BCUCC News for Sunday, July 1, 2018

/in /by

News and Upcoming Events

  • Sunday July 1: Bible reading: Numbers 11:24-30. Theme: Spirit Led and Humble. First Food Sunday! Bring food for A.C.T. food shelf. Potluck after Congregational Meeting.
  • Sunday July 1: Congregational Meeting after worship. Nonmembers are encouraged to join us, and have voice, but not vote. We will vote on the 2018-2019 budget, approve the Church’s Profile (resumé), vote on two small bylaws changes, and receive written nominations for the Pastor Search Committee. Please access the documents for this meeting; the Profile (https://breaucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/BCUCC-profile-nopics.pdf) and Bylaws updates (https://breaucc.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/2018-Motions-for-Congregational-Meeting.pdf)
  • BCUCC, with all 5 other UCC churches in OC, was well represented at the OC Pride March last Saturday. Thanks to Dennis and Sarah Brown, Dennis Arp, Shannon Clay, Pastor Terry, Sheila and Hannah McCracken and Sheila’s nephew.  And to Kathryn Kadletz for our new church banner!
  • Summer music and arts: This year’s theme is “Almost Anything Goes”! Dust off that guitar, warm up those vocal cords, pick up your poems and paintings, or grab your friends to share a talent or skill with the congregation. Don’t be shy – feel free to talk to Jessica our Music Director about your ideas and she’ll be happy to sign you up for a Sunday (during the normal choir anthem spot). She is here to support you and your dream in any way she can!
  • Sundays starting July 8: Sing Your Favorites! Come early to worship to sing some of your favorite songs and hymns.  Starts at 9:50.

         Starts in July: Everyday Peacemaking: Compassionate Communication: Tuesday nights July 10 and 24, 7:00-8:30pm, and Thursday mornings July 12 and 26, 9:00-10:30am.  Learn tools to speak your truth respectfully and listen empathetically. Jesus said, “do not judge,” and, “love your neighbor”; here are concrete steps you can use to transform judgment and build relationship.  Real life examples; community members welcome, come any time.
  • Do you know a teen or young adult who would enjoy an “Arts for Activism” summer workshop? We need a critical mass to offer this program.  Participants will analyze how works like “Hamilton” promote constructive dialog for social change, and can express their own passion in the art medium of their choice, including drama, music or visual arts. Please let Pastor Terry know!

Ongoing 

  • Bible Study is Thursdays 9:15-10:15am in the church office. We may take days off in the summer; RSVP to Pastor Terry if you’re not a regular to be sure we’re meeting.  Topic is 2 Samuel (King David).  All are welcome, to discover the intersection of sacred story and modern life with an open mind.
  • This summer, The BCUCC Theological Book Clubwill be reading, Tattoos on the Heart, The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Gregory Boyle.  This moving and delightful book is about kinship and the sacredness of life, about meeting the world with a loving heart, overcoming shame, and staying faithful in spite of failure.  Come join us to discuss Chapters 1-4 on Wednesday, July 11th, and the rest of the book on August 1st.  We meet at 7:00p.m. at the home of Karen and Jim Hill.  For directions, please call 714-693-0261, or email to jandkhill@mac.com.

 

 

Global Ministries: Statement on Immigrant Families

https://www.globalministries.org/statement_on_immigrant_families_from_southwest

 

Southwest Good Samaritan Ministries, a part of UCC/DOC Global Ministries, belongs to a Christian tradition which is committed to using our hearts, our heads, and our bodies to answer God’s call to justice (Micah 6:8). But, what is justice in this situation?

It is not a blanket entry ticket into the United States for everyone. It is our call to justice that families must be kept together, that courts must be properly staffed, that humane conditions are for everyone… every one of God’s children, without exception.

Global Ministries: Statement on Immigrant Families (ctd.)

 

  • As Christians first and Americans second, we call on the government to allow legal services, physical and mental health care, and a system of release/parole to all immigrants seeking asylum after an initial hearing.
  • Families must be kept together, whether the children are with a parent, sibling, aunt/uncle, trusted friend, or grandparent, to provide appropriate physical care and emotional support to each child. This may only be changed if the person is shown not to be a caretaker, but a trafficker or abuser.
  • Elected officials, credentialed journalists, non-profits and churches providing social services and spiritual care should be given access to all immigrants who wish it, after normal background checks.
  • All detainees should be provided appropriate clothing for the weather, and temperatures between 60˚F and 80˚F should be maintained for sleeping and normal daily activities. Babies and toddlers, and all asylum seekers should be provided clean diapers, undergarments, and clothing.
  • All detainees should be given staff, medical and psychological evaluations, and legal services in either their first or second language.
  • Both immigrants and their children and staff at all facilities should have the option for spiritual care and mental health care.
  • A general rule of kindness and well-being should be present in order to model appropriate behavior and set immigrants on their way to being good citizens.
  • When an immigrant claims torture and requests asylum, they should have minimum containment while a mental health assessment is completed, and a report is given to the courts ensuring that they are not malingering.
  • No detainee should be over-medicated or denied their medications.
  • Appropriate educational, recreational, social, and language activities should be provided to all detainees.
  • Where possible, a background check and supporting documents should be used to assist the immigration courts in making just decisions.
  • A timeframe not to exceed 20 days in detention for adults together with their minor family members should result in parole, barring a finding for removal for cause, while awaiting further court deliberations or hearing.
  • This process should not become a money-making venture for private corporations or government officials, their families, and donors.
  • There is a process to ensure that no one is allowed free access to do harm in the U.S., but it means shifting from building walls to building real security with information. It means building relationships that are humane, and not Anti-Human.

Some may say that this is a “cushy deal,” but it isn’t. Detention is still detention, not freedom. And justice requires commitment, not cruelty.

When the power of love overcomes the love of power,
the world will know peace.

– Jimi Hendrix