Date: Tuesday, May 12th Time: 6:30-8:00pm Location: First United Methodist Church, Appleton (325 East Franklin Street)
Tuesday, May 12 marks the first anniversary of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid on Postville, Iowa. To stand in solidarity with the 389 people who were detained and their families, a nationwide day of remembrance has been declared to promote awareness of the devastating effects of raids. Postville is a small American town with a population of just over 2,000 people, about 20 miles from the Wisconsin border.
While this story is one of great tragedy, it is also a triumph of justice as it brought faith communities together to respond to the need of addressing comprehensive immigration reform and calling an end to immigration raids.
Vigil is open to the public, join us!
The story of one of the largest immigration raids in US history at a kosher meatpacking plant will be revisited with a prayer vigil of solidarity on this first anniversary of the event through hundreds of events across the nation.
Program to include a trailer of a yet-to-be-released documentary “abUSed", produced in Postville and Guatemala by filmmaker Luis Argueta, testimonials and supportive documents that call for an end to the raids and true comprehensive immigration reform.
We will use this time to remember the events and take action towards the powerful potential we have for change as faith communities to build a community that includes all of the residents in the Fox Valley, the state and our nation. We do not need people hiding in the shadows!
Join ESTHER in a Discussion on Immigration Reform
With Gabriel Gonzlalez
Saturday, November 21st 4:00-5:30pm
At St. Therese, Appleton (213 E Wisconsin Ave)
Gabriel González, is the Director of the National Immigratin Campaign at the Center for Community Change in Washington DC. He will discuss with us the up-coming immigration reform campaign. Bring your questions and your ideas for action.
WISDOM Religious Leaders Call on the State of Wisconsin to Rid our State of Predatory Lending
“While we are encouraged to see the Assembly working to curb the payday lending industry, without an interest rate cap these measures will not do enough to make an impact on the harmful effects these loans have on our communities.”-Nancy Holmlund, WISDOM President
On Tuesday, February 9th members of the state legislature will announce a predatory payday lending bill that falls short of measures to enact sufficient regulation on an industry that has been allowed to engulf our state and take advantage of those with economic strains. While limiting rollovers and allowing only one loan to be drawn at a time will have an impact. There is great concern that the industry will find loopholes around the proposed legislation as has been demonstrated in other states across the country; without a rate cap, we are not guaranteed that the predatory lending practices of payday lenders will be ended.
This, rather, is the fasting that I wish: releasing those bound unjustly, untying the thongs of the yoke; setting free the oppressed, breaking every yoke; sharing your bread with the hungry, sheltering the oppressed and the homeless; clothing the naked when you see them, and not turning your back on your own. - Isaiah 58: 6-7
JOIN US!
ESTHER, Faith Communities to Hold Prayer Vigils for Immigrant
Brothers and Sisters in Arizona, Wisconsin and Across the Country
Tuesday, July 13th
Saturday, July 17th(Culminating Service)
6:00 PM
6:00 PM
Emmanuel United Methodist Church
Sacred Heart of Jesus Parish
(Spanish interpretation available)
(Spanish interpretation available)
Inspired by Isaiah 58, which teaches us that a “true fast” is undertaken in service of “loosening the chains of injustice.
Take time to pray and fast for 30 minutes during the week of July 11-17. This movement is part of a national effort that includes 8 weeks of prayer rolling from one group of states to the next to engage people of faith in the assigned states in constant prayer and public prayer events and advocacy for immigration reform.
The recent anti-immigration law in Arizona has galvanized faith communities across the nation to take a stand with immigrants against the divisiveness and injustice that have characterized the U.S. immigration debate. Wisconsin’s vigil week is from July 11 through July 17.
ESTHER is participating in this event in conjunction with the Interfaith Immigration Coalition.
Two prayer services will be held to stand in solidarity with our immigrant brothers and sisters and to pray for the passage of comprehensive immigration reform. In addition, individuals will commit themselves to 30 minutes of prayer or meditation and fasting throughout the week.
For more information, contact Ana Wilson at (920) 209-0498.
