Welcoming the Stranger – Welcoming Angels – Hebrews 13:1-3

In the video above, Dr. Eric D. Barreto (Assoc. Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary and Dr. Jacqueline Hidalgo (Assoc. Professor of Latina/o Studies and Religion at Williams College) look to the Bible to guide us through our response to Immigration, Migration and Refugees.

Our class tomorrow morning (November 24, 2019) will begin with this video and a reading from Hebrews (13:1-3). We will look at the tradition of viewing strangers as messengers from God rather than threats of violence. Can we shift the national dialogue around immigration to be more reflective of this biblical tradition?

Direct Action this Sunday

We will also talk about a direct action that we can take in Alamance County in the afternoon after our class.

Those of us who attend will be joining our Latinx neighbors in Alamance County to confront Sheriff Terry Johnson’s racist policies and to pressure for an end to Alamance County’s contract with ICE.

Never AgainDown Home NC, and Siembra NC are collaborating on this event.  Down Home and Siembra are both organizations doing immigrant justice work (among other work) locally. Never Again is a national mobilization of Jews, immigrants, and allies organizing to shut down ICE and stop deportations across the US.  

This is a non-violent event. There will likely be walking, chanting, and singing as well as speeches.  The event is well-organized and will be attended by many who have been part of a mass actions like this before as well as people who are taking action for the first time.

Logistical Information

The gathering will begin at 309 S Maple St, Graham, NC 27215 (“The Center for Spiritual Living in Graham”) at 1pm

PARKING: Feel free to park on the street. We also have verbal permission to park the Children’s Museum of Alamance (across the street and about a half-block down the street from the Center for Spiritual Living). 

Here are some suggestions of useful things to bring with you:

  • Water, and perhaps a light snack such as a granola bar
  • Warm clothing. Here is a local weather forecast.
  • A small cushion for sitting (If you think you will need one)
  • Signs (Some ideas: Get ICE out of Alamance, Welcome the Stranger, Dignity – Not Deportation)
  • Comfortable shoes