring and require DHS to contract with available NGOs (non-governmental organizations) to screen eligible participants and provide services and information. The bill calls for vulnerable populations to be considered for release following immigration raids, as well as mandate the DHS report on and investigate complaints related to the harmful impact of such enforcement practices on U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and immigrant communities.

H.R. 213 Child Citizen Protection Act
Introduced by Rep. Serrano (D-NY), this bill grants discretion to a judge as to whether or not the undocumented parents of a U.S. citizen child should or should not be deported, which would help many families being torn apart by recent raids and deportations.

S. 3514 Reunitining Families Act
Introduced by Senator Menendez (D-NJ), this bill would allow more spouses, parents, and children of Legal Permanent Residents (“green card” holders) to enter; recapture unused visas; improve country limits; and improve family unity overall.

H.R. 6496, S. 3541 Iraqi Refugee and IDP (Internally Displaced Persons) Humanitarian Assistance, Resettlement, and Security Act
Introduced by Rep. Hastings (D-FL) and Senator Clinton (D-NY), this bill urges the US to take leadership and develop a comprehensive plan to respond to the humanitarian crisis in Iraq. If passed, it would fund UNHCR at 50% of its asking for operations in and around Iraq. The bill would also fund NGOs operating in the region and mandate that 20,000 Iraqi refugees be resettled in the U.S. between 2009 and 2011 above and beyond the annual target for refugee admissions.

Among the bills actively opposed by organizations such as Church World Service is the S.A.V.E. act. Please let your representatives know that you also oppose this bill:

H.R. 4088 Secure America through Verification and Enforcement Act (SAVE)
Introduced by Rep. Schuler (D-NC) and Rep Bilbray (R-CA), it would militarize and build a fence across the southern border of the US, mandate that local law enforcement officials enforce federal immigration law, force 7 million employers to utilize a flawed workplace verification system (E-Verify), and calls for increased deportations and detention space.

Senators

Lamar Alexander, Nashville Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 120, Nashville, TN 37203. Phone (615) 736-5129, Fax (615) 269-4803.
Bob Corker, Nashville Office, 3322 West End Avenue, Suite 610, Nashville, TN 37203. Phone (615) 279-8125, Fax (615) 279-9488.

Congressional Representatives

Our conference contains five different congressional districts. For a map of congressional districts, please go to http://nationalatlas.gov/printable/congress.html#tn

Lincoln Davis, 4th (parts of Columbia, Cookeville, and Murfreesboro districts) Columbia Office, 1804 Carmack Blvd. Suite A, Columbia, TN 38401. Phone: 931.490.8699, Fax: 931.490.8675.McMinnville Office, 477 North Chancery St. Suite A-1, McMinnville, TN 37110. Phone: 931.473.7251, Fax: 931.473.7259
Jamestown Office, 629 North Main Street , Jamestown, TN 38556. Phone: 931.879.2361, Fax: 931.879.2389

Jim Cooper, 5th (Nashville and part of Clarksville and Cumberland districts), 605 Church Street, Nashville, TN 37219. Phone: 615-736-5295, Fax: 615-736-7479

Bart Gordon, 6th (parts of Columbia, Cookeville, Cumberland, and Murfreesboro districts)
Murfreesboro Office, 305 West Main Street , Murfreesboro, TN 37130 . Phone: (615) 896-1986
Cookeville District Office, 15 South Jefferson Street , Cookeville, TN 38501. Phone: (931) 528-5907
Gallatin District Office, 100 Public Square, Room B-100 , Gallatin, TN 37066. Phone: (615) 451-5174

Marsha Blackburn, 7th (parts of Clarksville, Columbia, and Pulaski districts)
Franklin Office, City Hall Mall, 109 3rd Avenue South, Suite 117 , Franklin, TN 37064. Phone: 615-591-5161, Fax: 615-599-2916.
Clarksville Office, 1850 Memorial Dr., Clarksville, TN 37043. Phone: 931-503-0391, Fax: 931-503-0393.

John Tanner, 8th (parts of Clarksville district)
Jackson Office, Room B-7, Federal Building, Jackson, TN 38301. Phone: (731) 423-4848, Fax: (731) 427-1537.


Commentary: Stop the cruelty of immigration raids

By United Methodist News Service*
A UMNS Commentary By the Rev. Eliezér Valentín Castañon*

Children demonstrate for comprehensive U.S. immigration reform during a 2006 rally in Washington. A UMNS file photo by Rick Reinhard.

When news about the recent immigration enforcement raid in Greenville, South Carolina, came across my desk, I knew The United Methodist Church could not remain silent. Not only were innocent, hard-working people detained in this raid, but a number are members of one of our United Methodist missions in Greenville.

We join our voices with the thousands of people and organizations who have expressed dismay and disbelief that these cruel raids-wreaking havoc and terror also in Iowa, Mississippi and other states-would be perpetrated on hapless workers and their families, both documented and undocumented, who merely seek to earn a decent living.

Eliezér Valentín Castañon

Certainly the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency are within their purview. However, the attacks on this defenseless population are attacks on members of our communities who are contributing to society in ways many American don't appreciate. It is reprehensible and immoral.

Both the immigrant families and the communities where they work and reside will suffer severe consequences in the long term from these raids, demonstrating a loss of our values and sensibility. When our government's actions make innocent children parentless and homeless, when relatives young and old suddenly must wrestle with fear, confusion and despair, we cannot be silent and apathetic.

If our family and community values are to hold true, our government must stop these raids that are only creating desperation across the United States. We must speak out and organize against these senseless, abusive, oppressive acts.

It is time for the United States to live up to its creed, embodying the self-evident truth that all men and women are created equal and endowed by their creator with certain "inalienable rights," among them "life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness." Undocumented immigrants are human beings, too. They feel pain and suffer like the rest of us. It is time for us to affirm their humanity and dignity in the way we treat them.

At the 2008 United Methodist General Conference, the only body that speaks in behalf of the entire denomination, our church condemned these raids and affirmed "the worth, dignity and inherent value and rights of every person regardless of their nationality or legal status." Our church called for the U.S. government "to immediately cease all arrests, detainment and deportations of undocumented immigrants, including children, solely based upon their immigration status until a fair and comprehensive immigration reform bill is passed." (Petition #80637: Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S.) (http://calms.umc.org/2008/Text.aspx?mode=Majority&Number=732)

We must pray and insist that this madness stops before we inflict more tragic harm to our brothers and sisters who, like us all, are made in the image of a loving God.

*Castañon is associate general secretary, United Methodist Commission on Religion and Race.

Remaining sections of the Immigration Petition brought before the 2009 General Conference of the United Methodist Church
The introduction of the Petition and the New Testament Biblical and Theological Context are included in the October 31, 2009 REVIEW. That material plus the remainder of the Immigration Petition offers rich opportunities for discussion.

The fear and anguish so many migrants in the United States live under are due to federal raids, indefinite detention, and deportations which tear apart families and create an atmosphere of panic. Millions of immigrants are denied legal entry to the U.S. due to quotas and race and class barriers, even as employers seek their labor. U.S. policies, as well as economic and political conditions in their home countries, often force migrants to leave their homes. With the legal avenues closed, immigrants who come in order to support their families must live in the shadows and in intense exploitation and fear. In the face of these unjust laws and the systematic deportation of migrants instituted by the Department of Homeland Security, God’s people must stand in solidarity with the migrants in our midst.

In Scripture, sojourners are also identified as heralds or messengers bringing good news. This is seen in many stories of the Bible, including:

 Abraham who welcomed three visitors and then was promised a child even though Sarah was past the age of bearing children (Genesis 18:-11),

 Rahab who hid the spies from Israel and whose family was ultimately spared (Joshua 2:1-16),

 the widow at Zarephath who gave Elijah her last meal and received food and ultimately healing for her dying son (1 Kings 17:7-24), and

 Zaccheus who, upon welcoming Jesus into his home, promised to share half his possessions with the poor and repay those he stole from four times the amount owed. As Jesus entered Zaccheus’ home he proclaimed that salvation had come to his house (Luke 19:1-10).

All of these stories give evidence to the words of the writer of Hebrews who advises the listeners to “not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it” (13:2).

God’s people are called to welcome the sojourner not only because of God’s commands to do so, but because God’s people need to hear the good news of the gospel incarnated in their stories and in their lives. Welcoming the sojourner is so vital to the expression of Christian faith that to engage in this form of hospitality is to participate in our own salvation.

The Current Context
Immigration to the United States has changed in the last twenty years largely because the world has changed. Globalization has lessened the geographical distance between the poor and affluent, but yet, it has also greatly exacerbated the chasm between those with access to resources and those denied that same access. Vast inequities between the global north and south are a continuing source of conflict and a draw of resources and people from the south to north. Globalization has localized issues which used to be hidden or detached by geographical boundaries, but has not created forms of accountability or mediated the necessity of cross-cultural reconciliation between those victimized by international economic policies and those who benefit from them. Global media enable the poor of the global south to see the lifestyles of the affluent in the global north, while rarely seeing the intense poverty that also exists there. This creates both tensions and a draw to attain that same lifestyle.

Although unregulated trade and investment have economically benefited some, many more have been sentenced to a lifetime of poverty and marginalization. In poorer countries natural resources have been removed by transnational corporations which have no stake in the continuing welfare of the local people, the enhancement of their cultural traditions, or their ecological environment. The lack of these resources often leads to a drastic reduction in jobs, wages, and labor protections. Public social benefits are eliminated and the nation sinks deeper into debt as it turns to such institutions as the World Bank and International Monetary Fund. As the affluent North continues to expand its wealth, this expansion occurs at the expense of the impoverished South. Every region in the world is affected in some way by the global economic divide. Yet, while money and products easily flow across borders, the movement of people who have been forced to migrate because of intolerable economic conditions is increasingly restricted.

When those, whose livelihoods have been eradicated in favor of corporate globalization, attempt to sojourn to North America to work and provide for their families, they receive a mixed message that is confusing and ultimately oppressive. Immigrants have moved into areas of the United States where there are economic opportunities that U.S. citizens have largely ignored. Employers often prefer undocumented workers in order to increase profit margins. Until all jobs provide a livable wage employers will be able to pit U.S. citizens against undocumented workers in a downward spiral that undermines the labor rights for all.

Because the U.S. immigration system has not kept up with the changing pace of immigration and the U.S. economy, the population of undocumented immigrants has grown dramatically. Yet, the growing population of undocumented immigrants has not yet been harmful to most U.S. workers because they are not competing for the same jobs. While the United States labor force is growing older and more educated, the need for unskilled workers remains strong. The Migration Policy Institute reports that the economic necessities for repairing the immigration system are clear as they predict by 2030, immigrant workers will comprise between one-third and one-half of the U.S. labor force. Testifying before the Senate Committee on Aging in 2003, then-Chairman of the Federal Reserve Board, Alan Greenspan, called for increased immigrationof migrants to sustain an aging labor force and a continued economic vacuum among low-skilled workers.

Although the economic necessity of migrant workers is clear, any immigration or economic system which calls for a perpetual class of second class workers cannot be supported by people of faith. ImmUndocumented immigrants are exploited for their labor and economic contribution to the United States. They are denied their rights to collectively bargain for livable wages and safe working conditions, and they are shut out of access to the social services of which they support through their difficult labor. Any reform of the immigration system must also allow for the full protections of all workers which includes the opportunity to gain legal status for all migrants.

Even though migrants have proven a tremendous benefit to the United States’ economy, migrants have been systematically excluded from receiving any benefits.imaccess to health care promotes an increase in the demand on emergency rooms to provide that daily care or it forces migrants who are fearful to seek medical care to live in continued pain and suffering. The United States benefits from migrant labor, but migrants have been forced to live in the shadows, unable to fully contribute or receive appropriate care.

Immigration: A Human Rights Issue
Since 9/11 the debate surrounding immigration has unfortunately been framed as an issue of national security. All of this emphasis on border security has not stemmed the flow of undocumented migration even though the United States has poured millions of dollars into militarizing the border.

The use of local law enforcement as immigration agents should be stopped as well. When local law enforcement officials engage in immigration enforcement, immigrants are often unwilling to report crimes and are forced to live in situations where they are exploited, abused, and victimized.

All nations have the right to secure their borders, but the primary concern for Christians should be the welfare of immigrants. Between 1995 and 2004 more than 2,640 migrants have died crossing the border between the United States and Mexico, and since 2004 more than one migrant has died per day.

IMRaids of workplaces, homes and other social places have often violated the civil liberties of migrants. Migrants should be given due process and access to adequate legal representation. Due to these raids and the ensuing indefinite detentions and deportations that follow them, families have been ripped apart and the immigrant community has been forced to live in a constant state of fear.

To refuse to welcome migrants to this country and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the immigrant community in the United States is demonized by members of Congress and the media, is complicity to sin.

A Call to Action
The United Methodist Church affirms the worth, dignity and inherent value and rights of every person regardless of their nationality or legal status. United Methodist churches throughout the United States are urged to build bridges with immigrants in their local communities, to learn from them, celebrate their presence in the United States and recognize and appreciate the contributions in all areas of life that immigrants bring. We call upon all United Methodist churches to engage in the following:

 Advocate for legislation that will uphold the civil and human rights of all migrants in the United States and provide an opportunity to attain legal status for all undocumented migrants for those currently in the United States as well as for those arriving in the future.

 Begin English as a Second Language classes as a part of ministry to migrant communities and advocate for federal and state support of expanded ESL classes.

 Denounce and oppose the rise of xenophobic, racist, and violent reactions against migrants in the United States, and to support all efforts to build relationships between people, instead of building walls, between diverse ethnicities and cultures.

 Oppose the building of a wall between the United States and Mexico, which the communities of both sides of the border are in opposition to.

 Call the United States government to immediately cease all arrests, detainment, and deportations of undocumented immigrants, including children, solely based upon their immigration status until a fair and comprehensive immigration reform is passed.

 Provide wherever possible pastoral care and crisis intervention to refugees and newly arrived migrants, identifying and responding compassionately to their spiritual, material, and legal needs.

 Work with civic and legal organizations to support migrant communities affected by harsh immigration laws and over-reaching national security measures.

 Support those churches that prayerfully choose to offer sanctuary to undocumented immigrants facing deportation.

 Continue the work of the Immigration Task Force composed of staff from the general boards and agencies, representatives of the Council of Bishops, and members of caucuses and national plans that was created by the resolution, Opposition to the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigration Resolution Act(2004 Book of Resolutions, #118).

Further, The United Methodist Church is urged to advocate for the comprehensive reform of the U.S. immigration system. Any legislation to reform the U.S. immigration system must affirm the worth, dignity and inherent value and rights of migrants, and must also include:

 An opportunity for legal status for all undocumented migrants. Any pathway created for undocumented migrants should have minimal obstacles and those requirements should not be designed to preclude migrants from eligibility for legalization.

 Clearing the backlogs and reunifying families separated by migration or detainment.

 An increase in the number of visas for short-term workers to come into the United States to work in a safe, legal, and orderly way. Opportunities for legalization should be available for those who wish to remain permanently.

 The protections of all workers who come to stay for a certain period of time as well as for those who stay permanently. The right to bargain for higher wages, to protest against poor working conditions, and to preserve their human rights should be maintained by all workers, documented and undocumented alike.

 Elimination of privately-operated detention centers, which are not regulated by the federal or state governments.

 Elimination of indefinite detention, incarceration of children, and the expanding prison population, which also benefits privately-owned detention centers and prisons.

 Preservation of due process and access to courts and to adequate legal representation for all migrants regardless of legal status.


Top 5 Immigration Myths of this campaign season
Ending the Immigration Spin - Just the Facts. Material from the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Immigration has already figured prominently in the Presidential primary campaigns and the issue is unlikely to fade from the limelight any time soon. Debates over immigration policy have always generated strong emotional reactions, but the intensity surrounding the current national debate has reached new levels. The rhetoric by some of the Presidential candidates and their supporters has moved from hyperbole to unbridled misrepresentation.

The American public is justifiably angry about undocumented immigration and the Federal government’s failure to gain control over our borders. But if we ever hope to adopt a practical policy solution that restores the rule of law and advances the interests of our nation, we must untangle fact from fiction. Perpetuating myths and exploiting fears to drive policy are two sure-fire ways to make a bad situation worse.

As the campaign season rolls onward and the intensity of the debate escalates, five
recurring myths must be dispelled to clear the way for honest dialogue.

MYTH #1: Enforcement-only policies are a practical solution to the problem of
undocumented immigration.
FACTS: Policies geared only towards “sealing the border” or deporting the
undocumented without reforming the immigration system and providing a path to legal
status for undocumented immigrants already in the country would cost the nation hundreds
of billions of dollars and have a devastating impact on vast swaths of the U.S. economy.

􀂾 A 2005 study from the Center for American Progress (CAP) estimates that it would cost between $206 billion and $230 billion over five years to deport all undocumented
immigrants from the United States. Moreover, in a 2006 study, CAP calculates that
removing all undocumented immigrants from the U.S. labor force would result in a
shortfall of nearly 2.5 million less-skilled workers.

􀂾 As a 2006 report from the Pew Hispanic Center notes, there were 14.6 million people in families headed by undocumented immigrants as of March 2005, including 3.1 million U.S.-citizen children and 1.8 million undocumented children, as well as adult family
members who are legally present in the United States. Attempting to deport all undocumented immigrants would therefore disrupt entire families and communities and decimate industries that depend heavily on immigrant workers, both legal and undocumented.

􀂾 The Pew report also estimates that the 7.2 million workers among the 11.5 undocumented immigrants in the United States as of March 2005—while accounting for 4.9 percent of the labor force as a whole—comprised 24 percent of all workers in farming, fishing, and forestry; 17 percent in building and grounds cleaning and maintenance; 14 percent in construction; 12 percent in food preparation and serving; and 9 percent in production occupations. Mass deportations therefore would have a devastating effect on numerous industries, particularly given the small and shrinking number of younger native-born workers available to fill these kinds of less-skilled jobs.

MYTH #2: Immigrant workers suppress the wages of American workers.
FACTS: The overwhelming majority of economists agree that immigrants increase the
economic productivity and thus the wages of natives.

􀂾 A 2006 study by University of California, Davis, economist Giovanni Peri found that because immigrant workers generally “complement”—rather than substitute for—native
workers in terms of their education and skills, immigration tends to increase the
productivity, and therefore the wages, of natives.

􀂾 As a result of this “complementarity,” the White House Council of Economic Advisers concluded in a 2007 report that roughly 90 percent of native-born workers experience wage gains from immigration, which total between $30 billion and $80 billion per year.

MYTH #3: The nation spends billions of dollars on welfare for undocumented
immigrants.
FACTS: To the contrary, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive any “welfare” benefits and even legal immigrants are severely restricted in the benefits they can receive.

􀂾 As the Congressional Research Service points out in a 2007 report, undocumented immigrants, who comprise nearly one-third of all immigrants in the country, are not eligible to receive public “welfare” benefits—ever. Legal permanent residents (LPRs) must pay into the Social Security and Medicare systems for approximately 10 years before they are eligible to receive benefits when they retire. In most cases, LPRs can not receive SSI, which is available only to U.S. citizens, and are not eligible for meanstested public benefits until 5 years after receiving their green cards.

􀂾 A 2007 analysis of welfare data by researchers at the Urban Institute reveals that less than 1 percent of households headed by undocumented immigrants receive cash assistance for needy families, compared to 5 percent of households headed by nativeborn U.S. citizens.

A 2007 analysis of U.S. Census data by the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities makes clear that it is the U.S.-born, U.S.-citizen children of undocumented immigrants who are eligible for programs such as Medicaid and the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP). The analysis found that, between 1995 and 2005, the share of low-income, noncitizen immigrant children (either undocumented or legally present) who received Medicaid or SCHIP dropped from 36 percent to 30 percent. In comparison, there were increases in the Medicaid or SCHIP participation of low-income citizen children, whether they lived in immigrant-headed households or households headed by native-born citizens (rising from 45-47 percent in 1995 to 53-54 percent in 2005)

MYTH #4: Undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than
native-born citizens.
FACTS: This is a frequently repeated claim, but the exact opposite is true: both
undocumented and legal immigrants are significantly less likely to commit crimes than U.S.
citizens.

􀂾 According to a 2007 study by University of California, Irvine, sociologist Rubén G. Rumbaut, among men age 18-39 (who comprise the vast majority of the U.S. prison population), the incarceration rate for the native-born (3.5 percent) was five times higher than the rate for immigrants (0.7 percent) in 2000.

􀂾 The study also found that incarceration rates were lower for immigrants from Mexico, El Salvador, and Guatemala—who account for the majority of undocumented immigrants.In 2000, only 0.7 percent of foreign-born Mexican men and 0.5 percent of foreign-born Salvadoran and Guatemalan men were in prison.

􀂾 A 2005 study by economists Kristin F. Butcher and Anne Morrison Piehl, released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, concluded that lower incarceration rates among
immigrants are not the result of deportation or the threat of deportation. Rather,
immigrants are a “self-selected” group with “low criminal propensities.”

MYTH #5: Immigrants don’t “assimilate” into U.S. society.
FACTS: Immigrants learn English and climb the socioeconomic ladder over time, and
their children and grandchildren make even greater strides.

􀂾 A comprehensive 2007 study released by the Russell Sage Foundation found that:

• Among Latino immigrants who arrived in California between 1960 and 1970, the poverty rate declined from 23.9 percent in 1970 to 16.8 percent in 1980 and 12.6 percent in 1990.

• Latino immigrants in California exhibit exceptionally large gains in homeownership—a key indicator of entry into the middle class. Homeownership rose from 16.4 percent of Latino immigrant householders in California who arrived in the U.S. in the last 10 years to 64.6 percent among those who have lived here for 30 years or more.

• Latino immigrants who arrived in the 1970s in California had a 16.3 percent homeownership rate in 1980, which rose to 33.6 percent in 1990, and then climbed to 51.9 percent in 2000.

􀂾 A 2007 study by the Pew Hispanic Center found that among “adult first generation Latinos, just 23% say they can carry on a conversation in English very well. That share rises sharply, to 88%, among the second generation of adults, and to 94% among the third and higher generations.”

􀂾 According to a 2003 study from the RAND Corporation, “2nd and 3rd-generation Hispanic men have made great strides in closing their economic gaps with native whites. The reason is simple: each successive generation has been able to close the schooling gap with native whites which then has been translated into generational progress in incomes.

AILA National Office, 918 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 2004
Phone (202) 216-2400, Fax (202) 783-7853; Web: http://www.aila.org/

"Families and Food Security"--Family Re-Union 2008 @ the Nashville Public Library, Wednesday, October 29th from 9:00 a.m. to 3:15 p.m.

Save the Date! Please join us for Family Re-Union Fourteen: Families and Food Security as community residents, business leaders and policymakers seek solutions to the growing challenges of providing access to healthy, affordable food to all Middle Tennesseans.

LISTEN

* To Keynote Speaker Makani Themba-Nixon, Director of the Praxis Project in Washington, DC, an expert on race, media, policy advocacy and public health, speak on the issues of health equity and justice, and
* To Rochelle Davis, Founding Director of the Healthy Schools Campaign in Chicago, speak about the ways in which Middle Tennesseans can promote healthier school food environments.

LEARN

* How you can use media and policy advocacy efforts to bolster support for food security and food access in Middle Tennessee, and
* How you can engage in local, state and national-level advocacy to improve Middle Tennessee's school food environments.

LEAD

* By engaging in breakout sessions that will create action plans for policy changes that promote increased healthy food access in the communities, neighborhoods and schools of Middle Tennessee.

To find out additional information or to register click on the following addess: http://www.familyreunion.org/FR_14/2008Conference.html

A UMNS Commentary by J. Richard Peck*: John Wesley's advice on the economy

J. Richard Peck

The year was 1772 as John Wesley addressed a letter to the editor of Lloyd's Evening Post regarding the causes of and cures for high unemployment, food shortages and dismal economic conditions.

More than two centuries later, the United States is struggling with a meltdown on Wall Street, skyrocketing gas prices and inadequate health care. But our diminished economy would scarcely rival that of England in 1772.

Wesley, who was 69 at the time, starts by asking why. "Why are thousands of people starving--perishing for want, in every part of England?”

The founder of the Methodist movement then describes the London situation: "I have known those who could only afford to eat a little coarse food every other day. I have known one picking up stinking sprats from a dunghill, and carrying them home for herself and her children. I have known another gathering the bones, which the dogs had left in the streets, and making broth of them, to prolong a wretched life."

Examining the causes
Wesley blamed several English practices for the impoverished state of the nation:

1. The wasteful use of grain to produce alcohol. "Have we not reason to believe that half of the wheat produced in the kingdom is every year consumed, not by so harmless a way as throwing it into the sea, but by converting it into deadly poison-poison that naturally destroys, not only the strength and life, but also the morals of our countrymen."

2. Wealthy people who need horses for sport, pleasure and export. "Most of the considerable farmers, particularly in the northern counties, who used to breed large numbers of sheep or horned cattle, and frequently both, no longer trouble themselves with either sheep, or cows, or oxen; as they can turn their land to far better account, by breeding horses alone. Such is the demand, not only for coach and chaise horses, which are bought and destroyed in incredible numbers; but much more for bred horses, which are yearly exported by hundreds, yea thousands, to France."

3. Unproductive large farms had replaced small family farms, causing a shortage of poultry, pork and eggs. "Every one of these little farmers kept a few swine, with some quantity of poultry; and, having little money, was glad to send his bacon, or pork, or fowls and eggs, to market continually. Hence, the markets were plentifully served, and plenty created cheapness; but, at present, the great, the gentlemen farmers, are above attending to these little things. They breed no poultry or swine, unless for their own use; consequently they send none to market."

4. High taxes. "Enormous taxes are laid on almost everything that can be named. Not only abundant taxes are raised from earth, and fire, and water; but, in England, the ingenious statesmen have found a way to tax light. Only one element--air-- remains, and surely some man of honor will contrive to tax this also. For how long shall the saucy air blow in the face of a gentleman, nay, a lord, without paying for it?"

5. The national debt. "Taxes are high because of the national debt. I have heard that the national expense, in the time of peace, was, sixty years ago, three million a year. Now the bare interest of the public debt amounts to above four million. To raise which, with the other expenses of government, those taxes are absolutely necessary."

Identifying cures
John Wesley believed that most of the economic problems of the day were caused by a growing disparity between the rich and the poor.

Wesley felt the cure was to repress "luxury, either by example, by laws, or both." He asked legislators to establish laws that would prohibit the distillation of alcohol. While he lamented high taxes upon the poor and middle class, he called for additional taxes on luxury items such as horses and carriages. He suggested people be taxed on what they purchased rather than upon what they earned.

He also expressed concern about future generations and called for a reduction of the national debt.

In short, Wesley called for higher taxes upon the wealthy and laws that would prohibit the wasting of natural products.

While Wesley did not tell the readers of Lloyd's Evening Post about his personal actions, he organized groups of Methodists to visit the London workhouses where poor people were housed and employed. The groups also provided worship services for the inmates, most of whom were children and elderly persons.

Lessons learned
Contemporary application of Wesley's advice would suggest that the U.S. Congress should reduce taxes on the poor and middle class, add taxes to luxury items, eliminate taxes upon necessities, introduce laws that govern the use of natural resources, and take steps to reduce the $10 trillion national debt-a debt that has increased by 71.9 percent over the last eight years.

A record 28 million Americans are now receiving food stamps.

While he did not write about his personal actions, John Wesley's life serves as an example to United Methodists about our personal obligation to care for poor and vulnerable persons through a variety of means.

Using his own life as an example, Wesley also would suggest less reliance upon pharmaceuticals. While he experimented with alternative health practices, he rose each morning at 4 o'clock and relied heavily on an active life style. He lived to age 88.

*Peck is a retired clergy member of the New York Annual Conference and the communications director of the Commission on United Methodist Men.