Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe. - Hebrews 12:28
At least seven people (three of whom were Christian) have been killed, and ten wounded, since Turkey started dropping bombs in a region that has a large concentration of Christians. An Evangelical leader there said, “We think this is a message to the Kurds and Christians there to leave, so Turkey can move refugees there. We think it’s a form of ethnic cleansing.”
God, we pray once again for the people of Syria -- including our brothers and sisters in Christ -- who are fleeing for safety in these new waves of bombings. We pray for the powerful people whose decisions can cause or cease this suffering. Give them wisdom, compassion for human life, and give them ears to hear your calling to seek justice and protect those who are vulnerable.
In the fall of 2017, China stopped taking overseas recyclables. After almost two years of being unable to find markets to recycle single-use plastic bags -- forcing the bags to be stockpiled and burned -- Prince Edward Island has found a solution: the implementation of the Plastic Bag Reduction Act on July 1. "We've seen the volume go from, it would probably be about 30 to 40 million bags a year, basically to almost nothing," said the Island Waste Management Corporation’s CEO.
God, for the earth you created, and for all the gifts it offers that sustain us and delight us and nurture us, we are so grateful. We lament the ways that we have used up, worn out, or abused the created world. We give thanks for ways that we can change, and honor your earth once again.
Earlier this year, the State Department rolled out new limits on the U.S. diversity visa lottery — one of the few ways that immigrants can get legal permanent residency in the U.S. outside of employment or a family member. But the proposal didn’t go anywhere in Congress. Now, the administration is restricting who can apply for the diversity visa, making it much harder for low income immigrants to apply. This is one of a long list of ways the administration has used “workarounds” — rules, regulations, proclamations, and more — to make sweeping changes to the legal immigration system in the U.S. without approval or input from Congress.
God, we lift in prayer the United States, and the decision of its leaders. We pray for immigrants who live in the U.S. and feel so unwelcome. For those who long to immigrate. For those who live without papers, and are increasingly afraid. For those who are in seats of power, and must discern how to use their power to best serve their communities and best achieve justice for all. This includes us, Lord. Help us to use our power -- our votes, our voices, our actions -- in ways that honor you, and the hope of the good news.
A handful of US states celebrated their first Indigenous Peoples' Day on Monday as part of a trend to move away from a day honoring Christopher Columbus. From Minnesota to Vermont, at least five states and Washington, DC, have done away with Columbus Day celebrations in deference to Native Americans, though the federal Columbus Day remains in place. Other states celebrate Columbus Day, but they have also symbolically recognized Indigenous Peoples' Day either on the same day or another one. Since 1992, Native American advocates have pressed states to change Columbus Day to Indigenous Peoples' Day over concerns that Columbus helped launched centuries of genocide against indigenous populations in the Americas.
God, we give thanks for changes that honor the dignity, the strength, the gifts, the wisdom, the humanity of Indigenous people. We give thanks for small steps toward reconciliation where harm has been done -- including repentance from those who have done wrong, or who benefit from the wrong that has been done. We pray for our eyes to be opened more and more to injustice -- and that as we grow in our understanding, we might also change our ways.
Kendra is the newest member of the Office of Social Justice team. She joins our team as our Immigration and Justice Specialist. Kendra comes to us with a background in community development. Read more here.
Church Between Borders is a multi-session interactive workshop for groups to reflect on the Biblical mandate to welcome the stranger and consider what that means in our current context. Participants will gain a deeper understanding of U.S. immigration history, how the immigration system works, and current issues and advocacy opportunities. This workshop has been done across the United States in adult education classes in churches, youth groups, schools, colleges, community organizations, and more.
Want to host Church Between Borders in your context? Visit justice.crcna.org/church-between-borders or email Kendra David at kdavid@crcna.org.
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