Jesus said we as disciples are to “love your neighbor as yourself.” And everyone is our neighbor.
Three local events in the next nine days—including a March 6 event at Vine Street—will help you to know how we can all better love our neighbors who also happen to be immigrants and refugees.
Thursday, March 2 at 6:30 p.m.
Finding Balance in Civility, Community and Security
The Temple
5015 Harding Pike
Family of Abraham invites the community to hear Dr. Sayyid M. Syeed. Dr. Syeed is national director of the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), heading its Office for Interfaith and Community Alliances. He has been actively involved in fostering understanding among world religions and has participated in interfaith dialogues from local to international levels. He has served as a member of the Board of Trustees of the Council for a Parliament of the World's Religions.
Stephanie Teatro, co-executive director of Tennessee Immigrant & Refugee Rights Coalition (also known as TIRRC, pronounced “turk”) will participate in the presentation and a Q&A session.
Monday, March 6 at 6:30 p.m.
Sanctuary Cities: Local Options in an Era of Mass Deportations
Fellowship Hall, Vine Street Christian Church
4101 Harding Pike
Featuring the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition, this event is designed to educate folks around the technical aspects of communities of trust or so-called "sanctuary cities." For example, what is an ICE "detainer"? What options do cities have to limit cooperation with immigration enforcement activities? How can we protect our community members in our courts, churches, and schools?
Thursday, March 9 at 7 p.m.
Refugees: Straight Talk
West End Synagogue
3810 West End Ave.
This forum is moderated by Vice Mayor David Briley and will feature:
• Kellye Branson, department director of Refugee and Immigration Services for Catholic Charities of Tennessee
• Greg Siskind, an immigration lawyer and founding partner of Siskind Susser
• Stephanie Teatro, co-executive director of the Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition (TIRRC)
Disciples Tradition Cares, Advocates
As we learn over the next few days about immigration and refugees, and as we serve these neighbors closer to home, we join other Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) ministries across the country.
Disciples Home Missions is a general ministry of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The work of its Refugee & Immigration Ministries "equips Disciples to respond to Jesus’ call to welcome the stranger through refugee resettlement, ministering with immigrants, and advocacy. We provide resources for your congregation, legal consultations, and connections to hands-on mission work."
Click here to learn more about how our denomination is advocating for immigrants and refugees and how you can participate.
Click here to read its recent response to executive orders against refugees and immigrants and accelerated ICE raids.
