Faith Allies and October Immigration Justice Month
In an effort to foster greater dialogue about immigration within our congregations, the Allies of Faith of the CU Immigration Forum have launched the second annual Immigrant Justice Month for this October. Events are planned throughout the community, in congregations and public forums, to raise awareness of issues surrounding immigration and the immigrant experience. The calendar below offers the community opportunity to join in conversations approaching the immigration debate from a perspective of faith and justice.
5:00 pm Sunday, October 6 at UniPlace Christian Church, 403 S. Wright St., Champaign.
Beginning of 8-week seminar on Understanding Strife in the Congo. This class will meet weekly on Sundays and will increase understanding of Congolese immigration to our community. Open to the public. Go to unip lace.org for more information.
6:30 pm Monday, October 7 Harvest of Empire: film screening/discussion at Channing Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon, U. This new feature-length documentary, "Harvest of Empire," examines the direct connection between the long history of U.S. intervention in Latin America and the immigration crisis we face today.
Monday, October 14 Fast Day Called: The Allies of Faith of the Champaign-Urbana Immigration Forum have called for religious leaders and others in the community to join in a day of fasting as we pray for successful Comprehensive Immigration Reform for the sake of justice in our community.
7:00 pm Monday, October 14 abUSed: The Postville Raid: film screening/discussion at Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, 309 W. Green, Urbana. This film weaves together the personal stories of those directly affected by the largest, most brutal and expensive Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in the history of the United States. This event took place in Postville, Iowa, in 2008. The documentary presents the human face of immigration, the socioeconomic forces that fuel it, and serves as a cautionary tale against government abuses.
Saturday, October 19 at First Mennonite Church, 902 W. Springfield, Urbana 61801. Food Security Forum: Food for Today, Food for Tomorrow, Food for All. Program is free and includes an evening meal. Interactive shopping and cooking on a Food Stamp Budget begins at 10 am. Information and discussion sessions run from 1:00 – 7:30 pm. Details and meal registration at www.fmc-cu.org.
7:00 pm Monday, October 21 at Channing Murray Foundation, 1209 W. Oregon, U.
Justice in Motion: Responding to Changing Needs with Nicaragua’s Poor Presentation and Craft Display. Craft items will be available for sale.
12:30 pm Sunday, October 27 Food will be served from 12:30-2:00 pm at our Immigration Justice Fair held at University Place Christian Church, 403 S. Wright, Champaign. Faith groups and civic organizations will highlight ways they welcome the stranger and show hospitality to immigrants in Champaign-Urbana. A great networking event. Reserve an info table through https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QXFNUh7yOd1QCRMVY7fI0KrXEdVR1pSBQVW4Hp0EXQ0/viewform
2:00 pm Sunday, October 27 Interfaith Worship Service at University Place Christian Church, 403 S. Wright, Champaign led by faith leaders from many distinct congregations. It will be a moving conclusion to a month-long effort to lift up the needs of our immigrant neighbors today even as we celebrate the immigrant history of our past.
6:00 pm Wednesday, October 30 University YMCA, 1001 S. Wright, Champaign. Dia de los Muertos celebration with live music and light refreshments. A festive celebratory event lifting up immigrant contributions to our community.
7:00 pm Thursday, October 31 “Our View From the Border,” an interactive presentation at
Unitarian Universalist Church of Urbana-Champaign, 309 W. Green, Urbana. Desert aid workers Kate Morgan-Olsen and Ricky Cheney from No More Deaths will offer firsthand accounts of trends in migration; human rights abuse documentation in Nogales, Sonora; migrant support in the Sonoran desert; and allied movement building in communities throughout Arizona with emphasis on a model for organizing that can be replicated in Champaign-Urbana. No More Deaths is a ministry of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Tucson.
