Immigration Issue Thoughts
In my daily devotions, I encountered this anonymous piece of thoughts on the Lord’s Prayer. It struck me as appropriate given my following thoughts.
- I cannot pray Our, if my faith has no room for others and their need.
- I cannot pray Father, if I do not demonstrate this relationship to God in my daily living.
- I cannot pray who art in heaven, if all of my interests and pursuits are in earthly things.
- I cannot pray hallowed be thy name, if I am not striving, with God’s help, to be holy.
- I cannot pray thy kingdom come, if I am unwilling to accept God’s rule in my life.
- I cannot pray thy will be done, if I am unwilling or resentful of having it in my life.
- I cannot pray on earth as it is in heaven, unless I am truly ready to give myself to God’s service here and now.
- I cannot pray give us this day our daily bread, without expending honest effort for it, or if I would withhold from my neighbor the bread that I receive.
- I cannot pray forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us, if I continue to harbor a grudge against anyone.
- I cannot pray lead us not into temptation, if I deliberately choose to remain in a situation where I am likely to be tempted.
- I cannot pray deliver us from evil, if I am not prepared to fight evil with my life and my prayer.
- I cannot pray thine is the kingdom, if I am unwilling to obey the King.
- I cannot pray thine is the power and the glory, if I am seeking power for myself and my own glory first.
- I cannot pray forever and ever, if I am to anxious about each day’s affairs.
- I cannot pray Amen, unless I honestly say, “Cost what it may, this is my prayer.”
I continue to struggle with decisions that have been made in our communities and states that claim to address issues of immigration reform. I am having a hard time seeing the actions taken by our communities and states as reform. Reform suggests to me that changes are being made to improve the circumstances and issues’ surrounding whatever is in need of reform.
Clearly, our broken immigration system is in need of reform. We have two signs on our borders. “No Trespassing” and “Help Wanted.” Our current system provides for 5,000 visas per year for unskilled workers. However, we have the need for 150,000 unskilled workers. Something needs to be reformed in this mixed message.
If you are a US citizen and wish to have a family member (spouse, unmarried child under 21 or a parent) allowed to join you in this country, you have a morass of legal work and a seven year wait. I can’t imagine the toll this takes on an individual let alone the composite stress on a family. Reform is clearly needed.
If you have overstayed your visa and are subject to deportation and are deported, you cannot apply to return for ten years, no exceptions. How does that work for mothers separated from children, for example? Reform is clearly needed. A fix is needed so that we do not continue to break people.
Our Hebrew and Christian scriptures clearly indicate that “all are made in the image of God.” If my brother or sister, with a different skin color, is made in the image of God, how should I be treating them? How should I be talking about them? The language that has become the basis of discussion is language that seems to demean or even demonize the other. How is this honoring of God’s creation? Reform is clearly needed.
I am not suggesting that we simply turn a blind eye toward this issue but there are some things that I believe ought to be at the basis of our efforts toward reform. Jesus was always trying to shape the inclinations of the people’s heart. How might we be involved in shaping the inclinations of people’s hearts in this matter?
Some principles that make sense to me:
- A call for enforcement initiatives that is consistent with humanitarian values.
- Advocating for reform in our family-based immigration system that reduces waiting times for separated families.
- The establishment of a process for all immigrant workers and their families already in the US to earn citizenship upon satisfaction of specific criteria.
- Expansion of the legal avenues for workers and families to enter the country and work in a safe and legal manner with their rights and due process fully protected.
- A call for solutions to address the root causes of migration, such as economic disparities between sending and receiving nations.
Paul says in Philippians 4:6, “In nothing be anxious; but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be known to God.” I pray that the anxiety and fear that is felt within our communities and country might give way to reasoned thinking and a reshaping of our hearts in order that our laws are in keeping with our moral and ethical values.
I also pray that we will advocate for these types of principles and that we will use language that respects the dignity and image of all in the sight of God.
Rev. Dr. Damon D. Laaker, Director, Lutheran Metro Ministry
No comments26th Annual IMA Martin Luther King Jr Luncheon
Lutheran Metro Ministry is pleased to sponsor two tables at the 26th Annual Celebration of the Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Luncheon.
The guest speaker is Rev. Dr. Michael T. Williams, Pastor of Shiloh Baptist Church, Eire, PA.
The luncheon is Monday, January 18, 2009, 11:30 am-1:30 pm, Downtown Qwest Center, Omaha.
If you would like to attend, we’d be happy to have you sit at one of our tables. Donations up to the per ticket cost of $35 are welcome. Please drop us an email at lutheranmetromin@gmail.com and we will reserve a place for you.
No commentsCongregation Based Organizing Event
Lutheran Metro Ministry in cooperation with Nebraska Justice Ministries hosted a Congregation Based Organizing Training event the last weekend in September. Individuals from congregations and community organizations participated. This event provided training in priniciples that help individuals and organizations maximize their effectiveness.
No commentsYounkers Community Day Supports Lutheran Pantry
This special event sponsored by Younkers provides Lutheran Pantry the opportunity to raise additional dollars needed for funds to help those in need within the Omaha community.
Your $5 donation nets you a $10 coupon for this event at Younkers. In addtion, your donation is matched at 50% by Thrivent Financial for Lutherans.
Contact the office today to secure your Community Day Coupon.
No commentsLutheran Metro Ministry featured display at Synod Assembly
Lutheran Metro Ministry was pleased to display its ministry efforts at the Nebraska Synod Assembly held in Fremont, June 5-7. Participants were free to select a key chain featuring Lutheran Metro’s contact info.
Participants were also able to pick up a newly redesigned brochure and the latest newsletter to share with others.
Lutheran Metro is pleased to “serve Christ in the city.”
No commentsMay 2009 Newsletter
The latest newsletter highlighting the ministry efforts is posted here.
Lutheran Metro has received some FEMA funding to help those in need. “We give thanks for these extra dollars,” said Francine Wise, Office Manager. “The needs of those calling for help continue to rise. This gives us the chance to help to a greater extent than our donated resources permit.”
Lutheran Metro has also received donated collectables from a generous donor. Ideas are welcome on how best to market these for ministry support.
No commentsVital Congregations, Vital Communities: Congregation Based Organizing
Come join us for a training and strategic planning session on June 30, 2009, at the beautiful Swanson Retreat Center at Camp Carol Joy Holling in Ashland, Nebraska.
Learn how to interview members of your parish in such way as to uncover their passions and identify their leadership skills!
Help shape future training and development of Congregation Based Organizing in Nebraska!
Cost for the 4-hour workshop is $20. Lunch is included.
See brochure: vital-cong-organizing-brochure
No commentsMobilization to End Poverty – Report
Sojourners and a number of other partners sponsored the event “Mobilization to End Poverty,” April 26-29, in Washington, DC. Over 1,100 individuals from all over the country attended the event.
A couple highlights of the event were a video presentation by President Obama.
A second was the live production of art during the worship experiences.
A third was the visits to Congressional offices requesting Congressional action on poverty legislation. The visits were followed by a Rally at the courtyard of one of the Congressional buildings.
No commentsBenefit Dinner a Delightful Success
The benefit dinner for the Anglican Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza City was a delightful success. The Friday night was cold with snow falling at a rapid pace but that did not deter some 150+ people from venturing out. The donations rapidly approached $9,000. All funds will be forwarded to the Episcopal Relief and Development Fund where every dollar will go toward medical care for those in need.
A bountiful table was set with abundant foods. No one went away hungry this night.
A brief picture tour was presented by Sam and Lois Seikaly of the hospital following dinner.
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