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March 2021 Begin Again Recently, I heard someone describe Jesus as a social justice mover and shaker. I loved the descriptor. It brought to mind an opinion piece I read in The New York Times by Peter Wehner titled “The Forgotten Radicalism of Jesus Christ.” It is an essay on inclusion - how and why Jesus rejected the, “conventional religious and cultural thinking” of his time, shattering “barrier after barrier” to embrace those on the margins. Read the full newsletter here >> February 2021 Begin Again In addition to being the diocesan liaison to SJRAISE, I co-chair, with Deacon Steve Bentley, the Anti-Racism and Racial Reconciliation Commission. As our commission is in the "forming" stage of group life, we decided to read a book together as a follow up to the Waking Up White study the diocese did back in July. Deacon Steve suggested we read Begin Again by Eddie Glaude, Jr., and so for the last month or so as I've taken walks around the neighborhood, I've been intently listening to Glaude narrate his text. I found myself shaking my head, feeling frustrated and wondering "how do we fix the mess we created". Read the full newsletter here >> January 2021 By choosing to be silent you are choosing to be complacent The constant inflex of violence in the world today has desensitized us to the pain and destruction that is occurring all around us. Violence invades our computer screens, televisions sets, and radios. We are constantly being flooded with the sights and sounds of violence and have become unable or unwilling to feel the trauma of these events. Read the full newsletter here >> December 2020 3rd Annual Border Ministries Summit The Third Annual Border Ministries Summit met November Nov. 20-21. Hosted by the Diocese of San Diego and co-sponsored by Episcopal Migration Ministries and the Office of Global Partnerships of the Episcopal Church, the Zoom event brought together immigration advocates and those providing direct service to immigrants on both sides of the border. Despite the COVID-imposed restrictions of a Zoom conference, the presentations by Bishops south of the border, presentations and facilitation by the Global Immersion Project, and the first person accounts of the struggles of migrants made it a memorable, powerful event. Bishop David led a group of EDSJ participants to the event. Read the full newsletter here >> November 2020 Holy Welcome and Advocacy In just two weeks, we will vote on a resolution to declare the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin to be a “Diocese of Holy Welcome and Advocacy for immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees.” Holy Welcome. Sound familiar, biblically speaking? Well, it should. Throughout the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament, we are taught that welcome and hospitality are necessary to be a people of God. For the desert people of ancient Egypt, welcoming the stranger – an “alien” - into one’s home, providing food and shelter, was a necessity to survival and a cultural expectation. One example is found in Leviticus 19:33-34, which says “When an alien resides with you in your land, you shall not oppress the alien. The alien who resides with you shall be to you as the citizen among you; you shall love the alien as yourself, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt: I am the Lord your God.” And from Hebrews 13:1-2, “Let mutual love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” Indeed, the hospitality we are expected to offer to strangers is analogous to the hospitality God shows us – providing us all things necessary for salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. And, in the sending of the Holy Spirit as an Advocate for us! Read full newsletter here >> October 2020 Looking Back and Looking Forward Every year about this time, the EDSJ Immigration Commission meets for a day and a half planning meeting. Last year, we met in ECCO and after a very productive time left excited about the work we’d accomplished and the plans that we’d made for the coming year… 2020. So, you know how our, and your, and everyone’s plans were upended by the COVID virus. In this reflection we wanted to talk about some of the work we were able to complete, the improvisations we managed in the face of our drastically changed context, and what we see ahead for our work in the coming months as a result of this year’s planning meeting… via Zoom, of course! Read the full newsletter here >> September 2020 My first visit to a refugee camp occurred in February of 1984. I was with a delegation of Church World Service staff visiting programs for the displaced in Central America. The Mesa Grande camp in Honduras housed about 30,000 Salvadoran refugees who had fled the civil conflict in their country. Most of the people there were campesinos, rural folks, who had lost land, livelihood, and frequently family members in the brutal civil war. They were traumatized by the violence and struggling as best they could to refashion their lives with next to nothing. Read the full newsletter here >> August 2020 Into the Beautiful North A group from our parish has been reading together Luis Alberto Urrea’s novel Into the Beautiful North. It tells the story of nineteen-year old Nayeli and a small band of friends who leave their remote Mexican village – Tres Camarones (that’s right, Three Shrimps) – and embark on a journey to save it. The dust jacket describes the book well: “Filled with unforgettable characters and prose as radiant as the Sinaloan sun, Into the Beautiful North is the story of an irresistible young woman's quest to find herself on both sides of the fence.” Through the eyes and hopes – and even naiveté – of these young people, we encounter coyotes, opportunistic motel owners, and United States Border Patrol officers; we encounter also people who live among the trash heaps of Tijuana and those living the “dream” north of the border. Read full newsletter here >> July 2020 What we are called to do When I read in an article other week about 168 asylum seekers that the US sent back to El Salvador my heart broke to learn about their deaths. This is 168 needless deaths! We as a country sent them back knowing that it would cost them their life. I find myself wondering how we could in good conscience send them to their deaths. The only reason I can come up with is our own fear. We are living in a country that is focused on scarcity. We as a country are so afraid that if we let anyone into our country; to eat our food and take our jobs there will not be enough for us. The Bible and Jesus does not want us living this way. I have a friend who continually talks about an amazing God who will do things beyond our imagination. Sometimes this annoys me, yet if we believed in this amazing God, in the wonderful and amazing things he will do for us, there is no reason to live in fear of scarcity. Just as he provided for the Israelites in their wandering in the desert for 40 years, how much more will he do for us if we just trust him. Read full newsletter here >> June 2020 There is always something we can do In preschool our son was taught Stranger Danger – this led to interesting conversations in the grocery store. In line at the grocery store I’d begin talking with someone and Brendan would very loudly and accusingly say: “Do you know that person?” “ No.” and I’d hear: “Then that person is a stranger and it is dangerous to talk to that person. You should not do that.” It took a while to modify his view of others. I wonder in 2020 what this time of Pandemic will do to this world as far as our view of the stranger – the other- in our midst. Especially the marginalized, those who are most apt to be victims of this disease. When the message right now is to isolate in your home, do not let people in, they might carry the virus, it is dangerous. How do we see those essential workers who are not pictured as the heroes at the hospitals – those who work in the fields, who do the physical care for our elderly, who do manual labor and are getting sick? People who are different - color, language, culture, status and finance? This is a world of scarcity not enough PPE, or ventilators, or medication, or money for unemployment benefits for those who are not citizens, especially for those who are not documented. Read full newsletter here>> May 2020 Prayer in a time of pandemic Loving God, throughout the Scriptures you call us to “Fear not!”, but these are troubling times for the hardiest souls. Give us courage to face the challenges of this new threat to your human family. Give us prudence, to do the necessary things to protect ourselves and others. Give us the clarity of vision to learn from this disease the lesson we are too prone to forget, that we are all connected, regardless of race or nationality or political persuasion. We pray for those who are struggling with this disease, that their health may be restored. We pray for medical personnel and first responders caring for those in need, that they remain healthy and unflagging in their life-saving work. And we pray for all those economically impacted, that they may find the resources to maintain themselves and their families. We ask all this, trusting in your abiding love, a love that even death cannot defeat. Amen. Written by Deacon Tom Hampson, Diocese of San Joaquin Read full newsletter here >> April 2020 Prayer in a time of pandemic Loving God, throughout the Scriptures you call us to “Fear not!”, but these are troubling times for the hardiest souls. Give us courage to face the challenges of this new threat to your human family. Give us prudence, to do the necessary things to protect ourselves and others. Give us the clarity of vision to learn from this disease the lesson we are too prone to forget, that we are all connected, regardless of race or nationality or political persuasion. We pray for those who are struggling with this disease, that their health may be restored. We pray for medical personnel and first responders caring for those in need, that they remain healthy and unflagging in their life-saving work. And we pray for all those economically impacted, that they may find the resources to maintain themselves and their families. We ask all this, trusting in your abiding love, a love that even death cannot defeat. Amen. Written by Deacon Tom Hampson, Diocese of San Joaquin Read full newsletter here >> March 2020 WHAT CAN WE DO TO SUPPORT THE IMMIGRANT COMMUNITY? By James Mendez One of my favorite verses of scripture is Micah 6:8. While there are many different translations of the verse, the following is from the New International Version (NIV): “And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” Both the Hebrew Bible and the New Testament are clear what it means to “To act justly and to love mercy” when it comes to treatment of immigrants. As Episcopalian Christians we are called to love one another and to welcome the immigrant. Read full newsletter here >> February 2020 HOLY SPIRIT 1, BORDER WALL 0 by Dean Ryan Newman On Wednesday, a portion of the newly installed US Border Wall toppled over in high winds landing on trees on the Mexican side of the border. Officials indicated that the concrete supports had not yet properly cured. Ultimately, the border wall was unable to withstand the gusty conditions. Thankfully, there were no injuries or property damage. A little over three years ago, the “building of a border wall” became the signature campaign promise “To Make America Great Again.” Hundreds of millions of dollars are being spent to construct 450 miles of wall separating the United States and Mexico. The project has faced significant opposition and experienced numerous setbacks. Despite the challenges, it was announced earlier this month that the 100-mile mark had been reached. Read the full newsletter here >> January 2020 A New Year’s Resolution for Immigration This year, I pray for the Year of the Lord’s Favor for immigrants and refugees. The past years have seen the erosion of policies and practices of a nation that once boldly proclaimed on its Statue of Liberty, “give me your poor, your weary, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free…” Instead immigrants seeking a better life are arrested and deported without due process, families are torn apart and punished for bringing their children with them, refugees are denied entrance into the US to plead their cases, and circumstances granted asylum are dwindling into nothingness. And I pray for the year of the Lord’s favor. On December 16 a group of about 70 of the faithful from Bakersfield and other locations throughout the Diocese of San Joaquin re-enacted the journey of Mary and Joseph seeking shelter to birth their child, Jesus. This Posada journeyed to several stations in Bakersfield, including the Mesa Verde Detention Center, where we were chased away after prayers and singing. Although other locations in Bakersfield– a few restaurants, and the Center for Sexuality and Gender Diversity, turned away the holy family, their rejection was scripted – and they did offer the hospitality of pan dulce. At the detention center, however, the shooing away was earnest: we, like the immigrants in this country were not welcomed. No light was to be shown on conditions there, on the private prison system created in response to the overwhelming number of would-be immigrants now held under detention. Read the full newsletter here >> December 2019 Welcome to the first installment of the SJRAISE monthly newsletter! Our goal - to provide you and your congregation with timely and useful resources for your efforts to stand with immigrants in our Diocese and beyond. In this and future issues, look for news, educational materials, worship resources, calls to action, and potential allies in this important work. While the struggle to defend the rights of immigrants can be daunting, there is a wide community of folks in the church and beyond who are engaged in the work with you. You are not alone! We hope this newsletter and that community make your efforts easier! Several of us from the SJRAISE team were privileged to participate in the Second Annual Border Ministries Summit, Nov. 21-23, in Tucson, Arizona. It gave us an inspiring glimpse of that wider community. Hosted by the Episcopal Diocese of Arizona, the ecumenical meeting gathered two hundred activists from along the United States/Mexico border and beyond. There were groups involved in many forms of direct service to immigrants, both in the U.S. and in Mexico, others were engaged in political advocacy, seeking a more just and humane U.S. immigration policy. Others were engaged in education on the issue. And some were doing all three. Read the full newsletter here >> May 2018 The Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin Immigration Task Force Update You may recall that at our last Diocesan Convention in October 2017, the delegates unanimously approved a Resolution to establish a Task Force on Immigration. The mandate of the Task Force is to further the Diocese's ministry in supporting migrants through the following activities:
Northern Deanery Lyn Morlan Wil Colon Edward Dondi Amy Larsen Tom Hampson (co-chair) Central Deanery Jim Mendez Jim McDonald Nancy Key (co-chair) Southern Deanery Jan Dunlap Since January of this year, the Task Force has met monthly, alternating between face-to-face meetings in Fresno and conference calls. Read more ... Ways to help Immigration Task Force: click here. 
Immigrant Resolution passed at Diocesan Convention! “You shall not deprive a resident alien or an orphan of justice…. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this.” (Deuteronomy 24:17–18) “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:34–40) The Holy Spirit was visibly among us at Diocesan Convention as we were inspired by the Revs. Jaime Edwards-Acton and Francisco Garcia, from Sacred Resistance in the Diocese of Los Angles before the business meeting of our 58th Annual Convention. After months of information gathering, listening, deanery conversations, capped with the words and songs of Jaime and Francisco, our Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin gave its collective Amen! to the Immigrant Resolution with no amendments, no dissenting arguments and no dissenting votes. It was the perfect book-end to the renewal of our Baptismal Covenant question: Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being? And the people of the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin responded, We will! For you who were not with us at Diocesan Convention, you can access the Resolution that passed here. In summary, this is what it says (paraphrased):
With this resolution, the Diocese of San Joaquin begins a new chapter, a chapter defined more by ministry than by lawsuits, by looking beyond our own survival toward a revival of the Jesus Movement among us! As the 58th Annual Convention drew to a close, and people were gathering their belongings and preparing to leave, I was tapped on the shoulder by one of the delegates. She pressed a paper into my hand with the words, “you’ll know what this is for when you see it.” Then she was gone. Retrieving it from my pocket, I discovered a check for $3,000 with the memo line: “R-01-17,” the number of the Immigrant Resolution. Glory hallelujah and Amen! I look forward to joining with you in this Holy work. The Rev. Deacon Nancy Key St. James Episcopal Cathedral Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin
Immigrant facts to ponder
Over the past months, this column has offered both theological reflections on immigration and how we are called to be as a people of God, as well as some options to consider in response. In this article, I’d like to offer some facts to consider about immigrants. The Pew Research Center published an article entitled “5 facts about illegal immigration in the U.S.” (April 27, 2017), which listed five facts:
Another article, “Key Findings about U.S. Immigrants,” can be accessed here http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2017/05/03/key-findings-about-u-s-immigrants/. Among other findings, this article states that about one-fourth (24.5%) of the U.S. foreign-born population is here illegally, with about the same percent (26.6%) in the U.S. legally as permanent residents. Nearly half (44.1%) are naturalized. The plight of citizen children of undocumented parents is especially dire. The American Immigration Council has published an article on this subject entitled “U.S. Citizen Children Impacted by Immigration Enforcement,” which offers several facts:
If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org. Deacon Nancy Give public declaration of physical, spiritual, moral, and financial support.
Many of our congregations proudly display the message “All are welcomed,” or another “There will be no outcasts.” Have you ever wondered what this means, really means? In other words, when Jesus says “Feed my sheep,” does he literally mean, provide food to those who are hungry? To those who must choose between paying the rent, keeping the electricity on, or feeding their families? Or when the Episcopal Church says “There will be no outcasts,” do we really mean to include those who have over-stayed their visas to work the fields, clean hotel rooms, or construct buildings and are thus categorized as “undocumented aliens?” I hope so! For our public statements to be meaningful, we need to be specific and be prepared to let our actions speak loudly. In earlier articles of this Sanctuary series, we have suggested educating ourselves on issues of citizenship, creating safe places for all, supporting efforts of agencies that can educate our brothers and sisters in fear of deportation about their rights, and collaborating with those agencies who have the expertise to assist with obtaining legal status. But congregations can also offer assistance in other ways:
We are called to do no less. If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org. Deacon Nancy Sanctuary: A pause to reflect
Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has called the Episcopal Church, a church of sixteen countries worldwide, into the Jesus Movement in which we ourselves reflect the holy love of Jesus in the world. In just a few short months, the Presiding Bishop, the Rev. Canon Stephanie Spellers, Canon for Evangelism and Reconciliation and author of “Radical Welcome: Embracing God, the Other and the Spirit of Transformation,” along with other notables from the wider Episcopal Church will visit us in our diocese over three days, November 17 – 19. This is a “Revival,” one of six the Presiding Bishop has or will give in Episcopal dioceses in 2017 and 2018. He will be sharing his vision of “The Jesus Movement” and how we are called to follow Jesus. Not just THAT we are called to follow Jesus, but WHAT that might look like on a day to day basis. He could, for example, help us discern how we are called to respond to the plight of immigrants. Do we make any exceptions to Jesus’ command to love our neighbors? What if our neighbors do not have legal immigration status, which an estimated 3.2 million people (8% of the total population) in California do not? The sort of love that Jesus demonstrates throughout the Gospel is that which knows no boundaries – no excuses, no exclusions, no requirements. In fact, as 1 John puts it, “Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” (1 John 4:8) And, 1 John implores us in another verse, “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth” (1 John 3:18). The question for us is how God is calling us to BE for our immigrant brothers and sisters, both those with papers and those without papers? How are our actions consistent with Jesus – consistent with a people who call themselves “the Jesus Movement” – when we have so many questions about whether our brothers and sisters are “legal” or “illegal,” “residents” or “aliens?” The answer, I believe, is Love. Do our actions – helping our undocumented residents or not – align with Jesus’ command not to turn our backs on the resident aliens: “You shall not deprive a resident alien or an orphan of justice…. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this. (Deuteronomy 24:17–18). How best can we, the holy people of Jesus, best show our love to all people? Have we obeyed what Jesus called the second great commandment, to “Love your neighbor as yourself?” (Matthew 22:39). This, I believe, is the test. If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org. Deacon Nancy Helping families toward citizenship
There are multiple instances in scripture leading us to protect immigrants, one of those being Exodus 22:21: “You shall not wrong or oppress a resident alien, for you were aliens in the land of Egypt.” Indeed, the Holy Family was led to flee their native land seeking sanctuary when Herod was seeking the life of the infant Jesus. According to the Pew Research Center, there were 4.5 million US-born children under 18 living with undocumented parents in 2012. Unfortunately, immigration law is a complex matter, and what is in the best interest of each individual differs. Some communities and some agencies, such as Faith in the Valley, have established Legal Defense Funds. Contribution to these funds ensures that undocumented persons and legal immigrants have access to legal advice, either from an attorney specializing in immigration or from an individual who is accredited through the Office of Legal Access Programs to assist individuals with the citizenship process. Without a trained immigration advisory or qualified immigration attorney, well-intended help can result in adverse consequences for those seeking citizenship. An accredited immigration advisor will conduct a thorough assessment to determine first, whether the individual is likely to qualify for citizenship, and secondly, what steps are appropriate. Below is a listing of agencies that may offer accredited immigration assistance: Stockton Area:
Deacon Nancy Be a community of love, hospitality and fellowship for Sanctuary Congregations.
While the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin has not authorized its congregations to provide physical sanctuary, congregations can support those congregations of denominations and faiths who have declared themselves to be sanctuary congregations. If your congregation is linked with Faith in the Valley or another interfaith group, you may already be aware of nearby congregations that have discerned the call to provide sanctuary. In Fresno, for example, “sanctuary congregations” include Wesley United Methodist, First Congregational Church (“Big Red”), the Unitarian Universalist Church and Carter Memorial African Methodist Episcopalian Church. In January, 2017, the governing council of bishops directed that all African Methodist Episcopal churches in the nation would be sanctuary churches. Local congregations can also provide support to sanctuary congregations through offering love, hospitality and fellowship for Sanctuary Congregations through tangible resources to Sanctuary Congregations. Ways to do this include:
Helpful Information:
Deacon Nancy The Episcopal Church and Immigration Advocacy
The Episcopal Church has been active in standing with immigrants for many years. This holy work is rooted in our faith and commanded throughout scripture. I’ve cited verses previously in this space, but here again is a reminder of what we people of God are to do: "Do not take advantage of foreigners in your land; do not wrong them. They must be treated like any other citizen; love them as yourself, for remember that you too were foreigners in the land of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God. (Leviticus 19:33-34) “You must not oppress foreigners. You know what it’s like to be a foreigner, for you yourselves were once foreigners in the land of Egypt” (Exodus 23:9 NLT) “Do not forget to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have shown hospitality to angels without knowing it” (Hebrews 13:2 NIV) Our catechism (“outline of faith”) in the Book of Common Prayer (pp. 854-855) notes that the mission of the Church is “to restore all people to unity with God and each other in Christ,” and that the Church lives out this mission “as it prays and worships, proclaims the Gospel, and promotes justice, peace, and love.” To be faithful to these charges, The Episcopal Church takes a clear stand on Immigration, advocating for policies that define a pathway for citizenship for undocumented persons in the U.S., prioritizing family unity, and advocating for humane enforcement. The Episcopal Church’s Office of Government Affairs recently published a one-page immigration policy statement. In addition, the Office of Government Affairs published a consolidated Policy for Action summarizing social justice resolutions passed by General Convention or Executive Council (the interim body of General Convention). The immigration resolutions are described on pages 12 – 15, and include the following:
Faithfully yours, Deacon Nancy Engage in a rapid response team for immigration raids
For allies of those facing an immigration raid, one way to assist is as part of a rapid response team. Teams have been organized across the nation, often by interfaith coalitions supported by community organizers such as PICO. Rapid response teams serve many purposes:
Some notes of caution:
Newsweek article on deportation resistance of faith communities, specifically Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles: Overview on Rapid Response Teams from PICO: From Interfaith Immigration: http://www.newsweek.com/california-resisting-trump-immigration-policies-593379 Fresno Bee article about Rapid Response Team kick-off organized by Faith in Fresno: San Jose Mercury News article about Migra Watch Hotline Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, Sacred Resistance video training If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org. Deacon Nancy Host or sponsor “Know Your Rights” workshops – tips for your event
Hosting or sponsoring a “Know Your Rights” workshop is a way to provide education and support that is potentially life-saving for those facing deportation. Many of our undocumented neighbors left their native countries fleeing violence, torture, and/or gangs, and if deported, face a future that is uncertain at best. The education your workshop provides will help provide critical information. Again, it is strongly recommended that you reach out to the local bar association to obtain the participation of an immigration attorney. As suggested last week, a good first step may be partnering another organization experienced in hosting Know Your Rights Workshops. When you are ready to host your own workshops, the tips below – which were provided by the Sacred Resistance of the Episcopal Diocese of Los Angeles, provide a framework for you. 1. Know your audience in order to provide the most accessible date/time/location for the workshop. 2. Connect with local immigrant rights organizations/immigration attorneys that have expertise on the issues related to your workshop generally, and can also speak to what's happening locally related to immigration enforcement. 3. Include information about creating family preparedness plans/child custody plans in the event of a detention/deportation: https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cluela/pages/54/attachments/original/1489096328/ILRC_family_preparedness_plan.pdf?1489096328 https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/cluela/pages/54/attachments/original/1489096326/ILRC_plan_de_preparacion_familiar_spanish_final.pdf?1489096326 3. Do provide a theological/faith framing for why you are doing this work! Our Baptismal Covenant is great for this, as are many scriptures related to immigration and welcoming the stranger. 4. Provide translation, or plan to conduct the workshop in the most relevant language(s) needed. 5. Provide Know Your Rights literature/resources in multiple languages. 6. Provide child care. 7. Prepare for a worst-case scenario in case detractors/anti-immigrant voices show up and try to disrupt your workshop. Have extra volunteers, and legal observers if possible, to play this role. Visible clergy may be helpful in helping to de-escalate a situation. 8. Build community, build the rapid response network. Collect names, emails, phone numbers for those willing to support the ongoing work! If you have any questions or contributions, please email me at DeaconNancy@diosanjoaquin.org. Deacon Nancy |
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