The EDSJ 2020 Diocesan Convention passed a resolution introduced by the Immigration Commission declaring EDSJ to be a Diocese of Holy Welcome and Advocacy where, “in accordance with Scripture and our Baptismal Covenant, the congregations of the Diocese [will] discern ways they may serve as places of welcome, refuge, and healing to protect the dignity and human rights of all people including, immigrants and refugees.”
The resolution continued, “the Diocese designates the Sunday nearest June 20 (World Refugee Day) as Immigrant/Refugee Sunday, and that annually on that Sunday, each congregation take a special collection in support of the work of the EDSJ Immigration Commission.”
The Immigration Commission (SJRAISE), seeking to implement this resolution has, with the Bishop’s blessing, designated May 25 to June 20 as Immigration Month, where we as a Diocese will engage in prayer, reflection, discernment on the ways we may be called to respond to the struggles of immigrants in our diverse communities.
The month will conclude on World Refugee Day, Sunday, June 19th, or as we are designating it, Immigrant/Refugee Sunday. This resource, we hope, will enable you to participate fully in this month and to bring the concerns of immigrants into your congregational worship.
Resources
Personal Devotions:
• 30 days of Prayer for Immigration and Refugee Concerns
Congregational Worship: To help our congregations to pray and worship during this Immigration Month, we are offering these resources.
• Sermon Talking Points created by Pastor Julie Kelly
• Suggested intercessions fashioned by Fr. Luis Rodriquez
• Suggested hymn titles that would mesh well with these concerns assembled by Arlin Aasness
• Ideas for activities with children linked to the theme developed by Ruth Diekman
• Immigration Facts for reference
• Suggested next steps beyond this month’s observance
The resolution continued, “the Diocese designates the Sunday nearest June 20 (World Refugee Day) as Immigrant/Refugee Sunday, and that annually on that Sunday, each congregation take a special collection in support of the work of the EDSJ Immigration Commission.”
The Immigration Commission (SJRAISE), seeking to implement this resolution has, with the Bishop’s blessing, designated May 25 to June 20 as Immigration Month, where we as a Diocese will engage in prayer, reflection, discernment on the ways we may be called to respond to the struggles of immigrants in our diverse communities.
The month will conclude on World Refugee Day, Sunday, June 19th, or as we are designating it, Immigrant/Refugee Sunday. This resource, we hope, will enable you to participate fully in this month and to bring the concerns of immigrants into your congregational worship.
Resources
Personal Devotions:
• 30 days of Prayer for Immigration and Refugee Concerns
Congregational Worship: To help our congregations to pray and worship during this Immigration Month, we are offering these resources.
• Sermon Talking Points created by Pastor Julie Kelly
• Suggested intercessions fashioned by Fr. Luis Rodriquez
• Suggested hymn titles that would mesh well with these concerns assembled by Arlin Aasness
• Ideas for activities with children linked to the theme developed by Ruth Diekman
• Immigration Facts for reference
• Suggested next steps beyond this month’s observance
