“In Our Own Backyard: The Immigration Crisis in Ohio”

featuring The Rev. Dr. Peter Morales, President of the Unitarian Universalist Association

Saturday, September 13, 9:30-3:30 pm

Unitarian Universalist Church of Akron, 3300 Morewood Rd, Akron

The immigration crisis is not something that happens just at America’s borders- it is happening right here in Ohio and affects us all. Our current immigration policies are not working; the flood of children coming into this country brings with them a myriad of social, political, moral and spiritual issues. What can we in a northeast Ohio learn about immigration and what can we do about it? UUA President Peter Morales has been on the foreground of immigration concerns since becoming UUA president. He is convening this emergency conference of Northeast Ohio UU’s with our faith and community partners to consider how we can support immigration reform and respond to the humanitarian crisis of the new refugee immigrant children here among us.

President Morales will be the keynote preacher at the Opening Worship event that will start the day. President Morales and United Church of Christ General Minister Geoffrey Black are inviting our area faith leaders to join them at this event to speak as one voice on the immigration crisis.

Jeff Stewart of the Immigrant Worker Project is leading the panels and workshops, and Carol Temerson of UU Justice Ohio will convene our conversations about organizing strategy. Rev. Tim Temerson and members from our Akron Church have organized the most effective outreach program to the immigrants among us and will be telling us their story. Rev. Melissa Carvill-Ziemer will share news of the national strategy to pressure President Obama to stop the deportations.

Child Care will be available and Youth participation is encouraged. There is no charge for conference program, although a donation for lunch and child care will be requested. We will also be inviting an offering for the Immigrant Worker Project during our morning worship.

The morning will include a panel presentation during which we will be able to hear from immigrants whose lives have been directly affected by this crisis including:

• A child who has recently crossed the border
•  A mother who has recently crossed the border in hopes of family reunification
•  A person who has recently been detained by Border Patrol

Please help spread the word about this important and unique opportunity for learning and growing in our capacity to live our faith!

 

 Sponsored by:

UU Church of Akron          West Shore UU Church          UU Church of Kent

UU Justice Ohio          Immigrant Worker Project