Micah Corps Summer 2010!

Coming to Social Justice with Galen Wray!!

The Micah Corps has had the chance to meet and connect with so many churches throughout Nebraska. Our travels have introduced us to hundreds of people who have their own stories about coming to social justice. These stories motivate and inspire us, they give us the hope that through our togetherness and combined faith in God’s wishes for our welfare on earth, we can begin to give justice to everyone who is oppressed. Because of this we wanted to take the time to interview a man with a particularly great story of coming to an awareness of social justice, and indeed, beginning his own work on freeing the oppressed. Galen Wray serves as District Superintendent for the Blue River District. Through his story I invite you to think and discuss your own journey toward social holiness. Moreover, how can we inspire others to become more justice minded? But most importantly, how can we use our journeys, faith, and resources to bring this good news to the oppressed. Indeed, in Luke 4, Jesus states, “The Spirit of the Good Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor, he has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord.” How do we follow Jesus’ message? Proclaim your faith! Talk about your journey to social justice and spread that to all who wish to hear the good news! In doing so we inspire others to a real conversation about beginning the tough, but necessary, work of setting at liberty those who are oppressed. Thanks and God bless!

Imagining a Violence-Free World

In these video clips we are reminded of the price of war. These memorials represent a nation that has been tried and tested by the forces of violence, and it has cost us dearly. Today our nation fights two ongoing wars and so now more than ever we must feel the faithful obligation to resist, to turn the other cheek, to call on our leaders to end the violence. The United Methodist Church has already begun its effort with the “Call to Hope and Action” in the Council of Bishops’ document God’s Renewed Creation. One of the three interconnect threats is the proliferation of weapons and violence. As the Bishops state, “…we cannot remain silent while God’s people and God’s planet suffer.” As global military spending tops 1.2 trillion dollars in 2007, with the U.S. spending 45% of that amount, and as over 639 million small arms and light weapons circulate the world, it is obvious that violence pervades and persists throughout God’s creation. However, the Bishops’ call to hope and action has provided us with the motivation and resources to get involved right now! God’s Renewed Creation is available online at www.hopeandaction.org, and includes six study sessions that look at the biblical foundation of caring for God’s creation, United Methodist Social Principle background, the state of our world, the pledges the Bishops are making, as well as how to pray and act in a way which begins to alleviate the threats of poverty, climate change, and weapons violence. The Micah Corps had the opportunity to do a study session at Aldersgate this last Sunday and in doing so, learned a lot from a great discussion with other United Methodists. Our hope is that churches all across Nebraska will begin to use the resources within God’s Renewed Creation to start their own study group, or find ways in which to use this document within their existing networks. Furthermore, September 30-October 2 there is a gathering at Camp Comeca and we are hoping United Methodists all across Nebraska will attend! The event, called “Come to the Hill,” will focus on God’s Renewed Creation, and this will be a great time to get in touch with other United Methodists who wish to address the concerns of poverty, the environment, and peace. Jim Wrinkler, General Secretary of the United Methodist General Board of Church and Society, will be talking as well. If you are interested in attending, or would like more information, go to www.umcneb.org, Ministries in Action, and scroll to the Risk-Taking Mission and Justice Ministries Team. In closing I want to remember those memorials, the many names etched in black at the Vietnam Memorial, that remind us of the costs of violence. Everyday conflict takes its toll, so we must not stand by and wait, but instead begin to act out our faith! Challenge the powers that be for peace, break the barriers of injustice, and push forward to a day when the “wolf and the lamb shall feed together,” a day in which our swords are finally turned into plowshares. Thanks and God bless!

Becca and Caryn on the Road!

Becca and I have been traveling a lot around the state in both the Prairie Rivers District and in the Great West District. We've been able to talk to a lot of congregations and groups about what we learned at Nebraska Appleseed and how our faith interacts with the tough immigration issue. We've been sharing this message with congregations along with the idea that to make a real difference, we need federal reform that creates workable solutions that upholds our values and moves us all forward together.

From Columbus to Scottsbluff and many places in between, we've been sharing our message of what God has called us to do about immigration and caring for the sojourners among us. One resource we have been sharing with congregations is the Council of Bishops Statement on the U.S. Immigration Situation. It says, "Our calling as followers of Jesus the Christ is to stand in solidarity with our immigrant neighbors and to advocate for justice on their behalf. ... We acknowledge that all nations have the right to secure their borders, but the primary concern for Christians is the welfare of immigrants and communities." We've also been having a great time playing the Immigration Board Game with people of all ages (to access the immigration board game, visit http://nwfco.org/issues/immigration/). To learn more about Nebraska Appleseed, visit http://www.neappleseed.org/. For more information about immigration and the Church and faith-based immigration resources you can visit the General Board of Church and Society's website at http://www.umc-gbcs.org/.

Columbus, NE - Working for Justice!

(Sandra Sypherd, Rocio Hernández. Rebecca Albers
Maria Davila, and Caryn Vincent)

On July 27th, Sandra Sypherd, Caryn Vincent and myself, Rebecca Albers, had the privilege of meeting with some community leaders in the Columbus area who are advocating for justice for our newest neighbors. Maria Davila with Servicios en General helps immigrants with their taxes. They highlighted that the immigration system is very complicated and that it takes special training and expertise to fill out the paperwork and navigate the proper avenues. Servicios en General is also working toward getting their BIA (Board of Immigration Appeals) accreditation so they can practice some immigration law and further assist members of their community. We also met with Rocio Hernández, a Hispanic Ministries leader in the area. It was wonderful to talk to these ladies and hear how the policies we’ve learned about this summer impact individuals’ lives in their communities.

(Dianna McFarland, Rebecca Albers, Caryn Vincent, Andrea Paret)

That evening we had the opportunity to visit a Justice For Our Neighbors clinic. JFON is a ministry of UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief). It provides free legal services for our newest neighbors through monthly clinics held at local churches. Trained volunteers help with the intakes and provide hospitality while the immigration lawyer meets with each client to see if they are able to take their case.

Before the clinic, we were able to meet with Diana McFarland, the immigration attorney. She explained what they do at JFON-NE and the restructured immigration system. There are four parts of the immigration system under two departments of the government. The Department of Homeland Security oversees three area: 1) Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) , 2) United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and 3) Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The Department of Justice now oversees the the judicial part of immigration through The Executive Office for Immigration Review (EOIR). She highlighted that having four separate entities makes navigating the immigration system even harder as they are on their own time tables and don’t have a common database.

Thank you, community of Columbus, for being so welcoming to us as well as our immigrant neighbors. Keep up the good work!

Good Times in the Elkhorn Valley and Gateway Distrcits!

While traveling Rachel and I have had some awesome oppurtunities. We have gotten to share what we've learned about children in poverty at Voices for Children with the Elkhorn Valley and Gateway Districts! Some highlights include VBS at Dakota City where we got to help with game time. The Wesley Day Care and Crisis Nursery in Norfolk gave us some great tours of their facilities. They have great progams for children! While at Voices for Children we learned that around 14% of children in Nebraska live in poverty. If you would like to learn more about Voices for Children you can visit their website at http://www.voicesforchildren.com/. On the website you can sign up for the Advokid to get updates on what they are doing and how you can advocate for all kids in Nebraska!

God's Renewed Creation at Aldersgate United Methodist Church!!!

I had the awesome opportunity to visit Aldersgate United Methodist Church on August 1. My time there included a chance to talk about God’s Renewed Creation in service, as well as the great opportunity to lead a study of God’s Renewed Creation with the Aldersgate Faith Link’s class. God’s Renewed Creation is a document, a call to hope and action, put forth by the United Methodist Council of Bishops. It specifically deals with global poverty, environmental degradation, and weapons violence, and in combination with pledges from the Bishops, asks all congregations to form action plans and use all available resources to begin addressing these dire problems. I will be visiting churches as the internship ends to promote this document, just as our Bishop did at Annual Conference. I will also be having conversations with some of your pastors about how to use this document and it’s resources well into the future. You may visit www.hopeandaction.com to download your own copy, or to see the available resources, and I truly hope you do, because in doing so we are not only practicing our faith but also our quest for social holiness…indeed an integral aspect of following Christ. Thanks to Aldersgate for their time and space, and I look forward to talking to other United Methodists as this awesome internship continues!

KZUM Interview with Micah Corps Intern

Micah Corps intern, Brian Copley, had the awesome opportunity to talk with the “Green Grandma” in a KZUM interview on July 5, 2010. The talk centered on the work of the Micah Corps, the importance of the Council of Bishop’s “God’s Renewed Creation,” and the overall social justice issues that are intertwining with the environmental justice movement. The Micah Corps would like to thank KZUM for the time and space, and furthermore, would like to encourage any congregations to contact the Micah Corps if they would like an intern to come and speak. Specifically, Brian will be in the Blue River and Missouri River districts, and available to discuss or present on the “God’s Renewed Creation” document. Thanks and God bless!

Micah Corps in Washington D.C.!!!!!!

The Micah Corps went to Washington D.C.! The interns had the chance to tour many of the awesome sites in D.C., as you will see in the video. However, it was not all about fun, as we put your mission share dollars to good work. First, we had a chance to work at the General Board of Church and Society (GBCS). The interns worked on a variety of issues, including helping update resolutions in the Book of Discipline, videotaping messages to send to the Council of Bishops, learning from the GBCS’s policy experts, planning and participating in an awesome worship in their chapel, writing letters concerning the new START treaty, and much more! The time was highly enjoyable and the Micah Corps would like to thank the many people who made our experience at GBCS possible! However, the Micah Corps would also like to ask United Methodists and all people to get involved on the issues we learned about. Specifically, the Council of Bishops’ document known as God’s Renewed Creation was a hot topic at GBCS, and so if any local congregation would want an intern to speak about the document, contact Micah Corps! In addition, the new START treaty will be up for Senate ratification by the end of the summer. This treaty, between the United States and Russia, calls for a reduction of nuclear arms from 2,200 to around 1,500, while maintaining the United States’ prompt conventional global defense system and allowing for increased oversight of Russia’s adherence to arms reduction. Therefore, the treaty will not hurt the United States’ military structures and is in fact an issue of national security that rises above partisanship. There is more information available at the GBCS website, and should be a sample letter available in the coming weeks which would help people begin their own process of sitting down and writing their Nebraska representatives.

Have Faith, End Hunger!!!!!!!!

The Micah Corps had the opportunity to work and learn at Bread for the World, an advocacy organization focused on ending hunger in the world. The interns did a variety of work, including cataloging, transcribing, and organizing material to help Bread for the World with long-standing projects. But furthermore, Micah Corps interns did research on the voting patterns of certain members of Congress, while also calling local covenant churches to discuss Bread for the World activities. The intern’s time also included discussions revolving around Bread for the World’s advocacy, including their most recent “Lobby Day” as well other work the organization is currently involved in. This topic is related to Nebraska, as almost 10.4% of Nebraska households struggle to put food on the table, while 14.3% of children in Nebraska live in families that struggle to find food. Two specific ways that ALL United Methodists can get involved is by writing our local representatives about the need to support an extension of the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), as well as support the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act. The EITC helped over 112,211 Nebraska households in 2006 by providing for a certain amount of money through a tax-credit that helps impoverished families put food on the table. Nebraska has also added a state level EITC because of the success of the federal EITC. The act is extremely important as it helps working families stay afloat and stave off the difficult decisions between bills and food, especially when children are affected. Bread for the World and Micah Corps also encourages people to support the Child Tax Credit (CTC), which provides $1000 for each child under 17 on a worker’s tax return, as well as additional funding for the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which helps workers file their tax returns in an effective manner. The second major piece of legislation, the Child Nutrition Reauthorization Act, is essential because it provides increase funding for programs that put on school breakfast and lunch programs, preschool and other summer meal programs, which help provide the food necessary for the healthy development of children. You can help close the hunger and nutritional gap by writing members of Congress and urging them to support Child Nutrition Reauthorization. Overall, the Micah Corps worked very diligently in helping promote Bread for the World’s work, but also in learning about policy issues that affect children from Nebraska to Africa. We hope to help engage churches in a renewed conversation about how we all can get involved in the fight to end hunger!

From the Nigerian Breakfast to Capitol Hill!!!!

At the Nigerian Breakfast, United Methodists were asked to write letters and sign leaflets in support of the “Feed the Future” initiative. Today, more than one billion people – nearly one-sixth of the world's population – suffer from chronic hunger. This crisis has devastating and far-reaching effects. Each year, more than 3.5 million children die from undernutrition. The “feed the future” program focuses on rapid and sustainable agriculture-led growth as well as opportunities for regional coordination through trade and other mechanisms. You can learn more at www.feedthefuture.gov. Through this act of political participation, the interns were fulfilling their goal of advocating for justice for the “least of these” in a global effort to reduce extreme hunger and poverty, as part of the UN Millennium Development Goals. You can reach write to the Senators at:
Sen. Johanns, 404 Russell Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., 20510
Sen. Nelson, 720 Hart Senate Office Building, Washington D.C., 20510

The Micha Corps goes to the Open Door Mission

The Micah Corps had the opportunity to work at the Open Door Mission, a homeless shelter in Omaha. The interns were able to talk with Scott Shreve of the Open Door Mission and learn more about the Mission, homelessness in Nebraska, and who the Mission serves. The Open Door Mission strives to break the cycle of homelessness and poverty in Omaha. Every night, approximately 3,500 men, women, and children are homeless in Nebraska, with 2,000 of them in Omaha. The Open Door Mission provides 400 safe beds to men, women, and children, and serves 1,700 hot meals a day. The average age of a homeless person is 9 years old, and families with children make up 33% of all homeless. Omaha has a shortage of 4,000 units of affordable housing, exacerbating the problem of homelessness in Omaha and Nebraska. The Mission also provides preventive measures to 250 families living in poverty. One of the services the Open Door Mission provides to help prevent homelessness is a kid’s camp during the summer that provides children with a safe place to go and three hot meals every day. The interns were able to help with the camp and spend some time with the kids, teaching them about the Bible and just having fun. The interns went with the kids to Lake Manawa for swimming, to the Durham Museum, and they did arts and crafts. The Micah Corps had a great time spending time with the kids at the Open Door Mission.

Micah Corps at the Children's Annual Conference

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At this year’s annual conference the Micah Corps had the unique opportunity to have a discussion with the United Methodist Children’s Annual Conference. The interns talked to the kids about the problem of access to water and safe drinking water throughout the globe. Furthermore, the interns had the kids play a game whereby they had to carry the water a short distance. This is because millions of people, mostly girls, must carry buckets of water for miles. In addition, the interns talked about how much water the USA uses versus Africa, as well as the fact that one billion people (or one in six) struggle to find safe water every day. The United Methodist Church is working to solve this problem through the Millennium Development Goals, which specifically aim to cut extreme poverty in half by 2015. Also, the goals focus on environmental sustainability. In the video you will notice some part time work on behalf of the Micah Corps in the form of a child videographer! Overall, the Micah Corps was extremely happy to get in touch with Nebraska kids about such a pertinent issue.

Nigeria/Nebraska Partnership Breakfast and "Feed the Future"

The Micah Corps had the awesome opportunity to eat at the Nigerian/Nebraska Partnership breakfast. This breakfast commemorates United Methodist support for 48 children at an orphanage in Nigeria. Such continued support is a great example of charity at it’s finest. However, in the midst of this charity at work, the Micah Corps took the time to ask fellow United Methodists to write Senator Johanns and Senator Nelson in support of the “Feed the Future” program. This program will follow country-led investment plans, in an effort to increase the incomes of over 40 million people in 20 countries over 10 years through agricultural development. This coordinated global effort will help reach 25 million children with nutrition interventions, while helping to end hunger and move closer to achieving the Millennium Development Goals. A program such as “Feed the Future” displays the type of advocacy for justice that coincides with the necessary work of charity. We ask all United Methodists, heck all people, to write or email their senators in support of the “Feed the Future” program. Senator Ben Nelson may be reached through an email server, at http://bennelson.senate.gov/email-issues.cfm, and Senator Johanns may be reached at mike_johanns@johanns.senate.gov. Thank you for your support on this issue!

Class Advocacy, Frisbee, God's Renewed Creation...and much more!

Today was an educating and eye-opening day for the Micah Corps! Kathy Moore and Jill Westfall, both from the child-advocacy non-profit organization Voices for Children, came and spoke about the many ways in which the children of Nebraska are harmed by poverty and neglect throughout the state. Their presentation highlighted the facts of children in poverty, as well as an educational seminar on case versus class advocacy. Furthermore, Darcy Tromanhauser, from the Nebraska Appleseed Center for Law in the Public Interest, spoke about the facts and circumstances surrounding immigration. Specifically, the need for immigration reform that offers workable solutions that uphold our values and help us move forward together. Lastly, Zach Anderson, Assistant Peace and Justice Coordinator for the Nebraska Conference, spoke to the interns about the pastoral letter from United Methodist Bishops, “God’s Renewed Creation.” Zach discussed environmental degradation, global poverty, and weapons proliferation with the interns, while also helping to promote the document’s call for all United Methodists to get involved in eliminating many of the dire justice problems in our society. The day was filled with much work and preparation, however, the interns did take a short break to play Frisbee (which can be seen in the video!). Thank you again for all your mission share dollars that make this program possible, and we look forward to keeping everyone updated on the work and progress of the Micah Corps!

First Day of Micah Corps--Biblical Social Justice w/ Rev. Secundino Morales

On the first day of Micah Corps the Rev. Secundino Morales came and spoke about social justice from a biblical perspective. Rev. Morales serves as the District Superintendent for the Gateway District, but is also a member of the Risk Taking Mission and Justice Ministries Team. The Rev. Morales touched on his childhood in Panama, where his family emphasized personal salvation, however, Rev. Morales’ words concerning uplifting the poor and healing the oppressed in this world demonstrate an imperative for not only personal salvation, but also justice for the “least of these.” In the video Rev. Morales describes the need to create a better world, a better society, a better community, but also the need to experience new cultures, and to continually practice open hearts, open minds, and open doors in acquiring a new global perspective that welcomes all strangers in creating a world more similar to God’s vision (most notably described in Isaiah 65:17-25). Stay tuned as these interns continue to live and learn about Jesus’ message in the coming days!

Meet the Micah Corps Interns of Summer 2010

Thanks to the mission share dollars contributed by so many kind and caring United Methodists across Nebraska, five interns will once again begin a summer in the Micah Corps Young Adult Leaders internship program, sponsored by the Risk Taking Mission and Justice Ministries Team. The below video includes short introductions to the five interns who will begin a journey of prayer, study, and action. Stay tuned as these interns will continually update fellow United Methodists concerning their experiences, from enlightening prayer and study to interesting discussions and lectures about the necessity of heeding Jesus’ call to care for the “least of these.”