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Report on Immigration

LUCC ANNUAL MEETING – 2/23/2020

Sue Sherwood

The mission of the Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice is to advocate that all people who approach our borders receive compassionate, just and dignified treatment, whether asylum seekers, refugees, or those in search of a better life.

I am the representative on the Coalition from Lakewood United Church of Christ.  Also participating in the coalition have been Patti Cooksey, Lucille Ruga, and Carol Shores.  Coalition updates/info are posted on bulletin bd.  You can also learn more on Facebook at Pinellas Coalition for Immigration Justice OR Witness at the Border.

In the 6 months we have been part of the Coalition, it has grown from 7 to 14 member organizations and its outreach has adapted to meet the ongoing changes in U.S. immigration policy and enforcement. 

The Coalition began with 4 “action lanes”:

         1) The Flores Agreement (which lists & assures rights of detained youth)

         2) Legislative Accountability

         3) Children/youth Detained at Homestead, FL, Facility

         4) Research of Complicit Companies in Detention

With the closing of Homestead, we are adding a fifth:

         5) Witness at the Border

Highlights

         1) July 2019: “Lights for Liberty” (held at Allendale UMC) – 350 people gathered to hear the voices of children detained behind the detention center fences, leaders of local justice groups, & Rep. Crist – sing & light candles & tie ribbons on a chain link fence with msgs for the children – learn how to take action in the 4 action lanes.

         2) Sept – Nov: Legislative Accountability

                  a) 5 of us raised issues of accountability at Rep. Crist’s Town Hall Mtg. in Largo in September.  And he took action: 1) He hired someone in his DC office to focus on immigration. 2) As a member of House Appropriations Committee, he wrote to the Sec. of Health & Human Services, requesting the required financial statements that had not been submitted by contracted companies, holding them accountable, especially when we were paying over $700/day for an empty bed when the children were taken away during the night. 3) He demanded to know where the Homestead children went and got answers.  4) Homestead was suddenly  closed permanently.  5) He learned more about the Flores rights for youth.

                  b) Some of us met with a representative from Sen. Rubio’s office in October re immigration, and others protested at his Tampa office.  Letters from the Coalition were also sent to Reps and Sens.  We did not see direct results from some but wanted them to know we are aware of the status of refugees/asylum seekers and have not forgotten.

                  c) LUCC and many of the groups participated in a post card campaign to our elected officials, letting them know we have not forgotten about the treatment of children and seekers at the border – urging that all for-profit detention centers be closed and that the Flores Agreement protecting children’s rights be enforced – with healthcare, exercise, education, counseling, etc.  LUCC provided stamped post cards & made address labels for use before/after church services.

         3) Dec. – Jan. – Hosted “Witness at Tornillo,” Josh Rubin’s film documentary, at the Tampa Theater, followed by a panel discussion.  This film on “the subversive act of seeing” was so inspirational that 5 from our area joined 150 others in Brownsville, TX, and Metamoros, MX, in Jan. to serve as witnesses, bring clothes & supplies, help in the food kitchens on both sides of the border, and protest the “MPP” (Migrant Protection Protocols) that force children & families back into dangerous situations in Mexico.  We want the government and those being held to know that the American people have not forgotten them!  Currently only 11 out of 10,000 are granted asylum (.1%).

Upcoming Events/Action

         1) Campaign to have more people go to Brownsville as witnesses and for our organizations to raise funds for Team Brownsville and the humanitarian work being performed by volunteers.  A power point presentation is being developed to be shared by member organizations and the community.

         2) Post card writing: urging the passage of the “Refugee Protection Act,” pending in both houses of Congress (SB2936 and HR 5210).  These bills have 40 co-signers, none of whom are Rep. Crist or Bilirakis or Sen. Rubio or Scott.

         3) People needed to serve as “champions,” trained to speak to large or small groups to encourage them to fill out the census forms, which are online and confidential and do NOT include a question on citizenship.

         4) March 20, Temple Beth-El: “Witnessing: A Growing Movement for Social Justice.”  This is the National Refugee Day for Jewish communities around the country.  Two from the Coalition and a refugee from five African countries will speak during the Shabot service (7:30-8:30 pm) and food and discussion will followafter the service.  The Coalition will have a table there.

Operation Attack Repot

LUCC ANNUAL MEETING – 2/23/2020

Jim Andrews

Operation Attack is very much in need of boy’s coats, socks and underwear, diapers, teen clothes for boys/girls, canned food, and peanut butter

Donations may be placed in the shopping cart in the entryway to the sanctuary. Volunteer dates are evenings on March 9, April 13, and May 11. They also need people to help on the first three Tuesdays of the month from 9:30-noon.

Operation Attack is an ecumenical effort serving families with children located at Lakeview Presbyterian Church, 1310 22nd. Ave. S., St. Petersburg. LUCC was a founding member of Operation Attack in the 1960’s!

Covenant Affirming

Lakewood United Church of Christ as

 A Creation Justice Church

The congregation of LUCC believes that all beings in the Sacred Web of life are ecologically interconnected and interdependent, and that we should care for and live in balance with the rest of Creation.  We acknowledge that the abuses of Creation inevitably cause environmental and human exploitation and suffering.  We realize that race, class, and global inequality cause some to suffer more than others.

We affirm that Creation Justice is a core commitment of the Christian faith and that our mission is to “work for God’s peace and justice throughout creation” (LUCC Mission Statement).  Our goal is not only to cherish creation, the land, and the earth itself, but also to restore living in balance with all of Creation and the Sacred. 

To work toward healing and conservation of the environment for a better quality of life for all Creation, with an urgent sense of calling Lakewood United Church of Christ covenants to:

• Communicate through our actions and ministry to all who encounter our congregation that we cherish the restoration and renewal of creation

• Educate ourselves and others on critical issues related to healing and preserving the environment and the impact on all Creation

 

• Support public policies, regulations, laws, and funding that benefit the environment and protect vulnerable communities

• Participate through advocacy and action in initiatives to address local and global threats to our environment including partnering with environmental justice allies in the wider community

• Reduce climate change by decreasing our use of fossil fuels and lowering our carbon footprint

• Encourage individuals in the congregation and beyond to implement this covenant in their personal lives

We will apply this covenant to all aspects of the life of the church, including the buildings and grounds.   We commit to doing an annual review of our progress in fulfilling this covenant.   

Therefore Be It Resolved That

Lakewood United Church of Christ declares itself to be a Creation Justice Church and continues to commit to working “for peace and justice throughout creation”.

November 11, 2018

LUCC Creation Justice

2019 Annual Review

February 23. 2020

After two years of assessment, discussion, and change, planned and actual, LUCC applied for and was granted on February 12, 2019 the Creation Justice Church status by the Environmental Ministries Program of the United Church of Christ national office.  Our Covenant Statement (attached) provides general philosophy, goals, and direction for our environmental justice work and requires that we review our progress annually.  Thus this report is offered to the congregation as a summary of steps taken in 2019 to live up to and extend our creation justice commitment and the list of 2020 Initiatives to guide our work this coming year.

2019 Initiatives:

• Green Practices in Fellowship Hall
  • Recycling container
  • Voluntary ban on single use plastics
• Environmental themed sermons and music – Rev. Wells and Music Director Hilton Jones
• UCC State Conference in Orlando, FL– Presentation on Creation Justice Church process to help other churches move forward
• Advocacy and support for petitions
  • Citizens Climate Lobby – Energy Innovation and Carbon Dividend Act
• Facility and Grounds
  • EV Charging Station installed and soon to be available
  • Solar Panel installers interviewed for future purchase decision
  • Permaculture Group in process of designing sustainable landscaping and grounds
  • LED lighting installed in chancel

2020 Initiatives:

• Activate EV charging station and advertise location for community use
• Complete solar panel estimate process – choose installer and continue research for funding
• Represent LUCC Creation Justice work at local events – Earthfest St. Pete, April 4, 2020 at Williams Park, etc.
• Review Permaculture Design when available and make decisions about grounds
• Adult Day Care – Green practices agreement
• Extend Green Practices agreement to other renters
• Continue to expand LED lighting in church

Summary

Although the Creation Justice Task Force provides guidance and energy for setting and working toward our goals for environmentally sustainable living and justice for all, only as a genuinely committed congregation can we hope to live up to our highest ideals.  All of us must work together toward fulfilling our covenant to work for “for peace and justice throughout creation”.