In this Issue:

From UCC: True Bible-Based Immigration Reform
Peace Training: Wage Peace - Peace Practitioner Event
Maya Angelou: Tickets For Sale for Voices of Peace
NEW from H4PJ: Liberating Word
“The Real Antichrist” Audiobook Available for Download
Inside the H4PJ Blog: Our leaders have squandered our wealth
H4PJ Online Action Center: Make a Difference Today!

True Bible-Based Immigration Reform

The Bible has a good bit to say about immigration. This should not be surprising since the land that gave birth to the Hebrew and Christian scriptures was a major international crossroads, and there was a significant nomadic population. What might be surprising is that a people who were extremely vulnerable, and surrounded by enemies obsessed with their destruction, established remarkably compassionate guidelines for dealing with “the alien” among them.

These Old Testament principles, and the teachings of Jesus about how we treated “the least of those among you,” were the basis for the following resolution that was passed by the United Church of Christ:

A CALL FOR A MORE HUMANE US IMMIGRATION POLICY;
END MIGRANT DEATHS; SUPPORT IMMIGRANT COMMUNITIES

RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, Jesus and the scriptures give us clear instruction on how we are to treat the foreigner and neighbors in need; and
WHEREAS, the Biblical heritage of the Judeo Christian tradition specifically identifies the “stranger” in our midst as deserving of our love and compassion; and
WHEREAS, we have been called by the one God to tear down all the borders we have built between us so that we may see each person as a child of God, so that we may learn to love and welcome all of God’s children as members of one family and one world; and
WHEREAS, our consciences are affronted by federal policies and actions that detain immigrants, that prosecute undocumented workers, that fracture families and prosecute those who would give them aid; and
WHEREAS, more than 3,000 men, women and children have died attempting to cross the US/Mexico border since the implementation of the blockade strategy of border enforcement and there is little evidence that this policy has been effective in slowing the tide of illegal immigration; and
WHEREAS, many of us are in local churches and communities where we are aware of migrant peoples, but largely unaware of their personal, communal, and national stories; and
WHEREAS, the United States is affected by the presence of new immigrants from all over the world, and
WHEREAS, although countries have the right to control their own borders, it is not an absolute right; the Church recognizes a basic God given right for shelter, food, clean water and other basic necessities; and
WHEREAS, the blockade strategy of border enforcement has created an underground market for the smuggling of human beings which exploits its vulnerable victims, and has encouraged an upsurge in vigilante activities, fosters an anti-immigrant atmosphere and represents the potential for violence; and
WHEREAS, current immigration policy forces upon migrant families potentially deadly choices which separate and dislocate them from one another, precluding free travel and mobility to return to their families; and
WHEREAS, migrant workers and their families enter the United States to live and work, and the current immigration policy makes that passage dangerous, illegal, disorderly, and inhumane, with very few of the basic rights afforded to all workers under international law; and
WHEREAS, approximately ten to twelve million undocumented workers and their families currently living in the United States are pressured to live covertly, without rights, and in vulnerable situations all over the United States; and
WHEREAS, the root causes of this migration lie in environmental, economic, and trade inequities between the United States, Mexico, and all of Latin America, policies which reduce tariffs and taxes that would support the poor in Mexico and Latin America; eliminate agricultural subsidies and low-interest loans for the poor in Mexico and Latin America while keeping those subsidies in the United States and in Canada; reduce social spending for health care, food stamps, and welfare reform in Mexico and Latin America; liberalize land ownership policies, thus limiting the ability of the poor in Mexico and Latin America to own or share in the land; deregulate environmental and labor laws in Mexico and Latin America; and limit the rights of Mexican and Latin American workers to protest or seek remedies for wrongs done to them; and
WHEREAS, the fragile desert environment has sustained severe damage as a result of migrant and responding enforcement patrols moving through remote desert regions; and
WHEREAS, General Synod XIII of the United Church of Christ (1981) adopted a
Pronouncement on Immigration calling upon all settings of the church to:

1. advocate for the rights of immigrants;
2. aid undocumented immigrants in attaining legal status;
3. aid immigrants in reunification with their families and in placement in areas of the country most favorable for their productive participation in society;
4. assist in meeting the social welfare needs of immigrants; and
5. be inclusive of immigrants in existing and new churches; and

WHEREAS, General Synod XXIV of the United Church of Christ adopted a resolution supporting Humane Borders, a faith-based group that offers assistance to those in need by maintaining water stations on and near the border and recognizing that there is more that can be done within and by the United Church of Christ regarding border issues; and
WHEREAS, the United Church of Christ proudly declares an extravagant welcome to all who seek to be in relationship with Jesus Christ;
THEREFORE LET IT BE RESOLVED that General Synod Twenty-six of the United
Church of Christ declares that the Militarized Border Enforcement Strategy of the United States government has been ineffective and inhumane.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that UCC congregations with their congressional
representatives, advocate for a policy that allows immigrant workers and their families to live and work in a safe, legal, orderly and humane manner through an Employment-Focused immigration program (as opposed to employer focused) that guarantees basic international workers’ rights to organization, collective bargaining, job portability, religious freedom, easy and safe travel between the United States and their homeland, achievable and verifiable paths to residency, and a basic human right of mobility.

Hope for Peace & Justice is an interfaith organization but it is also affiliated with the United Church of Christ. After reading the document above, hopefully, you are proud of that fact!

Blessings,

Michael Piazza
President, Hope for Peace & Justice

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Most everyone is for peace, but few know what to do about it, how to create it or how to overcome conflict in their own lives. This program not only will give you insights on why we seem to turn to violence as a first recourse for conflict resolution, it also will give you tools that you can use immediately in your life, community, church, temple or mosque to be a Peace Practitioner™.

Who Should Attend?
This training program is designed for spiritual leaders, teachers, members of faith communities and anyone with a passion for creating peace in our world.

Keynote Speaker
Dr. Maya Angelou, the keynote speaker for this event, is hailed as one of the great voices of contemporary literature and as a remarkable Renaissance woman. Being a poet, educator, historian, bestselling author, actress, playwright, civil-rights activist, producer and director, Dr. Angelou continues to travel the world making appearances, spreading her legendary wisdom. Dr. Angelou captivates her audiences lyrically with vigor, fire and perception. She has the unique ability to shatter the opaque prisms of race and class between reader and subject throughout her books of poetry and her autobiographies.

Voices of Peace
In observance of the fifth anniversary of the United States’ invasion of Iraq
Hope for Peace & Justice will honor one of the greatest peacemakers of our time, Dr. Maya Angelou. H4PJ will present Dr. Angelou with the first “Voice of Peace” award in recognition of a life lived in the pursuit of peace and justice.
In addition, the Meyerson will be filled with music. The Voices of Peace Chorus, under the direction of Dr. Timothy Seelig, will include singers from The Women’s Chorus of Dallas, the Turtle Creek Chorale, One Achord, the Cathedral of Hope Sanctuary Choir and MosaicSong. The chorus will be accompanied by the New Texas Symphony Orchestra, and the Meyerson Symphony Center’s spectacular Lay Family Organ. The male chorus from First Baptist Church, Hamilton Park also will be featured. The afternoon will culminate with all in attendance raising their voices for peace.

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"Voices of Peace" Celebration
honoring Maya Angelou

Saturday, March 1, 2008
Morton H. Meyerson Symphony Center

with the
Voices of Peace Chorus
Dr. Timothy Seelig, Conductor

New Texas Symphony Orchestra
Kathryn Brown, Conductor

Male Chorus, First Baptist Church, Hamilton Park
John Tatum, Conductor

** Click HERE to get YOUR tickets Online Today! **
Tickets are also available at CoH THIS Sunday!

Few voices in history have made a greater impact for peace and justice in our world than that of the incredible Dr. Maya Angelou.  H4PJ is thrilled to honor her as our very first “Voice of Peace.”  In addition to an inspiring speech by Dr. Angelou, Art for Peace & Justice Director, Tim Seelig, will conduct the chorus, orchestra, Meyerson organ and 2,000 voices in singing “Dona Nobis Pacem”  (Give Us Peace) as we hope and pray for peace in our world and in our lifetime. MORE...

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NEW from H4PJ
Liberating Word

Changing the world is a daily struggle. In part, it is a struggle to keep the world and the dominant culture from changing us. While they do not reflect the faith of the majority of Americans, fundamentalists have succeeded in commandeering the public discourse. The result is that they have become the ones to define orthodoxy and, to a large extent, faith itself.

“Liberating Word” is designed to be daily nourishment to strengthen progressive people of faith. For the world to be transformed into a place of peace and justice, WE must enter the fray. It is tempting to duck our heads and just let things pass. It is easy to become so overwhelmed by life itself that we simply don’t have the energy to challenge what is said and done. However, if we do not, then who will?

These are not devotions, but are designed to evoke our devotion to the principles of justice and peace rooted in the Hebrew and Christian scriptures. If you don’t find at least one a week with which you disagree then this project has failed. Its purpose is not to answer your questions but to strengthen your questioning. My hope is not that you will agree, but that you will consider your faith in a whole new way.

A liberating word will be sent to you every day (Monday-Friday) as a support service from Hope for Peace & Justice. Please forward them to your family and friends and encourage them to subscribe. We must be as deliberate and devoted as any fundamentalist.

Read TODAY'S Liberating Word NOW!

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“The Real Antichrist” Audiobook
Available for Download

You can now download “The Real Antichist” directly from the shopping cart on the home page of the H4PJ website. Not only will you be able to listen to the prophetic words of Rev. Michael Piazza, you will be able to hear it read with the colloquial, and at times, subtly sarcastic inflection of the iconic Dr. Tim Seelig. 

For short snippets of “The Real Antichrist” audiobook, check out our free weekly selections. We will post a new one each week and you can download them to your PC or MP3 players. Open your iTunes software and click HERE to subscribe today.

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Inside the H4PJ Blog

Our leaders have squandered our wealth Lou Dobbs is many things and, like most folks, has his share of flaws and controversy. But one issue I believe he is on-target is his views on US trade and economic policies. Even if you don't like Lou Dobbs, I invite you to pay attention to his views on what is occurring to our economy. MORE...

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H4PJ Online Action Center
Make a Difference Today!

To better equip our supporters to work for peace and justice in their communities, Hope for Peace & Justice launched the H4PJ Online Action Center to help you and thousands of others to contact your elected officials and the media about important issues and legislation.

With the H4PJ Online Action Center you can:

• stay up-to-date on current legislation and votes
• find who represents you at the Local, State and Federal level
• know how your representatives are voting
• email your representatives
• contact local, state and national media organizations
• Sign up for updates on important legislation

The Online Action Center gives you the ability to quickly and effectively cause change. You can easily find out information about important legislation and send alerts to your friends and family. You have been faithful in taking action with the H4PJ Action Alerts and we know you'll continue to help now as well via the Online Action Center.

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