Dear friends and members of University UMC:
This week, a friend told me about a short video with Lady Gaga singing “Won’t you be my neighbor?” from Mr. Rogers Neighborhood. She remarks that it’s a powerful thing to imagine what he might say about these times in which we are living. The song sings, “I have always wanted to have a neighbor just like you.” It brings to mind the teachings of Jesus. When he is asked the question, “Who is my neighbor?"Jesus answers with the story we know as the Good Samaritan. He then asks his own question, “Who acted as a neighbor?” The song might also bring to mind images of people we’ve seen in the news who are seeking safety and a place to call home.
The image of five-year-old Liam coming home from school, being detained, and taken to a detention center has been widely seen. It is a heartbreaking image capturing the injustices of our broken immigration system and amplifying our society’s racism and xenophobia. There are many, many other children who, like Liam, are living in dire conditions. They are missing their family, friends, school, and community. With open hearts, I’ve heard some of you remark, “I’d like them to be my neighbor!”
The work of addressing immigration reform is overwhelming and complex. I do not presume to have many answers, certainly not easy ones. Yet we know within the core of our being that God’s compassion extends to the immigrant and refugee, and therefore we should also be compassionate. News about ICE raids, deportations, and violent responses to peaceful protestors cause us to rise up and ask: “How long O Lord?” As we all wrestle with this question, I share with you a few things I’ve learned and experienced recently.
Last Sunday, I attended an online training: “Documenting and Responding to ICE” led by the non-profit States at the Core. I found it informative and appreciated their approach of non-violent resistance. One of the presenters was Civil Rights leader Eric Ward, who stated, “Non-violence is how we keep from becoming what we protest.” You can learn more about this organization and future trainings on their website.
Our Río Texas Conference’s website has excellent resources from Know Your Rights materials to devotionals on staying grounded and centered. You can find the link to these resources here.
Earlier this week, I joined colleagues and new friends participating in a peaceful protest outside the South Texas Family Residential Center.
