Podcasts about Church World Service

On today's program, the Trump administration cancels grants to refugee aid agencies…despite legal battles. We'll take a look. And, a staggering 30 percent of nonprofits don't survive a full decade—but when they go under, what happens to their assets? Our finance writer Shannon Cuthrell digs into the hidden risks and loopholes of nonprofit dissolutions. And, we've released our MinistryWatch list of the 50 Christian ministries receiving the largest government grants.  But first, the U-S Department of Justice has intervened on behalf of a Pennsylvania church trying to expand. The producer for today's program is Jeff McIntosh. We get database and other technical support from Stephen DuBarry, Rod Pitzer, and Casey Sudduth. Writers who contributed to today's program include Kim Roberts, Jack Jenkins, Yonat Shimron, Jessica Eturralde, Shannon Cuthrell, Tony Mator, Bruce Buursma, Brittany Smith, and Christina Darnell. Until next time, may God bless you.   MANUSCRIPT:    FIRST SEGMENT Warren: Hello everybody. I'm Warren Smith, coming to you this week from Charlotte, North Carolina. Natasha:  And I'm Natasha Cowden, coming to you from Denver, Colorado, and we'd like to welcome you to the MinistryWatch podcast. Warren: On today's program, the Trump administration cancels grants to refugee aid agencies…despite legal battles. We'll take a look. And, a staggering 30 percent of nonprofits don't survive a full decade—but when they go under, what happens to their assets? Our finance writer Shannon Cuthrell digs into the hidden risks and loopholes of nonprofit dissolutions. And, we've released our MinistryWatch list of the 50 Christian ministries receiving the largest government grants. Natasha: But first, the U-S Department of Justice has intervened on behalf of a Pennsylvania church trying to expand. Warren: On March 3, the Justice Department section for the Western District of Pennsylvania filed a statement of interest supporting the Hope Rising Community Church in its lawsuit against the Borough of Clarion. The church has outgrown its current facilities and wants to expand using a facility in the city's commercial district. While Clarion allows nonreligious assemblies in the commercial district, such as theaters, the city would not approve the church's zoning use variance request. Officials from the city allegedly said they didn't “need any more churches” because of the loss of property taxes. Natasha: Hope Rising Community Church filed its lawsuit in November alleging the city was violating the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA), a federal law that protects houses of worship from discrimination in zoning. When Clarion filed a motion to dismiss the church's claim, the Justice Department intervened. Warren: The city argued the church had not suffered any concrete injury as a result of Clarion's actions, the DOJ argued that the city's zoning code has “stymied [the church's] efforts to buy and develop the only suitable property for the church in Clarion.” As of March 2024, the DOJ had opened over 155 formal investigations and filed nearly 30 lawsuits related to RLUIPA's Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) land use provisions, and had filed 36 “friend-of-the-court” briefs addressing the interpretation and application of RLUIPA in privately-filed lawsuits. Natasha: Next, The Trump Administration cancels grants to refugee aid agencies. Warren: President Donald Trump's administration is making moves to shutter a decades-old partnership between the government and a group of mostly religious organizations to resettle refugees, with the State Department abruptly canceling grant agreements with all the agencies despite ongoing legal battles. On Wednesday (Feb. 26), refugee resettlement organizations, such as Church World Service, Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society, and the U.S.

In episode 2 of NAWL's Bridging Divides series, NAWL member Autumn Tertin engages in a compelling conversation on immigration with Jennie Guilfoyle from VECINA. They explore the recent shifts in immigration policy and address the critical implications of immigrant-focused disinformation under the new presidential administration. Tune in to learn more about VECINA's volunteer opportunities and discover how you can take action.To learn more about VECINA and how you can actively combat immigrant hate, visit: Get Involved - VECINA. Your support makes a difference. Jennie Guilfoyle is VECINA's Legal Director. She has worked in the immigration field for 25 years. most recently as the former Deputy Director for the Immigration Justice Campaign at the American Immigration Council. Before joining the Council, she spent four years as an Attorney Adviser at the State Department in the Bureau of Consular Affairs, working on issues ranging from citizenship to intercountry adoption. Prior to that, she worked for many years as a Senior Training Attorney at the Catholic Legal Immigration Network, designing and leading in-person and online trainings on a wide range of immigration law topics. She also worked at Church World Service, where she trained refugee resettlement programs on immigration law and program management. She began her legal career as an Equal Justice Works fellow at the New York Association for New Americans, where she represented asylum seekers and VAWA applicants. Jennie studied English as an undergraduate at Harvard, and earned her J.D. at New York University School of Law. Autumn Tertin is an Attorney in McLane Middleton's Corporate and Immigration Department, where her practice focuses exclusively on U.S. employment-based immigration law.  She assists employers across the U.S. with temporary and permanent visa solutions in a wide variety of industries.  Autumn also assists immigrant investors and entrepreneurs, as well as other specialized foreign nationals such as individuals with extraordinary ability, professors and researchers, and those seeking national interest waivers.  In addition, she works with many New England employers seeking short-term staffing solutions through the H-2B visa program.  Autumn also handles I-9 audit and compliance matters, and is a frequent presenter to the HR community on these topics.  She works with area universities on student visa issues and I-17 certifications as well.Autumn serves as Chair of the National Association of Women Lawyers Immigration Law Affinity Group and is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation. She has also served as the NH USCIS Liaison for the American Immigration Lawyers Association New England Chapter. Autumn was previously selected as a Super Lawyers New England Rising Star in 2021 – 2023, an honor only bestowed upon 2.5% of attorneys per state.  She is a lifetime member of the Polish Women's Alliance of America (now part of FCSLA), and has held various chapter officer positions within the organization.  Autumn is also a former Vice-President of the Polish American Congress of New Hampshire.Prior to joining McLane Middleton, Autumn was an Attorney at GoffWilson for over 10 years.  She has been active in the immigration law field since 2005, having worked as a Legal Assistant/Paralegal for several Metro Detroit immigration firms prior to and during law school. Autumn earned her Juris Doctor from Western New England University School of Law as a Public Interest Scholar, and is a member of the New Hampshire Bar.  She received her B.A. in Political Science, summa cum laude, from the University of Detroit Mercy.

As new legislation and political rhetoric fuel fear and uncertainty in immigrant communities, it's more important than ever to uplift the voices of those on the front lines. In this encore episode of Built By Us, former Democracy Summer communications friendtern Zainab Adamou-Mohamed interviews Yahtrip Abdelgadir, a refugee community organizer with Church World Service Greensboro. Together, they discuss the unique experiences of first-generation immigrants and their critical role as changemakers, storytellers, and advocates for justice. At a time when immigrant communities are under attack, this conversation is a reminder of their power, resilience, and impact in the movement. Tune in.Support the showFollow Us on Social MediaFacebook: @DemocracyNorthCarolinaInstagram: @democracyncTikTok: @democracyncX: @democracync

Episode 80 of Messy Jesus Business podcast, with Sister Julia Walsh. Podcast: Play in new window | Download Subscribe:  Email | RSS | More "I think it goes back to humility, you know, just being willing to genuinely listen to the other side." -Kelly Moltzen IN THIS EPISODE In the latest episode of Messy Jesus Business podcast, Sister Julia Walsh FSPA chats with Kelly Moltzen. They discuss Kelly's early Franciscan influences and how they affected her decision to study health disparity and food justice as a lay Franciscan. "Everything is connected," Kelly says, "and the way that we treat our environment is going to have direct impacts on your health." They also discuss efforts to depolarize our communities, and the work of Braver Angels. The work of reaching out to those who think differently is difficult, but necessary. "I think it's important that we don't get caught up in group think," Kelly says, "that we all are able to seek things out for ourselves." Name Drops: Shane ClaibornePope FrancisThich Nhat HanhFr. Richard RohrImmanuel SwedenborgSimran Kit SinghJohn Duns Scotus Topics Discussed: Franciscan spiritualityintentional communityfood justiceenvironment/ecologycommunion and interconnection with creationdepolarizationinterfaith workappreciating differenceshumilityspiritual entrepreneurship Books Mentioned: The Irresistible RevolutionLaudato SiThe BibleThe Mystic HeartThe Light We Give Kelly Moltzen ABOUT THE GUEST Kelly Moltzen is a co-founder and convener of the Interfaith Public Health Network, which inspires people of faith to be agents of change in transforming communities into ones that promote health and well-being for all. She is a Registered Dietitian, has her Master's of Public Health, and is a member of the Secular Franciscan Order. She is serving as a co-chair of the Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation commission of the Franciscan Federation, and is part of the core group of the Intergenerational Eco-Justice & Spirituality Network which is supported by the Franciscan Federation. Kelly was a 2021-2022 Abrahamic House fellow, and a 2022 Rockefeller-Acumen Food Systems Fellow. Her Rockefeller Food System Vision Prize proposal, Faith Communities Leading the Way Towards Healthy, Sustainable Food Systems, reached the semi-finalist stage. Kelly has worked to address health disparities in the Bronx with Bronx Health REACH for 14 years, and is also supporting the Chief Impact and Sustainability Office of Church World Service as a consultant, helping to promote faith community engagement in the National Strategy on Hunger, Nutrition and Health. MESSY JESUS BUSINESS is hosted by Sister Julia Walsh.  Produced and edited by Colin Wambsgans. Email us at messyjesusbusiness@gmail.com BE SOCIAL:https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MessyJesusBusiness Twitter: @messyjesusbiz Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/messyjesusbusiness SUPPORT US: https://www.patreon.com/messyjesusbusiness

In this enlightening episode of "Walk Talk Listen, Abdi Iftin, a remarkable storyteller and author, discusses his journey from war-torn Somalia to a new life in the United States. This episode delves deep into themes of resilience, hope, and navigating the uncertainties that life presents. Abdi shares poignant memories of his childhood in Mogadishu, painting a vivid picture of life amidst conflict and the challenges he faced growing up in a war zone. We discover how Abdi's passion for storytelling became a lifeline, and he recounts the perilous journey that brought him to the U.S., highlighting the moments of uncertainty and the incredible resilience required to navigate such a path. Maurice and Abdi discuss the cultural and personal adjustments Abdi had to make upon arriving in the United States, including the new challenges he faced and how he overcame them. Abdi offers inspiring advice for anyone facing their own uncertainties, emphasizing the importance of hope, perseverance, and the power of community support. Abdi Nor Iftin was born in Mogadishu to nomadic parents and survived famine, war, and child soldiering. Teaching himself English through American action films, Abdi became a guerrilla journalist, sharing his life stories through the series "Messages from Mogadishu" on NPR, the BBC, and This American Life, and was shortlisted for a Peabody Award. After surviving a bombing at his house in 2009, Abdi fled to Kenya, where he and his brother lived as refugees. In an incredible stroke of luck, he won entrance to the U.S. in the 2014 annual visa lottery, although his journey to America was fraught with challenges that nearly stranded him in Nairobi. Now based in Maine, Abdi is a bestselling and award-winning author with ten years of experience in refugee resettlement and currently works as the communications specialist at Church World Service. As an advocate for the rights of newly arrived immigrants, he is dedicated to uniting people through his stories of survival and resilience. Abdi became a United States citizen in 2020 and graduated from Boston College with a degree in Political Science in 2022 and now pursuing his law degree. He is also a regular columnist for the Portland Press Herald.   For more information on Abdi's work at CWS, check this link. Listener Engagement: Discover the songs picked by Abdi and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.  Connect with Abdi: Instagram, Facebook and  Twitter. Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us. Follow Us: Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter and Instagram. Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives. Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All" featuring CWS, and as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

In this episode, we are joined by Noel Andersen who recently spoke at the Ecumenical Advocacy Days 2024 Spring Summit domestic workshop. As the National Field Director for Church World Service he has been at the forefront of mobilizing faith communities across the United States to support immigrants and refugees through actionable solidarity. He brings a rich background of community development and organizing from his time in Central America and along the U.S.-Mexico border. An ordained minister in the United Church of Christ (UCC), Noel is also a co-founder of the UCC National Collaborative on Immigration, a grassroots initiative aimed at galvanizing UCC leaders in the fight for immigrants' rights. His commitment to social change is further evident in his work with the Refugee Leadership Development for Social Change project at CWS, which has empowered thousands of refugees with skills in community organizing. For more information on Noel's work at CWS, check this link. Listener Engagement: Discover the songs picked by Noel and other guests on our #walktalklisten here.  Connect with Noel: Instagram, Facebook and  Twitter. Share your thoughts on this episode at innovationhub@cwsglobal.org. Your feedback is invaluable to us. Follow Us: Support the Walk Talk Listen podcast by liking and following us on Twitter and Instagram. Visit our website at 100mile.org for more episodes and information about our initiatives. Check out the special WTL series "Enough for All" featuring CWS, and as well as the work of the Joint Learning Initiative (JLI).

Today we welcome back Adam Smedberg from Church World Service, an organization committed to transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.

Kelly Moltzen is a Co-founder and co-convener of the Interfaith Public Health Network, which helps organizations and faith communities to create impactful relationships to advance public health. She is a Registered Dietitian, has her Master's of Public Health, and is a member of the USA Secular Franciscan Order. Kelly was a 2022 Rockefeller-Acumen Food Systems Fellow. Her 2021 Rockefeller Food System Vision Prize proposal, Faith Communities Leading the Way Towards Healthy, Sustainable Food Systems, reached the semi-finalist stage. She is a steering committee member of the Center for Earth Ethics' Faith and Food Coalition, and was named to Hunter College's NYC Food Policy Center 40 Under 40 Class of 2020. Kelly has worked to address health disparities in the Bronx with Bronx Health REACH for 13 years, and is also currently supporting the Chief Impact and Sustainability Office of Church World Service as a consultant.    Kelly her social media handles are: Twitter/X, Facebook and Instagram and her organization IPHN: Twitter/X, Facebook,  Instagram. The website is: iphnetwork.org   The songs picked by all our guests can be found via  our playlist #walktalklisten here.    Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org.  We also encourage you to check out the special WTL series Enough for All about an organization called CWS. 

Guest: Craig McIlroy Denver Lead The Light the World Giving Machines came to Denver in 2019.  The Light the World Giving Machines are vending machines for charity, you can buy an item for someone in need.  You decided on the amount you want to spend and the item. This year they are working with five local non-profits and two global non-profits.  This year the local non-profits they are working with the Colorado Hosting Asylum, The Delores Project, Global Down Syndrome Foundation, and Volunteers of America.  The two International charities are Church World Service, American Red Cross.  They are located on Cherry Creek North and will be there from November 16 until December the 24th and 100% of the donations go to that charity.    https://givingmachinesdenver.org/

Rev. Dr. David Vásquez-Levy serves as President of Pacific School of Religion in Berkeley, California –a progressive, multi-denominational seminary and center for social justice that prepares theologically and spiritually rooted leaders to work for the well-being of all. A committed pastor, a nationally recognized higher education and immigration leader, and a sought after speaker, Vásquez-Levy leads at the intersection of faith, higher education, and social change.   David is committed to innovation and access in theological education and leadership formation. He serves on the GTU Consortial Council, is co-founder and convener for the Latinx Presidents and Deans of ATS schools, and is a member of the executive leaders group of AshokaU campus network and the Asociación para La Educación Teológica Hispana (AETH). He also serves as Vice-Chair on the board of Church World Service, one of the largest ecumenical development agencies in the world, and the Advisory Council for Encore.org.   He regularly contributes a faith perspective to the national conversation on immigration, including speaking at a congressional briefing, immigration consultations with the both the Obama and the Biden White House, engaging in a series of public conversation with various State Attorneys across the country in an effort to reframe our national conversation about immigration. He has worked on consulted on a number of documentaries on immigration, labor, and human rights and is the author of various publications that explore migration stories in sacred texts and in peoples lives.   David has lived in four countries, including working on refugee resettlement in Canada, and taught courses and led international study and service trips across the globe. He holds a Bachelors Degree in Computer Science from Texas Lutheran University and a Master of Divinity and Doctor of Ministry degrees from the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago, including studies at Ludwig Maximilians University in Munich, Germany.     Social media handles of the University: Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Linkedin.   The songs picked by all our guests can be found via  our playlist #walktalklisten here.    Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org.  We also encourage you to check out the special WTL series Enough for All about an organization called CWS.  The 11th 100 mile walk campaign will continue until the summer, find more info via de 100mile.org website. Or go straight to our fundraising page.

Africa is the second largest continent in the world, both in land area and population. It has more than 1.2 billion people — most of them young and poor — living in 54 countries. If current demographic trends continue, Africa will account for a quarter of humanity by the middle of this century.In Africa, conflicts are more often within countries rather than between them. Sudan and Ethiopia are current examples.Today, al Qaeda and the Islamic State are active across Africa. So is the Wagner Group, a lawless private army loyal to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.And China's ruling Communist Party has become a neo-imperialist power on the continent, exploiting African peoples and resources.Joining host Cliff May to talk about Africa is Joshua Meservey.He's currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, where he focuses on African geopolitics, counterterrorism, and great power competition in Africa.He was previously a research fellow for Africa at the Heritage Foundation. He's also worked at the US Army Special Operations Command, for Church World Service based out of Nairobi, Kenya, and he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia. And he's a member of FDD's National Security Network.

Africa is the second largest continent in the world, both in land area and population. It has more than 1.2 billion people — most of them young and poor — living in 54 countries. If current demographic trends continue, Africa will account for a quarter of humanity by the middle of this century.In Africa, conflicts are more often within countries rather than between them. Sudan and Ethiopia are current examples.Today, al Qaeda and the Islamic State are active across Africa. So is the Wagner Group, a lawless private army loyal to Russian dictator Vladimir Putin.And China's ruling Communist Party has become a neo-imperialist power on the continent, exploiting African peoples and resources.Joining host Cliff May to talk about Africa is Joshua Meservey.He's currently a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute, where he focuses on African geopolitics, counterterrorism, and great power competition in Africa.He was previously a research fellow for Africa at the Heritage Foundation. He's also worked at the US Army Special Operations Command, for Church World Service based out of Nairobi, Kenya, and he was a Peace Corps volunteer in Zambia. And he's a member of FDD's National Security Network.

THE KELLY CARDENAS PODCAST PRESENTS Vicki Clark is an optimist. She loves people and shows up in the world as a learner and a servant leader. Based in Memphis, Tennessee, Vicki has devoted the past 30 years of her career to building capacity of: for profit and nonprofit organizations and individuals; inspiring community and business leaders to take action.  She is known for her work in the specialty areas of leadership development, diversity, equity, inclusion, accesses and belonging, antiracism and facilitation, board development, strategic planning, volunteer resource development and effective communication. Her work spans dozens of corporate clients, nonprofits and government organizations. She sits on the National Diaper Bank and Youth Volunteer Corps. As a BoardSource Certified Trainer she is a regular facilitator on topics such as Exceptional Boards, Board Best Practices, Imbedding DEIAB into Your Board Culture, Leadership, Leadership Transition for various non profit organizations including United Way, the Association of Junior Leagues International, St. Jude, National Audubon Society, Church World Service, National Association of African American Museums, Sigma Kappa,  American Bar Association, numerous state and local Bar Associations, and the TN Supreme Court .  Her work as a consultant, coach, trainer and speaker have given her infinite opportunities to learn from and share with people from all walks of life. She meets people where they are, never gives up, and believes in the power of prayer. Even at her age and with all that she has experienced, she continues to be A WORK IN PROGRESS.  THE HIDEOUT Be sure to check out my new audiobook SUCCESS LEAVES CLUES (THE 7 P'S THAT CAN SHIFT YOUR REALITY) Thank you to our sponsors PRIVATE MONEY CLUB  USE CODE - KELLY500 MONEY SCHOOL TABLE ONE HOSPITALITY RAVEN DRUM FOUNDATION THE MINA GROUP SECRET KNOCK FAMECAST Findlay Volvo Las Vegas Samaritans Feet Cardenas Law Group Squeeze Dried Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation BLING SHINE SERUM-The #1 seller of over 15 years and the only product to be endorsed by my MAMA! MORE KELLY “JOY IS THE ART OF FALLING IN LOVE WITH YOUR CURRENT CIRCUMSTANCES AND ALLOWING MAGIC TO HAPPEN!” EXECUTIVE PRODUCER BROOKLYN CARDENAS --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/kelly-cardenas/message

Jeff and Sharon Kenyon are the Renton CROP Hunger Walk coordinators for close to 40 years now, they share how it started with their daughter and how their walk is now part of the top 100 CROP Hunger Walks in the US. We also talked about both the Sustainable Development Goals as well as the Inner Development Goals. Last but not least, they invite those living in Renton to their upcoming walk on April 31, 2023. Like all CROP Hunger Walk this walk support hunger activities globally through Church World Service.  Locally it supports the work of Salvation Army Renton Rotary Food Bank, South King County Shelter Program (previously ARISE), Margie Williams Helping Hands Center, Society of St Vincent De Paul Food Program, REACH Center of Hope and REACH Meal Coalition. For now, I invite you to support the 11th 100 mile walk that will take place in the Seattle area and surroundings from March 27 - April 1, 2023. For more info go to 100mile.org   The songs picked by all our guests can be found via  our playlist #walktalklisten here.    Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org.  We also encourage you to check out the special WTL series Enough for All about an organization called CWS.  Stay tuned for the 11th 100 mile walk that will take place from March 27 - April 1, 2023 in Seattle, WA area, find more info via de 100mile.org website. Or go straight to our fundraising page.

CWS Virtual Side Event (Zoom)  The Necessity of Inner Development for the Full Achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)  February 7, 2023 1:15 - 2:30 PM EST CSocD 61 Priority Theme Creating full and productive employment and decent work for all as a way of overcoming inequalities to accelerate the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic & the full implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development   Event Concept Note At a point approximately halfway through the 15 year time period to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), it is critical that all actors strategize around full implementation and achievement of the 2030 Agenda. Leveraging highly effective partnerships and applying lessons learned from the first seven years of the SDGs are necessary, and community-level engagement and leadership will continue to be critical. The role of the individual, and their personal journey toward their sustainable development will also be a critical lens for program design and implementation over the second half, and throughout the final years leading up to 2030.   The interconnectivity of the goals is also inextricably linked to the complexities of each person and their own capacities, interests, goals and lived experience - to name a few. This session will look at the Inner Development Goals (IDGs) as a key means to help the world achieve the SDGs.    The IDGs (https://www.innerdevelopmentgoals.org/) concern each humans' 1) being; 2) thinking; 3) relating; 4) collaborating, and; 5) acting. These five areas of the individual will be the lynchpin to help sustainably shift toward sustainable interests, habits, efforts, and unleash creativity and innovation.  Panelists will discuss how program models and approaches have shifted since the adoption of the 2030 Agenda in 2015 and how the role of program participants - as individuals - has shifted, including their roles in program design, community leadership and their personal goal setting and action. This will take into consideration inequity in access to basic services and disproportionate consequences - especially for marginalized and displaced people. This will be explored through several perspectives of our speakers with different backgrounds.   Speakers   Maurice A. Bloem, Chief Sustainability and Impact Officer, Church World Service (moderator) Dr. Michael Trice, Director of the Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement, Spehar-Haliligan Associate Professor, Seattle University Ntombentsha “Portia” Tengani, RDP Project Manager, Church World Service Africa  Sophia Robele, Foresight Specialist Consultant, UNDP Wardah Khalid - Foreign Affairs Officer at the US Department of State, but during this event she (re)presented: Founder and Board President, Poligon Education Fund  

Learn more about local refugees in your community and how Church World Service helps them once they land in our country. Learn how we have started partnering with Church World Service and maybe even get an idea on how you can volunteer with us!

Karen Gonzalez is an immigration advocate and the author of Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration.  In this episode, Karen Gonzalez, helps us understand both the challenges of immigration and how we, the church, can love and bless those who have immigrated in ways that are healthy and lifegiving for everyone. THIS EPISODE'S HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE:Karen Gonzalez is an immigration advocate and the author of Beyond Welcome: Centering Immigrants in Our Christian Response to Immigration.Karen Gonzalez shares the story of how her understanding of immigration developed over time.Church ministries that focus on immigration don't generally center on the immigrants; they tend to focus on the church and its people.Think about the words that you use and whether your words are creating an “us and them” or just creating a “we.”The words we use can sometimes be unintentionally dehumanizing.Hospitality should not be one-directional—from the non-immigrant to the immigrant.  Hospitality should be mutual, flowing in both directions.Karen Gonzalez shares the story of a woman who said she appreciates Mother Mary because Mary knows what it feels like to have her son killed by the state—which is how this woman's son died, too.We all do theology from somewhere.Karen Gonzalez describes the richness that those who are not immigrants can experience when they learn from the experiences of those who are immigrants.Ministry leaders should reflect on where their understanding of immigration comes from.Karen Gonzalez offers some ways that people and churches can help immigrants and refugees.To find out how to best help immigrants visit World Relief, International Rescue Committee, Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services, and Church World Service.RELEVANT RESOURCES AND LINKS:Karen Gonzalez:TwitterInstagramBooks mentioned:Beyond Welcome, by Karen GonzalezBeyond Thingification, by Markus WatsonImmigration Resources:World ReliefInternational Rescue CommitteeLutheran Immigration and Refugee ServicesChurch World ServiceEngaging God's Mission online course (with special Christmas offer)Growing Where God is Working online course

Diana Muresan, of the Church World Service, sat down to talk with the CEIE Student Affiliates: Prabhjeet Kaur, Sofia Sayabalian, and Zachary Dar. Together, they discussed the importance of Diana's work, religious literacy, and how to not feel overwhelmed when addressing global hunger.More from The Religica Theolab at https://religica.org More from The Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement at Seattle University at https://www.seattleu.edu/thecenter/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Religica.org/Twitter: https://twitter.com/religica YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPuwufds6gAu2u6xmm8SBuw Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-religica Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3CZwIO4uGP1voqiVpYdMas?si=0k2-TSmwTkuTQC2rgdGObQ Apple Podcasts: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/religica/id1448005061?mt=2 The Religica Theolab is a comprehensive online platform at the axis of religion and society that provides non-sectarian, coherent, integrated and accessible awareness about the role of religion in society, with a focus on strengthening local communities.

Joanne Rendal is the CFO and Senior Vice President at Church World Service. Joanne who joined CWS in 1985 has been mentioned by several WTL podcast guests as a person who embodies what CWS is all about. After all these years with CWS, she is not only still very passionate and committed about the work, but also has a lot of faith in the future: " I do have a lot of confidence in them (younger generation) and it will be better and it will be a different world. Invigorating". You can also follow her on Facebook.   We made a special Playlist #CWSsongs consisting of songs chosen by many of our podcast guests.   Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow @mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org (and find out more about our app (android and iPhone) that enables you to walk and do good at the same time!

William (Bill) Wildey, took early retirement from Church World Service following 31 years of service. During his tenure at Church World Service, Bill traveled to many countries around the world. He has taught workshops on effective public speaking, storytelling, major gift fundraising, and more. Bill has hosted and been a guest on many radio and television programs through the years. Early in his career, he worked with singer/songwriter Harry Chapin in his efforts to address global hunger. Throughout his career, he has worked with various performers, including Pete Seeger, Lou Rawls, Noel Paul Stookey (Peter, Paul, and Mary), Tim Janis, and others. Following his retirement, Bill served as Interim Pastor at Zion United Church of Christ in South Bend, Indiana before he and his wife, Maureen, moved to Ponte Vedra. At present he is the Adult Ministry Director of Palm Presbyterian Church in Florida. You can find them on Instagram and Facebook. 

This is an interview with Rev. Craig B. Mousin, an Adjunct Faculty member of the DePaul University's College of Law, Refugee and Forced Migrations Studies Program and the Grace School of Applied Diplomacy. The podcast celebrates all those who worked to defeat the amendments that tried to codify Title 42 in August, 2022.  In addition, as we celebrate Labor Day 2022, we give thanks for all those immigrants who came to our nation, offered their skills and fostered families that have contributed to the common good.ACTION STEPS Thank your Senator(s) if they voted to defeat the anti-immigrant amendments to the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022.  If your Senator(s) voted for an amendment, redouble your efforts to urge them to convince them to end Title 42.   Urge Congress to pass the Afghan Adjustment Act.  Church World Service provides you with a link to send your email at:  https://cwsglobal.org/action-alerts/take-action-urge-congress-to-swiftly-pass-the-bipartisan-afghan-adjustment-act/Faith leaders are invited to urge the Biden administration to increase the number of refugees to be resettled in the next fiscal year to 200,000.  Church World Service provides you with a link to send your email: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScphVDWU93gJA5Q6ZLYcYyCbDsFwPYKjCindlkhO2Bz-dgC9Q/viewformAll are urged to encourage Congress to increase refugee resettlement to 200,000.  https://cwsglobal.org/action-alerts/take-action-urge-congress-to-welcome-refugees-rebuild-the-u-s-resettlement-program/To be most effective please respond prior to Tuesday, September 6.  Thank you.RESOURCESInformation on the efforts to amend the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 came from Greg Chen's “Senate Passage of Legislation Without Immigration.”  You can find additional information on the congressional action in his post:  https://thinkimmigration.org/blog/2022/08/08/why-were-celebrating-the-senates-passage-of-legislation-without-immigration/Find John McCutcheon's research about the deportees who died in 1948 and his version of Woody Guthrie's song, “Deportees,” at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxsPL4uEo34 Visit his website at:  https://www.folkmusic.comFind Emma's Revolution song, “Bound for Freedom” at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uo9PVE_RxMI  Visit their website at:  https://www.emmasrevolution.comWe welcome your inquiries or suggestions for future podcasts.  If you would like to ask more questions about our podcasts or comment, email us at: mission.depaul@gmail.com  

Rick Augsburger has worked for more than 25 years as a leader in the international development and humanitarian sector, focusing on leadership, staff resilience, program growth and strategy and is he a founding partner of the Konterra Group.   Prior to joining the KonTerra Group, Rick served as the deputy director of the Headington Institute (2007-2008), Director of Emergency Programs (1996-2005) and Deputy Director (2005-2007) for Church World Service, an international relief and development agency. He has a BA in Business Administration and is a graduate of the Harvard Business School Executive Leadership program in Performance Measurement and Management for Nonprofit Organizations.   Rick was also regional advisor for the United States Agency for International Development-OFDA in East Africa and the associate director for Mennonite Disaster Service. He brings more than twenty years of experience in humanitarian programming. He has traveled extensively working on relief and development programs in more than 70 countries. He has also led disaster rapid response teams and participated as a trainer and consultant for numerous humanitarian agencies.   From 2000 to 2005 Rick served as the co-chair of InterAction's Humanitarian Policy and Practice Committee. Prior to that he was a member of InterAction's executive board of directors and represented the U.S.-based humanitarian community on the United Nations Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Working Group.   My conversation with Rick Augsburger took place in 2021.   For more info about CWS, please check out this website. The Konterra Group is on Facebook and Twitter. You can also find Rick on Facebook.   We made a special Playlist #CWSsongs consisting of songs chosen by many of our podcast guests.   Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow @mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org (and find out more about our app (android and iPhone) that enables you to walk and do good at the same time!

Richard L. Santos is the President and CEO of Church World Service. Prior to assuming this role in 2021, Rick was the President and CEO of IMA World Health. He led IMA World Health through several strategic pivots that positioned the agency well for the future. Immediately before becoming the President and CEO of CWS, Rick spent about two years assisting nonprofit CEOs and boards of directors to develop comprehensive approaches to building organizational resilience and relevance. He provided strategic advice and consulting services to U.S.-based, senior non-profit leadership as they consider adaptive and technical strategies and supports efforts of civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, networks and facilities to achieve organizational change and build capacity, focusing on leadership and governance, both in developed and developing country contexts. Rick was not new to CWS when he became President and CEO. Earlier in his career, Rick spent more than a decade with CWS. He began as a Program Officer with our team in Vietnam before rising through the ranks to eventually become Coordinator of Strategic Planning and Evaluation. He went on to serve as the Director of Communication and Advocacy at International Relief and Development before joining IMA World Health. In total, Rick has more than two decades of experience working for and with faith-based organizations, including more than a decade of living and working in Asia. Rick is an expert in engaging and partnering with civil society in the development process, and his developmental approach includes building and prioritizing robust local and regional partnerships—communities, organizations and networks—which he believes are the key ingredients to successful and sustainable development work. Rick holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School, a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from George Washington University.   This is part 2 of two episodes with Rick Santos.   For more info about CWS, please check out this website.  Rick is on Twitter and Facebook.   We are also making a special Playlist #CWSsongs consisting of songs chosen by our podcast guests.   Please let me/us know via our email incubationlab@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow @mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org (and find out more about our app (android and iPhone) that enables you to walk and do good at the same time!

Richard L. Santos is the President and CEO of Church World Service. Prior to assuming this role in 2021, Rick was the President and CEO of IMA World Health. He led IMA World Health through several strategic pivots that positioned the agency well for the future. Immediately before becoming the President and CEO of CWS, Rick spent about two years assisting nonprofit CEOs and boards of directors to develop comprehensive approaches to building organizational resilience and relevance. He provided strategic advice and consulting services to U.S.-based, senior non-profit leadership as they consider adaptive and technical strategies and supports efforts of civil society organizations, faith-based organizations, networks and facilities to achieve organizational change and build capacity, focusing on leadership and governance, both in developed and developing country contexts. Rick was not new to CWS when he became President and CEO. Earlier in his career, Rick spent more than a decade with CWS. He began as a Program Officer with our team in Vietnam before rising through the ranks to eventually become Coordinator of Strategic Planning and Evaluation. He went on to serve as the Director of Communication and Advocacy at International Relief and Development before joining IMA World Health. In total, Rick has more than two decades of experience working for and with faith-based organizations, including more than a decade of living and working in Asia. Rick is an expert in engaging and partnering with civil society in the development process, and his developmental approach includes building and prioritizing robust local and regional partnerships—communities, organizations and networks—which he believes are the key ingredients to successful and sustainable development work. Rick holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Johns Hopkins University's Carey Business School, a Masters of Theological Studies degree from Harvard Divinity School, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from George Washington University.   For more info about CWS, please check out this website.  Rick is on Twitter and Facebook.   We are also making a special Playlist #CWSsongs consisting of songs chosen by our podcast guests.   Please let me/us know via our email innovationhub@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow @mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org (and find out more about our app (android and iPhone) that enables you to walk and do good at the same time!

Betty Voskuil was the chair of the Church World Service board from 2004-2007 and represented the Reformed Church of America for many years on the board of CWS. She lives in Holland, Michigan and studied at the University of Wisconsin - Madison in Wisconsin. She wrote Reformed Church in America's (RCA) booklet entitled The Ministry of the Deacon. She has been the Coordinator of Reformed Church World Service for many years as well.   For more info about CWS, please check out this website.  The Facebook page of Betty is: Facebook.   We are also making a special Playlist #CWSsongs consisting of songs chosen by our podcast guests.   Please let me/us know via our email incubationlab@cwsglobal.org what you think about this new series. We would love to hear from you.   Please like/follow our Walk Talk Listen podcast and follow @mauricebloem on twitter and instagram.  Or check us out on our website 100mile.org (and find out more about our app (android and iPhone) that enables you to walk and do good at the same time!  

On this episode of Feudal Future, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky are joined by Dan Hanniher of Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service and Erol Kekic of Church World Service. This show discusses the ever pressing issues of refugees.Erol Kekic is a senior vice president at Church World Service (CWS), where he leads the Immigration and Refugee Program. CWS is one of nine refugee resettlement agencies in the United States, and it also operates the Resettlement Support Center Africa in Nairobi, Kenya.Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS) is the largest faith-based nonprofit dedicated to serving vulnerable immigrants, asylum seekers and refugees in the U.S. For more than 80 years, LIRS has been a champion for migrants and refugees from around the globe.BRAND NEW:From Chapman's Center of Demographics & Policy, Joel Kotkin & Marshall Toplansky co-author the brand new report on restoring The California Dream.If you haven't downloaded the report, see it here: https://joelkotkin.com/report-restoring-the-california-dream/Visit Our Pagewww.TheFeudalFuturePodcast.comSupport Our WorkThe Center for Demographics and Policy focuses on research and analysis of global, national, and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time. It involves Chapman students in demographic research under the supervision of the Center's senior staff.

Virtual Voices of Divinity is an ongoing conversation series that showcases the unique impact of HDS alumni in the world. This talk featured Palwasha Kakar, MTS '04, Interim Director of Religion and Inclusive Societies at US Institute of Peace, Rick Santos, MTS '92, President and CEO at Church World Service, and Karen Tse, MDiv '00, Founder and CEO of International Bridges to Justice. This event took place on March 1, 2022. Learn more: https://hds.harvard.edu/alumni-friends

Today on the show we've got Rick Santos, CEO of Church World Service, and Patricia De Jong, Board Chair for Church World Service.  CWS is one of the longest standing humanitarian agencies in the country.  They do disaster relief work.  They work to make sure people across the world have food and clean water.  And they are one of the largest agencies helping resettle refugees, settling over 800000 in the US.  

Join us for the third event in a 4-part series by the Center for Constitutional Rights and Haymarket Books marking the 20th anniversary of 9/11. In “Stories of Survival: Surviving the post-9/11 human rights crisis and reclaiming rights for all,” we are honored to hear from survivors of the U.S. government's so-called “War on Terror,” who have resisted the U.S.' campaign of human rights abuses, from endless wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, to the global export of the nebulous and discriminatory “terrorism framework”, and the proliferation of domestic policies of surveillance and detention that reinforced existing systems of oppression. From Kabul and Mombasa to Omaha--panelists will share the impact of the harms and together demand accountability and imagine a world repaired. Panelists: Marie Ramtu holds a master's degree in Peace Studies and International Relations from Hekima University College. She's a lobbyist with grassroots, regional, and international niches. Her experience in humanitarian, the human rights and social justice sectors spans at least 14 years. Marie has operated to safeguard the rights of the marginalized refugees and asylum seekers. She has also had a specific focus in influencing a shift in attitude, policies, and practices in the specific protection on the rights of sexual and gender minorities. Before joining Muslims for Human Rights (MUHURI) as the Executive Director, Marie worked with regional and international non-governmental organizations that include the Coalition for the Independence of the African Commission (CIAC), the Network of African National Human Rights Institutions (NANHRI), and Church World Service. Born in Kabul, Afghanistan and raised in rural Washington state, Gazelle Samizay's work often reflects the complexities and contradictions of culture, nationality and gender through the lens of her bicultural identity. Her work in photography, video and mixed media has been exhibited across the US and internationally, including at Whitechapel Gallery, London; Los Angeles Municipal Art Gallery; the California Museum of Photography, Riverside; the de Young Museum, San Francisco; and the Slamdance Film Festival, Park City, UT. In addition to her studio practice, her writing has been published in One Story, Thirty Stories: An Anthology of Contemporary Afghan American Literature and she is a founding member of the Afghan American Artists and Writers Association. Samizay has received numerous awards and residencies, including from the Princess Grace Foundation, NY; Craft Contemporary, Los Angeles; the Arizona Community Foundation, Phoenix; Level Ground, Los Angeles, the Torrance Art Museum, and Side Street Projects, Los Angeles. She received her MFA in photography at the University of Arizona and currently lives in San Francisco. www.gazellesamizay.com. @gsamizay. Naveed Shinwari is a plaintiff in Tanvir v. Tanzin, a case brought in 2013 on behalf of American Muslims who were placed or kept on the No-Fly List by the FBI for refusing to spy on their Muslim communities. He was repeatedly questioned and harassed by the FBI as they attempted to recruit him to spy on others. As retaliation for his refusal to do so, Naveed was placed on the No-Fly List and unable to travel to Afghanistan to visit his wife and daughters for two years. His fight to hold government officials accountable for their abuse of power continues. Moderator: Samah Mcgona Sisay is a Bertha Justice Fellow at the Center for Constitutional Rights, where she specializes in international human rights and challenging inhumane immigration policies and abusive police practices. Prior to coming to the Center for Constitutional Rights, Samah worked as an Equal Justice Works Fellow at African Services Committee. Watch the live event recording: https://youtu.be/1bClT5GmLJk Buy books from Haymarket: www.haymarketbooks.org Follow us on Soundcloud: soundcloud.com/haymarketbooks

PHaith Stories: Saints, Sinners, & Spicy Takes! Rev. Kathleen McMurray and Rev. Jay Clark Global Ministries has worked closely with a partner in Afghanistan (since 1966) addressing community health and community development needs. You can support this work through the Advance #3020522. See: Community-Based Health & Development in Afghanistan – Global Ministries (umcmission.org) UMCOR (United Methodist Commission on Relief) is responding to the immediate humanitarian needs of people in Afghanistan. Donations to UMCOR's International Disaster Response can be made at: https://umcmission.org/international-disaster-response/ Church World Service, a Methodist partner organization, is working on the resettlement of Afghan families in the USA. To find out how to support this work, go to: https://cwsglobal.org/take-action/afghan-siv-and-refugee-program/ Finally, there is an urgent need for advocacy to protect all Afghans who are fleeing violence or who fear persecution. Church World Service offers helpful guidance at: Take Action: Urge the Administration to Expand Refugee Protections for Afghans Fleeing Violence and Persecution | CWS (cwsglobal.org)

Mary Catherine Hinds of Church World Service talk about the Ration Challenge. This is now a yearly event in which people pledge to eat for one week the same rations that a refugee eats in a camp after fleeing their country. The Ration Challenge will be held from Sunday, June 13 – Saturday, June 19, 2021. As stated on the CWS website: Conflict and disaster-affected communities around the world are among the most impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. A hand up—not a handout is what the challenge is about. In the podcasts is a reference to several YouTube videos, of which, the links are provided here: To find out about the ration challenge is this link: https://www.rationchallengeusa.org and to donate: https://www.rationchallengeusa.org/donate YouTube link to Ration Challenge video https://youtu.be/Us7KdEDGLgk Second video https://youtu.be/Sz93YUFyUQg Ration Challenge | Message from Fatima Third video https://youtu.be/S9LuuzWqD-g Production Kitchen Please consider making a difference by joining this challenge.

Host Naomi Prioleau checks in with Prince and Laurette Mushunju about their experience emigrating from the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and how they are trying to bring family members to the U.S. We also hear from Megan Shepard, the director of Church World Service in Greensboro, about the organization's efforts to help refugees land on their feet when they come to the Triad.

Rev. Jack Amick, Director of Global Migration, United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).  He directs UMCOR’s Global Migration portfolio and represents the global migration work of the General Board of Global Ministries.  In his coordination of Global Migration work, Amick serves on the United Methodist Immigration Task Force, on advisory committees for Church World Service, the board of NJFON, the ACT Alliance Migration and Displacement Reference Group, and maintains relations with several migration/refugee organizations. He has been serving at UMCOR for over seven years, 4 years of which involved the direction of disaster response programs. Amick served as pastor at local United Methodist Churches for seven years. Prior to being ordained as a United Methodist elder, Amick served two years with the Refugee Admissions Office of the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration at the U.S. Department of State and two years as Vice-Consul for Economic Affairs at the US Consulate in Mumbai, India.  As Desk Officer for Eastern Europe at the Peace Corps, Amick designed crisis responses to flooding in Central Europe and post-war recovery in Bosnia and Herzegovina.  In 1985, he volunteered for one year as director of Christian education for the seven Methodist Churches in the Caribbean nation of Grenada.  He has led the response to disasters in different contexts, including managing disaster damage assessments and family services with the American Red Cross.  Amick spent one year working with homeless individuals in the suburbs of Washington, DC.  He has been part of UMVIM teams that responded to needs in Grenada and Liberia as well as in the United States.  Amick has a Bachelor of Arts in International Service and Economics from The American University in Washington, DC, a Master of International Management from the Thunderbird School of Global Management in Arizona, and a Master of Divinity from the Boston University School of Theology.  Amick enjoys the outdoors, playing bagpipes, and writing liturgical prayers and poetry.  He is the father of two young adults and the husband of Rev. Susan Amick, United Methodist Deacon, who serves as Chaplain with Wesley Woods Senior Living in Atlanta.

In this episode of Different Boat, Same Storm, Atharv and Abhay talk with Rev. Dr. Michael Reid Trice.     Michael Trice is an Associate Professor of Constructive Theology and Theological Ethics and Director of the Center for Religious Wisdom & World Affairs at Seattle University.   Trice studied at Loyola Jesuit University, Duke University, the Lutheran School of Theology in Chicago, and Ludwig Maximillian Universitaet in Munich, Germany.     He served as Executive Associate for Ecumenical and Interreligious Dialogue for the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America and on the Board of Directors for Church World Service; he currently serves on the Board of the Parliament of the World's Religions. He is the Founder of Religica.org, a platform committed to amplifying influencers from religious traditions, spiritual pathways, and indigenous wisdom as forces for good in the world. This is a conversation you don't want to miss.  

Our series of Hunger Talks continues with this week's guest Jon Skogen. Jon is the National Community Engagement Manager for Church World Service. He works for CROP Hunger Walks to help them with their work to raise money and awareness for the hungry. To learn more about Church World Service and their global outreach https://cwsglobal.org/about/history/ Please join us on our 38th annual CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, May 2, 2021 in our #virtualCROPWalk https://www.crophungerwalk.org/oakparkil

On this episode of Feudal Future, hosts Joel Kotkin and Marshall Toplansky are joined by Rev. John L. McCullough, President Emeritus of Church World Service. CWS is a global ecumenical organization specializing in Development and Humanitarian Assistance, Immigration and Refugee Services, Justice and Human Rights. Headquartered in NYC with primary offices in: Bangkok, Belgrade, Buenos Aires, Elkhart (IN), Hanoi, Islamabad, Jakarta, Miami, Nairobi, Phnom Phen, Vientiane, Washington, D.C. CWS is also branded as CROP Hunger Walks, and is a major sponsor of the Ecumenical Advocacy Days. Mission Statement: Church World Service works with partners to eradicate hunger and poverty and to promote peace and justice around the world.Learn More about CWS here: https://cwsglobal.org/Join the 'Beyond Feudalism' Facebook group to share your story, ask questions and connect with other citizen leaders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/beyondfeudalismTweet thoughts: @joelkotkin, @mtoplansky, #FeudalFuture #BeyondFeudalismLearn more about Joel's book 'The Coming of Neo-Feudalism': https://amzn.to/3a1VV87Sign Up For News & Alerts: http://joelkotkin.com/#subscribeThis show is presented by the Chapman Center for Demographics and Policy, which focuses on research and analysis of global, national and regional demographic trends and explores policies that might produce favorable demographic results over time.

Abigail Oduol is an Individual Gifts Officer at an environmental nonprofit. She received her undergraduate degree from the University of California Irvine in Political Science followed by a Master's in Transformational Urban Leadership. Her experiences have spanned the globe from attending a humanitarian mission in Ecuador, to studying at St. Paul's University in Kenya, and fundraising with Akiba Mashinani Trust on land rights and advocacy for clean water and sanitation facilities for urban slums. She also worked with Church World Service, an international full-service humanitarian development agency, first as a curriculum development intern, then as a refugee resettlement caseworker, and finally as a Field Team Leader across Kenya, Ethiopia, and Chad. Join us as we talk about identifying calling in our lives, the roles we play in other people's calling, and how calling can change over time. We explore themes of vocation, affinities, and circumstantial adaption.

Late last month, President Donald Trump told Congress that his administration plans to further slash the ceiling for refugee admissions during the fiscal year that began on Oct. 1, to 15,000 from an already historically low 18,000. The new limit is less than one-seventh the 110,000 slots that former President Barack Obama approved in 2016. As The New York Times put it, Trump has “virtually sealed off a pathway for the persecuted into the country and obliterated the once-robust American reputation as a sanctuary for the oppressed.” This comes as the number of refugees worldwide continues to grow. According to the United Nations, there are currently around 80 million forcibly displaced people around the world, including 26 million refugees and more than 4 million asylum-seekers. Trump’s opponent in next month’s presidential election, Joe Biden, has said he will raise the cap on refugees to 125,000. But should he win, he will have his work cut out for him in repairing the U.S. refugee program. Today on Trend Lines, WPR’s Elliot Waldman is joined by Meredith Owen, interim director of policy and advocacy in the Immigration and Refugee Program at Church World Service, to discuss the Trump administration’s campaign to undermine the U.S. refugee program and what it will take to rebuild it. Relevant Articles on WPR: Trump’s Latest Immigration Restrictions Are Ill-Advised—and Un-American Has the World Learned the Lessons of the 2015 Refugee Crisis? The World Has Lost the Will to Deal With the Worst Refugee Crisis Since World War II The Failed Assumptions Behind Central America’s Refugee Crisis Trend Lines is produced and edited by Peter Dörrie, a freelance journalist and analyst focusing on security and resource politics in Africa. You can follow him on Twitter at @peterdoerrie. To send feedback or questions, email us at podcast@worldpoliticsreview.com.

This week Ali talks to Adamou Mohamed, an organizer and civic engagement coordinator with Church World Service. He leads their efforts working with refugee leaders on voter registration, education, and turnout. He and Ali spoke about the unique experiences and challenges refugee voters face, and the importance of building engagement across communities. 

Author and Refugee Resettlement Coordinator Kate Rice joins the podcast. Link to Kate's Book:  How The Refugee Crisis Unites Americans (https://www.amazon.com/How-Refugee-Crisis-Unites-Americans-ebook/dp/B082XJCG21) We discuss refugee resettlement and the surprising way it unifies the left with the right, the secular with the religious, particularly in the Bible Belt and other red states. Get Involved Below: Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services  https://www.lirs.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.lirs.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638658330&sdata=xXt2UqLYTxNMjHt0E%2B84MIH6ApOMiyDV2z%2FDH4M0VNU%3D&reserved=0) World Relief  https://worldrelief.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fworldrelief.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638668326&sdata=EvHNtNAZDNyzgBzUKbK3ykUYFkzxyO4A3YdmcG7POHc%3D&reserved=0)   Church World Service  https://cwsglobal.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcwsglobal.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638668326&sdata=uJutu0oozNFv7ThvDw3CcAgqvMXx42aAnXaJb%2FV%2Bxi4%3D&reserved=0) HIAS  https://www.hias.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.hias.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638678316&sdata=e4GYALjw5R1lqb2Yw1wZZPiM6m7RRYQUeLSYA7Gt92s%3D&reserved=0) US Committee for Refugees and Immigrants  https://refugees.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Frefugees.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638678316&sdata=Vw4tn0NTUynDyp5Zz5KzbjPQwyz08WDNJGqovG60%2FJI%3D&reserved=0) International Rescue Committee  https://help.rescue.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fhelp.rescue.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638688313&sdata=qOhY0mi68kGLIAnlOJZvu2gEBoAgUucCW04cuS0wpto%3D&reserved=0) . Episcopal Migration Ministries  https://episcopalmigrationministries.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fepiscopalmigrationministries.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638688313&sdata=obVZYMyrxTr5TplTkT5QNkNSoeIYLKl0YIgwm7H4LQQ%3D&reserved=0) UNHCR UN High Commissioner for Refugees  https://give.unrefugees.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fgive.unrefugees.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638688313&sdata=ieV29m3Bx7FnlytZoXcL8iqYwHteTgNTpovP5agFlCQ%3D&reserved=0) American Business Immigrant Coalition  ABIC.US (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http%3A%2F%2Fabic.us%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638698310&sdata=yRt1c%2FIm731mUAuInR9rfObSrzX7LmyW6ZDU2ykQRYQ%3D&reserved=0) Maine Business Immigrant Coalition  https://mainebic.org/ (https://nam05.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmainebic.org%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%7Cf8f1c22e15e54c23c4fb08d7b95c959b%7C3e24825a65844593b7bb3ed4c822a155%7C0%7C0%7C637181679638698310&sdata=2c7%2BMXD7dy4Yywm31U39xod7NFq5lSW%2BptiEeBeH5gs%3D&reserved=0) Texas Business Immigration Coalition  https://www.texasbic.biz/...

Mary Ellen Poe, development director for Church World Service Greensboro preached this sermon on Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019. Church World Service helps refugees build stable lives.

Refugees and refugee resettlement agencies are facing incredible uncertainty following measures by the Trump administration to significantly curtail refugee entry to the lowest admittance since the 1970s.  To gain a better perspective the impact these policy changes have on refugees and resettlement agencies, we speak with Stephanie Gromek, the communications coordinator for Church World Service, one of the largest refugee resettlement organizations in the United States.  In this episode we also chat with Hamzeh Alturk, a Syrian student now studying at Miami Dade College following the outbreak of the Syrian Civil War.  Hamzeh shares his own experiences which help to better comprehend the challenges and aspirations a displaced person might face. This piece was produced by Jaydeep Sangha, and narrated by Siddharth Srivatsan, Alexandra Thomas, Jeff Duncan, and Yusa Parcali

Sunrise looks at new rules from Florida’s Agriculture Department imposing limits on forest and agricultural burning. Before any controlled burn of an entire field of sugarcane remnants, they will now have to check things like fog and the air quality index. Also, on today’s Sunrise: — Good news for hard-hit Bay County. The Federal Emergency Management Agency approved almost $160 million to help pay for the cost of hurricane debris removal. — Speaking of the Panhandle, there’s a major kerfuffle at Rebuild 850 — the organization created to aid in the recovery of the region after Hurricane Michael. Former Congresswoman Gwen Graham was removed as co-chair of the committee because of tweets she made that were critical of Gov. Ron DeSantis. —A group of Florida faith leaders signed onto a letter-writing campaign from the Church World Service to U.S. Senators Marco Rubio, Rick Scott and the rest of Congress urging them to restore the U.S. refugee acceptance program. — Florida Man Nathaniel Collier, a vendor at Miami's Hard Rock Stadium, charged a fan $362 apiece for two beers. He was promptly arrested.

Every organization faces “tough times” - be it a bad quarter, unexpected staff turnaround, or an even more mission critical challenge - like the one Sheila Mastropietro has faced for the last 3 years. Sheila is the Director of Church World Service in Lancaster, an organization that assists refugees, immigrants and asylum-seekers to find home, peace, and stability to rebuild their lives in the United States. The current White House administration's policies have sent shockwaves across organizations like CWS as they desperately try to continue their important work in the face of so many legislative, legal, and cultural challenges. In this candid and important conversation, Work Wisdom's Sarah Colantonio talks with Sheila about how she keeps her head above water and stays focused on the work she was put here to do. Find out how Sheila rebounds from disappointment and what skills and focus you need to keep your eyes on the prize in your own tough battles at work - and in your community. You can follow Work Wisdom on LinkedIn, Instagram, and Twitter at @workwisdom, and learn more at our website at https://www.workwisdomllc.com.

Today we welcome Adam Smedberg from Church World Service, an organization committed to transforming communities around the globe through just and sustainable responses to hunger, poverty, displacement and disaster.

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and welcome ministry of the Episcopal Church. This episode's interview features The Rt. Rev’d David C Rice, diocesan bishop, and Tom Hampson, both from the Diocese of San Joaquin. Bishop David was formerly the Diocesan Bishop in the Diocese of Waiapu in the Anglican Church in Aotearoa/New Zealand and Polynesia. Prior to David’s consecration as the fifteenth Bishop of Waiapu, he was Dean of the Cathedral of St. Paul’s in the Diocese of Dunedin in New Zealand. And before David’s deanship, he was Vicar of Mt. Herbert Parish on Banks Peninsula in the Diocese of Christchurch also in NZ. David became an Anglican Priest in 1997, prior to that he was a United Methodist Minister.David has been involved in the ministry with young people for many years. He was the Youth Liaison Bishop representing the House of Bishops in the “youth scene” in the three tikanga (cultures) church in New Zealand. Equally, David is a strong “ecumenist” and has a history of exploring ways in which the church can be far more collaborative and collegial across denominations and faiths. David also has a heart for social justice ministry and continues to seek ways in which the church can join with all of God’s People wherever they are. Tom Hampson is co-chair of the Immigration Task Force for the Episcopal Diocese of San Joaquin. He's also a Candidate to the Diaconate and will complete his studies at the School for Deacons at Church Divinity School of the Pacific next month. Presently retired, Tom worked for Church World Service for 31 years in the areas of constituent education, marketing and fundraising. Learn more about the Pilgrimage of Hope and how you can get involved at www.thepilgrimageofhope.org. Follow along on twitter and instagram @SJRAISE. We invite you to join us for an event hosted by both The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries called Love God, Love Neighbor: Advocacy in Action. This two day gathering June 27 and 28 in Washington DC will provide both messaging and advocacy training, as well as a full day on the Hill advocating on behalf of refugees and the refugee resettlement program. Learn more at episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln Have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers? Interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up today! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partnersinwelcome Follow EMM on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram where we are emmrefugees. Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song composer is Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com.

Hometown is a podcast from Episcopal Migration Ministries, the refugee resettlement and welcome ministry of the Episcopal Church. Reflection author and Interview Guest: This week’s reflection author and interview guest is Drocella Mugorewera, Executive Director of Bridge Refugee Services, the only refugee resettlement agency in East Tennessee since 1982. Mugorewera came to the United States in 2009 as a refugee herself and was resettled by Bridge Refugee Services, an affiliate partner of Episcopal Migration Ministries. Drocella is passionate about dignity for all and socio-economic and environmental justice. She believes that with proper management of all the abundant natural resources and being open to new ideas, we can minimize the homelessness in America. Drocella previously served as a Parliamentarian and Secretary of Lands, Environment, Forestry, Water, and Mines in the Government of Rwanda. Drocella is a Board member of Tennessee Valley Homeless Coalition and the Refugee Congress, the only national advocacy organization led by refugees and for refugees. A graduate of the 2017 class at the Consortium for Social Enterprise Effectiveness -Haslam College of Business, she has been recognized by the Knoxville Mercury as one of 10 women making a difference in Knoxville TN. She completed 2018 Leadership Knoxville class. She currently serves on the Connect Knox Steering Committee. Mugorewera is also an active member of the Knoxville Association of Women Executives (KAWE). Mugorewera was honored as one of the 34th Annual YWCA Tribute to Women finalists. In November 2018, Mugorewera received the Champions for Change award from Church World Service. Drocella is one the 2019 Peacemaker award recipients from the Oak Ridge Environmental Peace Alliance. Drocella speaks five languages including English, French, Russian, Kinyarwanda and Kirundi. Drocella likes reading, traveling and visit places, networking and empowering/helping people. We invite you to join us for an event hosted by both The Episcopal Church Office of Government Relations and Episcopal Migration Ministries called Love God, Love Neighbor: Advocacy in Action. This two day gathering June 27 and 28 in Washington DC will provide both messaging and advocacy training, as well as a full day on the Hill advocating on behalf of refugees and the refugee resettlement program. Learn more at episcopalmigrationministries.org/lgln Have a question about how to be most helpful in serving refugees, immigrants, and asylum-seekers? Interested in sharing your work or your congregation's work? Eager to make connections with other people who are doing the same kind of work and learn from one another? Join Partners in Welcome, a free online community that offers a chance for engaging conversation, connection with people all over the country who care about these issues, and a wealth of resources and learning opportunities. We have so much to gain from sharing information and experiences with one another. Sign up today! www.episcopalmigrationministries.org/partnersinwelcome Join in the work of welcome by making a donation to Episcopal Migration Ministries. No gift is too small, and all are put to use to welcome our newest neighbors. Visit episcopalmigrationministries.org/give or text HOMETOWN to 91999. Our theme song was composed and recorded by Abraham Mwinda Ikando. Find his music at www.abrahammwindamusic.com Episcopal Migration Ministries: www.episcopalmigrationministries.org, www.facebook.com/emmrefugees, Twitter & Instagram, @emmrefugees

Greetings from the 2019 government shutdown!  As I record this podcast, we’re in the middle of the longest government shutdown in history.  The central issue of the shutdown is immigration, and the central object is a wall. My guest today is Noel Anderson, Grassroots Coordinator for Immigrants’ Rights for the United Church of Christ and Church World Service.  I’ve got big questions about this shutdown, and Noel is the person I go to whenever I have questions about immigration policy. He’s going to walk us through this minefield of divided politics and help us get to the root of the crisis unfolding here in Washington.

DOMESTIC VIOLENCE impacts everyone. The Women's Safe House has been helping women and children since 1977 and serves as a haven for women and families who are in immediate danger and are fleeing domestic violence. The services they offer play an integral part in our community by helping those who lives are shattered by this problem. https://twsh.org/ CROP Hunger Walk: CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools and others to raise funds to end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. Be a part of this 70 year old effort at Eden Seminary on October 7. https://www.crophungerwalk.org/saintlouismo/ https://www.crophungerwalk.org/

CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by religious groups, businesses, schools and others to raise funds to end hunger in the U.S. and around the world. In addition, each local CROP Hunger Walk can choose to return up to 25 percent of the funds it raises to hunger-fighting programs in our own community. Clint McCann highlights information about the 2018 CROP Hunger Walk which will be held at Eden Seminary with registration/check-in at 4:30PM, Walk at 5:00PM and CROP Concert at 7:00PM. https://www.crophungerwalk.org/saintlouismo/

Coming Home                                                                           Luke 7:36-50                          A Sermon preached by Rev. Malcolm Frazier, Foundry United Methodist Church August 5, 2018 One of our most endearing sentiments is that of “Coming Home.”  It has a universal appeal and touches us in a special way.  Some of our most popular movies are about coming home.  You might recall some of these:  Movies: Argo – Ben Affleck plays a CIA agent who launches a plan to rescue six Americans in Tehran during the US hostage crisis in Iran in 1979. Lion – starring Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman. The story of a 5-year old Indian boy who gets lost in the streets of Calcutta, thousands of kilometers from home.  He survives many challenges before being adopted by a couple in Australia.  25 years later he sets out to find his lost family. The Martian – Matt Damon and Jessica Chastian.. Matt plays an astronaut who becomes stranded on Mars after his team assumed he was dead. The Trip to Bountiful – stars the late Geraldine Page as a woman who wants to return to her home during the post-World War II 1940s. When she gets there she finds that the town is deserted. She is moved to tears as she surveys her father’s land and the remains of the family home. Accepting this reality she is at peace – she had gone back home before she died. Lassie Come Home – starring Roddy McDowall, Elizabeth Taylor, and the canine actor, Pal. The movie is set in Depression-era Yorkshire, England.  Lassie’s owners are poor, so they sell their dog to a rich Duke.  His granddaughter knows that the dog is unhappy so arranges for her to escape. Lassie sets off to go home and escapes many dangers before returning to her home. 12 Years A Slave – Chiwetel Ejiofor plays Solomon Northrup, a free African-American man who is 1841 is kidnapped in Saratoga Springs, New York and enslaved again. After some intervention by key people, he is restored to freedom and returns to his family after 12 years. As he walks into his home, he sees his wife with their son and daughter (fully grown) and her husband, who present him with his grandson and namesake, Solomon Northrup Staunton.  Northrup apologizes for his long absence while his family comforts him. Rabbit-Proof Fence – an Australian film set in 1931, about 3 mixed-race Aboriginal young girls who are kidnapped and placed in a camp where they are to be trained to be servants to white families. The three girls escape, one is captured again, and the other two follow a rabbit-proof fence and walk 1500 miles in nine weeks to get back home.  Personal stories of coming home When I came home from college Coming home from England as a first-year student Homecoming in the Black Church Homecoming on Howard’s campus 50-year high school reunion Whenever I came home for the holidays I would drive through my hometown.  Sharon Daloz Parks writes in Big Questions Worthy Dreams that it has been said that home is the most powerful word in the English language.  It is where we start from.  It is what we aspire to.  To be at home is to have a place where we are comfortable; know that we belong, can be who we are; and can honor, protect, and create what we truly love.  To be home within one’s self, place, community, and the cosmos is to feel whole and centered in a way that yields a sense of power and participation.  (To be at home is to be in a special rhythm of life, engaging in patterns of work, play, and diverse relationships.  We have a support system, etc)  Diana Butler Bass in Grounded writes that home happens in numerous geographies and in a number of different dwellings. Home is more than a house. It is a sacred location, a place of aspiration and dreams, of learning and habit, of relationships and heart. People are out of place.  Transient moderns make their homes in new places.  I have been a transient.  When I accepted a position with Global Ministries in New York, I sat in an empty apartment in Maryland the day before and cried and cried and cried.  When the Board moved its headquarters from New York to Atlanta, I moved with it and sat in an empty apartment prior to leaving and cried and cried and cried.  When I was informed that my appointment with the Board was ending, I accepted an appointment in Washington, DC.  The day before I left Atlanta, I sat in an empty apartment and cried and cried and cried.  I cried because I had established a strong relationship in each place and the people had made me feel at home.   TRANSITION  Diana reminds us that home can be a place of horror as well. Too many people have experiences of a home that shelters sickness and addiction, of homes that deteriorate from carelessness and neglect, or homes broken apart through willful violations of the relationships in them, resulting in reports of domestic violence.  I would add reports of incest.  Some social scientists refer to home-centered violence as intimate terrorism.   Those who have no home: The homeless in our midst – mention the ID ministry Those kids kicked out of their homes because they are LGBQT Those who are part of the global migration crisis A recent report from the GBCS share that an estimated 65.3 million people were displaced from their homes by conflict and persecution. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied children are annually apprehended at U. S. borders. For refugees Church World Service reports that the wait in a refugee camp is at least 10 years. Church World Service reports that the vetting process for refugees can take up to two years. Only the most vulnerable are referred, accounting for less than 1% of refugees worldwide being resettled.  TRANSITION  Now let’s look at the Lucan passage that was read this morning. Explore with me how this text informs our theme of Coming Home. While the themes of sin and forgiveness are important, I will focus on how the three main characters relate to each other. This story is set in Galilee early in Jesus’ ministry. Simon the Pharisee – a member of the group of Jewish people who followed a strict code of religious laws. They play the role of Jesus’ opponents, practicing a lifestyle of separation from unbelievers or Jews outside of their own group. The word Pharisee means “separated.” They consider themselves more holy and righteous than ordinary men. In fact, Luke reports in the 30th verse that the Pharisees refused to be baptized by John and rejected God’s purpose for themselves. So why did the Pharisee invite Jesus to his house for dinner? Let’s begin with the fact he could. He had the wealth and thus the power to do so. And he could be selective about who he invited. His attitude is ambivalent – he addresses Jesus as Teacher but did not show hospitality. Why not? Perhaps because he was busy hosting his other guests that he was trying to impress. Simon was perhaps giving Jesus an assessment, trying to determine his credentials. The Pharisee, with his arrogance, represents those who look down on others. (talk about the scene in “Philadelphia” when the librarian looks with disdain on Tom Hanks’ character) The woman – who is referred to as a sinner Elisabeth Schussler Fiorenza in an essay from In Memory of Her points out that the story does not say what kind of sinner the woman was. A sinner could be a criminal, a ritually unclean or a morally bad person, a prostitute, or simply the “wife of a notorious sinner.”  (Jesus was always in the company of people like her and others) Look at her actions – she enters the dinner scene uninvited, ignoring the boundaries of class and patriarchy. She washes Jesus’ feet and dries them with her hair. Touching or caressing a man’s feet could have sexual implications, as did letting one’s hair down in public. She created quite a scene. Jesus – so what does he do? Jesus challenges us to confront the Pharisees in our society. He exposes Simon’s lack of hospitality (he did not greet him with a kiss, offer him water to wash his feet, or offer to put oil on his head) In the Middle East the importance of honor and shame is very high. Jesus showed bad table manners by insulting his host and in doing so becomes the host, as evidenced by his encounter with the woman. I would like to suggest that Jesus presents a model for how we should confront people and structures that prevent everyone from being included, feel wanted, affirmed and protected. We say NO to immigration policies that prevent us from welcoming the neighbor. We say NO to the Book of Discipline that would deny T. C. Morrow the privilege of serving as an elder. We say NO to institutions that tolerate the abuse of the elderly, the mentally challenged or other vulnerable We say NO to the racism in our penal system, causing a disproportional number of black and brown persons in mass incarceration. We say NO to sexism in Corporate America and our churches. We say NO to white supremacists, participating in love rallies. We say NO to racial profiling. We say NO to schools that pass kids through who cannot read.  TRANSITION  As I approach my conclusion, let’s look at the importance of the scene being one of a dinner. I frame this again around the work of Diana Butler Bass, who writes in Grounded about John Wesley’s emphasis on holy habits and declares: Home is a training ground for spiritual and ethical habits that we take out into the world, with the door and table being the school for holy habits. It is around tables where we learn what to eat and how, ways to set a table for special meals or guests, how to share customs and traditions, and how to serve others. (share personal story about Cambodia or China) The table is the earthly manifestation of God’s presence, the “heavenly feast,” where all are fed and sustained and no one suffers from the lack of anything. This closely aligns with the Pacific Islanders practices of reciprocity and mutuality. Times of fellowships and meals are inherently spiritual as they promote the body’s growth by making the mundane sacred. Meals are never just a time of eating, it is always a time of sharing the journey. Meal times are times of celebration and feasting. The abundant display of food affirms the bountiful providence of God, a celebration of what God is able to do in the midst of scarcity. (share about my meals with them)  As I reflect on this text, I marvel at how Jesus, by assuming the role as host, transforms this home into a sacred place where all are welcome. All means all. Larry Stookey writes in Eucharist that Jesus’ fellowship is a manifestation of a new creation, which embraces all who are discriminated against in the course of human activity. To this feast, all are invited by God on equal terms. No one approaches the feast by means of merit, but all are invited by grace. There no one can boast or dominate or exclude, for this is Christ’s feast.  Christ is the host and the one who sets the rules (of acceptance, mutuality, and inclusion). Maya Angelou writes that the ache for home lives in all of us, the safe place where we can go as we are and not be questioned. Foundry UMC, as I come home to my annual conference, I will partner with you to welcome anyone who wants to join our family – anyone who wants to make Foundry UMC their home.  No one will be excluded.  

Greg and Jeff are doing some amazing things to create social change in developing countries through the power of entrepreneurship. It was amazing to have them on the show and hear about their upcoming program, Career X and how YOU as a member of Successful Dropout can get involved.  If you are interested in entrepreneurship, looking for an adventure, and want to challenge yourself...how better to do it than going to Guatemala to build a business?? The adventure is 2.5 weeks long and you'll experience all the steps of launching a business: design thinking and prototyping, marketing, content creation, supply chain strategy, customer experience and more. You'll also be working with Jeff and Greg who have been building impactful businesses for over 15 years!  The first Guatemala program runs May 24 - June 10 so hurry and check it out here! This is your chance to gain unforgettable and invaluable entrepreneurial experience + have a crazy adventure you'll always remember.  About Greg Van Kirk & Jeff Hittner Greg Greg Van Kirk is an Ashoka Lemelson Fellow, Ashoka Globalizer and was recently recognized as Schwab Foundation "Social Entrepreneur of the Year for 2012 (Latin America)" at the World Economic Forum. He is the co-founder of Career X and The New Development Solutions Group. This includes Community Empowerment Solutions, Social Entrepreneur Corps and Ultimiya Social Innovation Consulting. Greg's signature social innovation was the creation of the award winning MicroConsignment Model. He has served as a consultant for organizations such as Levi Strauss Foundation, USAID, Chemonics, VisionSpring, Soros Foundation, Church World Service, Inter American Development Bank, Water For People, Solutions Journalism Network and Fundacion Paraguaya in the US, Latin America, Eastern Europe and Africa. Greg began working in rural small business development as a Guatemala Peace Corps volunteer in 2001. Prior to the Peace Corps, Greg worked in investment banking in San Francisco and New York for five years. Two deals he led at UBS during this time won "Deal of the Year" honors from Structured Finance International magazine. Greg is a graduate of Miami University where he recently received the"Bishop Medal" . Greg lives with his family in New York City.  Jeff Jeff leads Your Project X, a social venture dedicated to helping people (re)discover their purpose to build careers they’ll love. He has more than 18 years experience as an entrepreneur, consultant, professor and changemaker. He is the founder of five social ventures, including IBM’s Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) consulting practice. In 2011, he developed the curriculum for the first MBA in Sustainability on the East Coast, at Bard College, where he was the Leadership professor. He was also two-time Chairman of the Carnegie New Leaders at the Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs. Resources Career X - go check it out!  THANK YOU! Thanks again for listening to the show! If it has helped you in any way, please share it using the social media buttons you see on the page. Additionally, reviews for the podcast on iTunes are extremelyhelpful and greatly appreciated! They do matter in the rankings of the show and I read each and every one of them. Join the Successful Dropout Nation! Subscribe to the Successful Dropout Podcast. Join our private Facebook Group! Follow @successfuldropout on Instagram!

This week we look at readings for Advent 4 as well as Christmas Eve following the Revised Common Lectionary. We also will hear a powerful conversation with Rev. Noel Anderson, the National Grassroots Coordinator for Church World Service and the coordinator for immigration advocacy for the United Church of Christ, Justice and Witness Ministries. How do we recognize the moment we're in as Mary did? How can our work for immigration justice lead to collective liberation?

After hinting at it for weeks, President Trump this week announced his plan to do away with the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, over the next six months, as he urges Congress to take up the matter of replacing it with solid legislation. Activists fear that Congress, with an already full agenda, will not be able to act, and as many as 800,000 persons will be at risk.   Today we talk with Rev. Noel Andersen with Church World Service. Noel has been working for years with immigrants and offers many key insights into DACA, the Dream Act, and the state of limbo President Trump’s latest decision leaves these young people who, for the most part, have never known any home other than the United States.

Presented in partnership with MasterWord Services, this program featuring Alejandro Chaoul and David Leslie explored techniques, tools and resources to create balance and minimize or mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. MasterWord Services, a leading provider of language support solutions, sponsored this event as part of their third annual Wellness Connection Workshop for interpreters and anyone who experiences vicarious trauma in the course of their work. This was a special presentation by Dr. Alejandro Chaoul, Associate Professor and Director of Education at the University of Texas MD Anderson’s Friends of Integrated Medicine Program as well as a regular presenter at the Rothko Chapel, and David Leslie, Executive Director of the Rothko Chapel. This presentation introduced participants to techniques, tools and resources—including the healing space of the Rothko Chapel—to create balance within, help you adhere to professional standards or ethical requirements, and minimize or mitigate the effects of vicarious trauma. About the presenters: Dr. Alejandro Chaoul is an assistant professor and director of education at MD Anderson's Integrative Medicine program where he conducts research using mind-body techniques with cancer patients, holds group and individual meditation classes, and directs the education initiatives on integrative medicine. He is also an associate faculty member at the McGovern Center for Humanities and Ethics at the University of Texas Medical School, where he teaches medical students in the areas of spirituality, complementary and integrative medicine, and end of life care. Alejandro is also an advisor for the Rothko Chapel and lectures regularly at The Jung Center of Houston, the Asia Society, and the Esalen Institute. David Leslie joined the Rothko Chapel as Executive Director after serving for 18 years as Executive Director of Ecumenical Ministries of Oregon. Leslie received his bachelor’s degree in history from the University of Texas at Austin before attending Austin Presbyterian Theological Seminary, where he earned his Masters of Divinity. Throughout his career, Leslie has been devoted to human rights, interfaith relations, immigration reform, ending homelessness and addressing the societal impacts of climate change. He was recognized for this work with the Eugene Carson Blake Award for Ecumenism given by the National Council of Churches and Church World Service. He has published articles and spoken at international conferences on topics related to public policy, organizational development and cross-sector relations. About MasterWord: MasterWord Services, Inc. (MWS) is a woman-owned global language services provider founded in 1993. MWS supports over 300 clients, in over 250 languages, in projects touching over 50 countries worldwide. We offer translation, interpretation, language training and assessments, cultural intelligence training, and language compliance consulting. MWS is the first language service company in the region to obtain certificates of compliance to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 13611:2014 standards and is WBEA / WBENC certified by Women’s Business Enterprise National Council. We serve the world’s leading businesses, government entities, healthcare institutions, academic organizations, and non-profits across the globe. MasterWord’s mission is to connect people across language and culture.

Whenever you have welcomed a stranger, you have welcomed Jesus. Ashley Haldeman’s interview with Church World Service’s Christine Bear teaches us so many ways to gladly receive folks. Christine makes sure refugees fleeing persecution and violence have the resources they

Two students discuss their opinion on why they think the US should let refugees resettle here. They meet with an employee from Church World Service to talk about how this organization has helped refugees resettle. The students also get a chance to interview a recently resettled refugee from Syria.

On this edition of Iraq Matters, Jen Smyers of Church World Service discusses the history of the US refugee resettlement program, explains the process by which refugees are vetted, and outlines why that vetting process might be of concern.

We’re well into Trump’s first hundred days, a period of time in which the new President insisted that he would do away with President Obama’s executive order called Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA), enacted in 2012. The orders Trump has signed so far indicate that he’s going to attempt to follow through on this promise.What this will mean for 1.5 million young people is as yet unknown.In this episode, DACA beneficiary Audrey Lopez, who was introduced in Waveland: An Introduction, tells her whole story. A legal consultant at Church World Service in Lancaster, PA, she now works primarily with refugee families who are seeking to be reunified. She is a participant in the inVISIBLE Americans project and prevailed as the 2016 Lancaster Story Slam champion. Watch her winning story here. Here’s the article in Lancaster Transplant, a local blog by and for people who are new to the city.http://samschindler.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/WWWA_030_020717.mp3Original music by Ari GoldOriginal cover art by Russell Foltz-SmithDOWNLOAD this episodeSUBSCRIBE to this podcast See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

This week, we dive into a very relevant topic—refugees. We start with the story of Jesus the refugee, fleeing with his family into Egypt for asylum. To help us to understand this issue, we are blessed to be joined by Amber Blake of Church World Service. She has a passion for refugee work, and helps us to understand this issue more deeply and how we might engage it as Christians.

In a campaign that frequently promoted anti-immigrant rhetoric and called for the cessation of the inflow of refugees to the United States, one of the critical areas of Christian witness - the welcoming of the oppressed and the stranger - has suddenly come under intense scrutiny.  As the church struggles to fulfill its calling to minister to the refugee, what is the way forward in an environment that may be hostile to the refugee? Today my guest is Jen Smyers, Associate Director for Refugee Policy for Church World Service.  Jen will talk with us today about refugees, her own faith, and how ministry to refugees changes lives.

This is an excerpt from the March 13, 2016 Doris Davenport Show with Doug Wyman, a local radio show in Oak Park, IL 1490 AM. This recording features Jon Skogen of Church World Service talking about the CROP Hunger Walk in Illinois. Jon shares how CWS services communities here in the U.S. and around the world.

What better time of year to take a tour of the world and see where God is at work?  Paul Jeffrey is a unique kind of missionary:  a photo-journalist.  He travels the world to chronicle the faces and stories of God's family.  He is an engaging story-teller and (needless to say) an amazing photographer. You can learn more about him and see more of his work below. Now sit back and listen to one of the most unique missionaries you will ever hear. We go to: Philippines Serbia Congo Honduras Nebraska Egypt Then we talk about the nature and complication of missions. If you want to follow-up with Paul, visit his website/blog at http://www.kairosphotos.com/blog/ or his online gallery. You can also connect to Church World Service. Follow the podcast, drop a review, send feedback/questions or become a member of the HBC Community. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Mary Catherine holds a degree in English and Women’s Studies from UNC in Chapel Hill. After graduating she worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eritrea, NE Africa until hostilities broke out there in 1998. She has traveled to Nicaragua, Central America with her Church’s Sister Cities program and has visited CWS projects in Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay.

Mary Catherine holds a degree in English and Women’s Studies from UNC in Chapel Hill. After graduating she worked as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Eritrea, NE Africa until hostilities broke out there in 1998. She has traveled to Nicaragua, Central America with her Church’s Sister Cities program and has visited CWS projects in Bolivia, Argentina and Uruguay.