Educate and Activate: An Immigration Training for People of Faith, building awareness and support for our immigrant neighbors is being offered on Saturday, January 31, from 9 a.m. to Noon. It is presented by the United in Faith Coalition, a network of progressive Christians and allies, at Edmonds United Methodist Church at 828 Caspers St. Edmonds, WA 98026. All are welcome regardless of church affiliation.
Click here to view and download an event flier.
This is a two part training on our responsibility as Christians and people of faith towards the most vulnerable members of our community—immigrants, refugees, and asylum seekers. Immigration Enforcement actions are increasing in our state and are expected to rise over the coming months. Our awareness and preparation as community members is critical in this work. In-person and online.
9-10:15 am – “ICE and the Immigration Crisis: A Faith Response” by Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse
Rev. Dr. Rick Rouse, author of the recent book on immigration, A Journey Called Hope, will speak on the horrific impact of the government’s efforts to deport millions of immigrants and refugees from the U.S. We will explore how we got here and what people of faith can do in response. He is a Lutheran pastor, professor, author, and popular conference speaker. He served congregations in California, Oregon, and Washington where he assisted with the resettlement of immigrant families from Russia, Thailand, Viet Nam, and Ukraine.
Dr. Rouse was the Executive Director for Church Relations and Continuing Education at Pacific Lutheran University for 12 years. He also served on the faculty at Luther Seminary in St. Paul, MN and taught at the Evangelisch Fachschule in Nuremberg, Germany. He is a member of the Advisory Board for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary and Seattle University’s Center for Ecumenical and Interreligious Engagement. He is the author of numerous books, including A Journey Called Hope: Today’s Immigrant Stories and the American Dream (Chalice Press, 2024).
10:15-noon – A Community Action Training on ICE watch and response.
Volunteer trainers from the WA Immigration Solidarity Network (WAISN) will guide us in how to be engaged and responsive community members with training in “Know your Rights, (both yours and the immigrant’s) how to document ICE actions, whistle alerts, how to make a report to the HOTLINE and what to do and not do as a bystander. You’ll also have an opportunity to sign up for training to be on a Rapid Response Team or an Accompaniment Team.
The training is free of charge, but registration is required.
To learn more, visit the United in Faith coming events page on the Edmonds UMC website.
