Action Alert Regarding DACA

As a Pastor in the Church of the Brethren and a citizen of the United States I am supportive of the DACA program and deeply concerned for the plight of immigrants in this country.  I endorse the position of the Church of the Brethren and am passing along this Action Alert from our denomination.  Whether you are a member of the Church of the Brethren or not I invite you to contact your congressional representatives and let your voice be heard.  Blessings! - gdg ACTION ALERT "The biblical tradition regarding the alien guides our response as Church of the Brethren people when we deal with the immigrants in our land...We live with the hope that we will someday have a community of justice, peace and love. This hope gives us the courage to be faithful to the One who calls us to live out that hope through love for our neighbors and our enemies. We pray for God's help as we seek to do justice, to love tenderly, and to walk humbly with God among peoples of all nations." —1982 Church of the Brethren Annual Conference Statement: "Addressing the Concern of Undocumented Persons and Refugees in the United States" After this week's Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals announcement, many of us are asking how we can support DACA recipients and fight for fair legislation. The end of DACA impacts our friends and family; read one Church of the Brethren DACA story here. We are sad and angry that DACA recipients have to face this uncertainty and fear. The President's decision allows for a six-month window in which Congress can pass the Dream Act of 2017, which would create a legal path to citizenship for those who qualified for the DACA program. We must use this opportunity to tell Congress how important the Dreamers are to the Church of the Brethren! The first thing you can do is call your Representative and Senators, and tell them that you would like a clean passage of the Dream Act of 2017. Call 866-961-4293. Please call 3 times, so that you can be connected with your Representative and both of your Senators. Sample Script: "I'm your constituent from [City, State]. I support the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, and strongly oppose President Trump's announcement to end it. DACA has provided nearly 800,000 immigrant youth the opportunity to work, raise a family, and pursue their dreams. I urge you to support a clean passage of the Dream Act of 2017 (S.1615/H.R.3440) and do everything in your power to protect immigrant youth." If you will be in Washington, D.C, we can also set up meetings with your legislators so that you can tell them why you believe in the clean passage of the Dream Act. E-mail us at vbateman@brethren.org if you would like to get a meeting on the Hill. It is also important that you be vocal about your support for the Dream Act of 2017 on social media, using the hashtag #DreamAct, and including your Senators' and Representative's handles. Today, many legislators are expected to share DACA stories on the House/Senate floors--you can also tweet your support for their advocacy! In addition to these calls, meetings, and vocal support of the Dream Act, you can host vigils, organize letter writing parties, and coordinate advocacy trips for your communities. Please continue to pray for and with DACA recipients across the country as they face this time of uncertainty. In Christ's peace, Victoria Bateman Peacebuilding and Policy Associate Church of the Brethren, Office of Public Witness Washington, D.C. For more information about the public witness ministries of the Church of the Brethren, contact Nathan Hosler, Director, Office of Public Witness: Nathan Hosler 337 North Carolina Ave SE Washington, DC 20003 nhosler@brethren.org 717-333-1649

An Open Letter To Pres. Donald Trump

[Note:  I originally posted the following letter on Facebook but felt compelled to copy it here as well in hopes it may reach a wider audience.]

I cannot remain silent about this.  Yesterday the President of the United States of America, Donald Trump, gave sanction to Neo-Nazis, white Supremacists, and the KKK.  He has in effect endorsed these groups and thumped his nose to the Constitution of this country by endorsing hate groups that seek to eliminate the rights of Jews and people of color.  Mr. President, for your information this country fought its bloodiest war to ensure the rights of people of color and to preserve the nation against traitors and revolutionists who flew the same flag that is hailed by the hate groups today.  We also fought a war to defend against Nazism, Fascism, and the hatred and prejudices espoused by such ideology.  My father was one of those who fought the Nazis.  You, Mr. President, have insulted my father and all our veterans who fought in the Civil War and the Second World War by now endorsing and giving credence to the very forces they fought against.  Shame on you, Mr. President!  You have violated your oath of office and the institution of the Presidency.  August 15, 2017 will forever be a day of tragedy and sorry for the United States of America because of the words you spoke on that day.

George Douglas Gehr

August 16, 2017