We are excited to present the first Global Faiths Living Room Theater. Please join us for the viewing of selected chapters of the PBS film Beyond Our Differences.

In addition to watching the film, we will be having a moderated discussion. There will be light refreshments. We will be meeting in homes – one on the east side, one of the west side. Locations to be announced.

Please sign up here. For more information, please email Pat Cameron at pat@globalfaithinaction.org

Haiti Volunteer in Mission Trip

March 16-24, 2012

If you have a desire to visit Haiti, meet some of the most cheerful, caring and spiritually centered people you will ever meet.  If you would like to help build a school, teach in a school, help in the medical clinic, or simply share your life with some of the poorest people in the Western Hemisphere, now is your opportunity.  Please do not think that you do not have anything to offer.  Believe us, we have led many mission trips to Haiti, and everyone always keeps busy!

The following are some of our Mission Goals:

• Medical team to treat patients at Lambert Clinic
• Complete computer technology lab solar panels (and possibly satellite dish)
• Install roof on 4 new classrooms
• Assist teachers with subjects such as computer, English, playtime, etc.

What will you experience?  You will experience “community” first-hand – people caring and struggling together.  You will see and feel poverty like never before.  You will not only ask the question “why so much poverty”, but you will begin to understand why.  And most importantly, you will find yourself not only giving of yourself, but you will likely receive more than you can possibly give.

The cost is $1,500 per person.  This includes transportation, lodging, meals, and fees.  Approximately $400 of the cost is a donation towards the cost of materials such as medical supplies, and building materials we will use during our time in Haiti.

Interested?  Have some questions?

Contact Sam Muyskens, he has been to Haiti and back some 25 times.  He will be the coordinator of the Volunteer in Mission Trip, and he would love to visit with you.  Email him at gfianow@gmail.com, or call him at 316-708-4545.

There are many events planned around the city here in Wichita. We encourage you to participate in them.

Friday, January 13th
The Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Corporate Award Breakfast with guest speaker Rev. Tyrone Gordon.

Sunday, January 15th
The Kansas African American Museum Presents The Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration at the Orpheum Theater.

Monday, January 16th
MLK Celebration sponsored by The Greater Wichita Ministerial League, with guest speaker Brother Weems.

General admission: $3.00 (souvenir button included)

For more information, please visit the Orpheum’s event page.

For tickets, please call 943-8951.

The Immigrant Family Support Network has partnered with Newman University’s Hispanic American Leadership Organization to sponsor a prayer vigil on January 20th at 7:00 pm in the Dugan-Gorges Conference Center. The Sister of the Adorers are also helping organize this event in support of immigrant families and for a just legislative session in Kansas. The Most Reverend Michael O. Jackels, Bishop of Wichita, and other orators – including Global Faith In Action’s Sam Muyskens – will be speaking at the event. We urge you to join.

In the context of the current debate on immigration, it is important for us to remember our ethical responsibilities as people who live faith-driven lives.  Our faiths call us to offer hospitality to strangers.

• The Hebrew Bible: “The strangers who sojourn with you shall be to you as the natives among you, and you shall love them as yourself; for you were strangers in the land of Egypt (Leviticus 19:33-34).”
• In the New Testament, Jesus tells us to welcome the stranger (cf. Matthew 25:35), for “what you do to the least of my brethren, you do unto me (Matthew 25:40).”
• The Qur’an tells us that we should “serve God…and do good to…orphans, those in need, neighbors who are near, neighbors who are strangers, the companion by your side, the wayfarer that you meet, [and those who have nothing] (4:36).”
• The Hindu scripture Taitiriya Upanishad tells us: “The guest is a representative of God (1.11.2)”

As people of faith, we call for the creation of humane policies that honor the sacred humanity of all people—native born, documented or undocumented immigrant.

If you desire to be more educated about immigration issues or would like to write a letter to your representative, please click here for more information. We want to leave you with something to think about. Here are a few common misconceptions about undocumented workers.

• MYTH: The nation spends billions of dollars on welfare for undocumented immigrants.  FACT: To the contrary, undocumented immigrants are not eligible to receive any “welfare” benefits and even legal immigrants are severely restricted in the benefits they can receive. (Source)
• MYTH: Undocumented immigrants are more likely to commit crimes than native-born citizens. FACT: Both undocumented and legal immigrants are significantly less likely to commit crimes than U.S. citizens. (Source)
• MYTH: Most immigrants cross the border illegally. FACT: According to the Department of Homeland Security, around 75% of today’s immigrants have legal permanent (immigrant) visas; of the 25% that are undocumented, 40% overstay temporary (non-immigrant) visas. (Source)
• MYTH: Immigrants don’t pay taxes. FACT: “Undocumented immigrants…contribute to the tax rolls but are ineligible for almost all Federal public assistance and most Federal-State programs.” The Social Security Administration says that undocumented immigrants contribute at the rate of $7 billion per year to fun Social Security benefits, which they will never be able to collect. (Source)

Scriptures compiled by the National Council of Churches. Myths compiled by Sunflower Community Action. 

The Greater Wichita Ministerial League is sponsoring an MLK Celebration at the WSU Metroplex. Brother Weems will be guest speaking at noon.

Check out their event page for more information.

West Side IWJ Listening Lunch – Time to be announced soon.