Becoming Welcoming Communities – Immigration Reform

The United States is a nation of immigrants, continually reshaped by new groups of people bringing diverse cultures, perspectives, and resources. Yet, in Wisconsin, as in the nation as a whole, immigration has become one of the most emotionally charged and polarizing social and political issues.

Immigration is also a core issue for faith communities.  The biblical story continually shows God’s concern for the migrant and the outcast. The early Hebrews were “strangers in the land of Egypt” and were asked to remember this heritage by protecting the strangers among them in the Promised Land. Throughout the New Testament, Christians are called to care for the outcast and the stranger. Christians have been in the forefront of those calling for hospitality, solidarity, and justice for the more recently-arrived members of their communities.  They have worked to replace prejudice and hostility with understanding and reconciliation.

The Wisconsin Council of Churches is launching a collaborative effort to address this issue.   A Becoming Welcoming Communities Study Guide for congregational leaders is now available for downloading, along with pertinent handouts for each study session.

Becoming Welcoming Communities Study Guide

Download a PDF copy of the Study Guide. 

Download Session Handouts (PDF)

Session 1

Session 2

Session 3

Session 4

* We acknowledge the work of the Institute for Communal Contemplation and Dialogue (www.engagingimpasse.org) for the inspiration for this process and their work together with NETWORK, a Catholic social justice lobby, (www.networklobby.org) for the profiles

Other Resources:

Comments are closed.