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3:00 P.M. ET Oct. 3, 2011 | FAIRMONT, W. Va. (UMNS)
United Methodist churches are among the more than 350 churches
nationwide holding DREAM Sabbath observances from Sept. 16- Oct.9. A
UMNS file photo courtesy of Rising Hope United Methodist Mission Church.
View in Photo Gallery
When the Rev. Mary Ellen Finegan of Central United Methodist Church
stood up to preach on a recent Sunday, she knew her message would be
controversial with some members.
She spoke in support of the DREAM Act, a bipartisan bill that would provide a path to citizenship for some undocumented youth.
Central’s Sept. 25 service is counted among the more than 350 DREAM Sabbath observances
taking place in 45 U.S. states Sept. 16 through Oct. 9. A diverse array
of faith communities and DREAM-eligible youth are uniting in this
national effort to urge Congress to pass the DREAM Act.
As Finegan shook hands with congregants after service, she said she
was pleased to receive affirmations of support from people who
previously had opposed the DREAM Act. “Thanks for explaining the
difference between the DREAM Act and amnesty,” one told her.
Another told her: “Well, if the DREAM Act is really the way you
presented it, with all these facts, I am for it! Who wouldn't want
children who grew up with our children to have the same rights that
citizenship can afford?”
The DREAM Act would allow some undocumented immigrant students the
opportunity to earn legal status if they came to the United States as
children, are long-term U.S. residents, have good moral character and
complete two years of college or military service. Last year the bill
was five votes short of passage in the U.S. Senate.
The Rev. John L. McCullough, a United Methodist pastor and director
of Church World Service, said, “Our daughters are the same age as many
of the young people who would benefit from the DREAM Act – an educated
generation of promising immigrant students who have demonstrated a
commitment to hard work. They consider the United States their home and
want to contribute their talents to this country. They are a vital and
valuable asset to this nation.”
Many DREAM Sabbath events will feature undocumented young people who would benefit from the DREAM Act.
DREAMer Lupe was among speakers Sept. 25 at Meridian Street United
Methodist Church in Indianapolis. Brought to the United States as a
small child, she spoke English fluently by the third grade and excelled
in her studies through eighth grade. Then she found out that she was
undocumented.
“It was heartbreaking,” Lupe said. “I started freshman year. My
grades were really bad. I didn’t think there was a point of trying.”
She failed three classes. But during her sophomore year, she got
involved with the Latino Youth Collective, and when she learned about
the DREAM Act, she began to have hope again.
Mercedes Gonzalez displays an armband reading, “Stop Deporting
DREAMers.” She is one of 2 million young people who would be eligible
to apply for citizenship if the DREAM Act becomes law. Photo courtesy of
Tennessee Immigrant and Refugee Rights Coalition.
View in Photo Gallery
“My goal is to become a social worker,” she said. “I love helping
people. I don’t know how long it is going to take, but eventually I
will get there. The DREAM Act would really help.”
Meridian Street’s DREAM Sabbath service also featured a selection of
Bible passages, with the reader noting, “Welcoming the stranger is the
most repeated commandment in the Old Testament with the exception of
the command to worship God.”
Guest preacher Bill Mefford, a director at the United
Methodist Board of Church and Society in Washington, warned
against reducing people to such labels as “illegal.” Instead, we need to
listen to people’s whole story – then engage in the story, he said.
DREAM Sabbath is being organized by the Interfaith Immigration Coalition, in partnership with the United We Dream Network
– the grassroots movement of undocumented immigrant youth, and
longtime DREAM Act champion and sponsor, U.S. Sen. Richard Durbin of
Illinois. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society is a member
of the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.
Information on organizing a DREAM Sabbath observance is available at www.dreamsabbath.org.
*This story is from Church World Service.
News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470 or newsdesk@umcom.org.
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