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Call from Freeman L. Palmer
Interim Southeast Regional Conference Minister

Greetings People of God!

As you may know, on Thursday, July 29th, Arizona intends to legalize racial profiling with a new law known as SB1070.  Many across the nation will be rallying to resist this law and to call for an end to the mass detention and deportation of immigrants.

If you can, please join immigrants and their allies in a march across the iconic Brooklyn Bridge in solidarity with Arizona in the spirit of bridging borders and uniting cultures to demand:
Policies that affirm Family Unity, Due Process and Fairness;
That local law enforcement in Arizona and across the country focus on protecting our communities, not destroying them; and
That President Obama and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) immediately halt the Criminal Alien Program, Secure Communities, 287(g), and all partnerships between ICE and local law enforcement
WHEN: Thursday, July 29, 2010 at 9:30 a.m.
WHERE: Gather at Cadman Plaza, Brooklyn at 9:30am to March (take A/C trains to High Street, OR 2/3/4/5/R trains to Borough Hall) and assemble at 11:30am Foley Square, Manhattan for Rally (4/5 to Brooklyn Bridge OR N/R/W to City hall)
WHO IS MARCHING: YOU, all people of conscience who want to raise their voice for immigrant justice
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON HOW TO JOIN THE MARCH ON JULY 29th CONTACT:  Families for Freedom (646 290 5551), Churches United to Save and Heal (718 469 8900), and New York New Sanctuary Coalition (646 395 2925)
SPONSORED BY: Churches United to Save and Heal (CUSH), Families for Freedom (FFF), American Friends Service Committee NJ (AFSC), New York New Sanctuary Coalition (NYNSC), Immigrant Defense Project (IDP), Wind of the Spirit, the Black Institute, & Northern Manhattan Coalition for Immigrant Rights (NMCIR)

If yon cannot be there, there are other ways our and your congregation can be in solidarity, courtesy of the UCC Justice and Witness Ministries

Organize a Week of Prayer and Fasting (July 26-August 1)

Offer a special worship service on July 29th or soon after. Here is a bilingual sample worship (as a Text Document, As a PDF Document) created by Rev. Jeanette DeLeon, a member of Grace Congregational Church and the Metropolitan Association.

Organize educational forums or nonviolent demonstrations in your local church and/or community.  Resources and information can be found at www.ucc.org/justice/

I thank you for your prayerful consideration and participation in any of these actions.  

May God’s grace abound and let justice prevail!
Freeman

Rev. Freeman L. Palmer
Interim Southeast Regional Conference Minister
New York Conference, United Church of Christ<

Free Workshops – Preparing for End-of-Life & The Church and Money

10 AM – Noon, Saturday, August 7, 2010

St. Albans Congregational Church
Robert Ross Johnson Family Life Center
172-17 Linden Blvd.
St. Albans, NY 11434

All from Suffolk and Metro Association UCC churches are invited to attend these free workshops on Saturday, August 7.  They are offered simultaneously from 10 AM to Noon.  Light refreshments will be served.

The workshop with Rev. Dr. Martha Jacobs provides practical aspects of preparing for the end of one’s life as well as the spiritual issues that arise for those affected by a loved one’s dying.  Jacobs is the author of the new book, A Clergy Guide to End-of-Life Issues.

The workshop with Charlaine Apsel provides guidance on the importance of transparent finances and the need for year-round stewardship education.  Apsel is the Executive Director of the Parish Resource Center East of Rocky Point.

At noon Jacobs will be available to sell and autograph her book.  The cost is $16.

Here are instructions to St. Albans Congregational Church.

Ecclesiastical Council for Christina Jean Alexis

7:00 PM, Thursday, September 9, 2010
West Center Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-3829

Please join us for the Ecclesiastical Council for Christina Jean Alexis who has been called as the Senior Pastor of the Community Congregational Church of Clinton Heights, UCC in Rensslaer, NY.

Ordination of Christina Jean Alexis

4:00 PM, Sunday, October 3, 2010
West Center Church
101 Pondfield Road West
Bronxville, NY 10708
914-337-3829

Please join to celebrate the ordination of Christina Jean Alexis who has been called as the Senior Pastor of the Community Congregational Church of Clinton Heights, UCC in Rensslaer, NY.

Evangelism in the Community

Wednesday – Sunday, November 3-7, 2010

Bushnell United Church of Christ
15000 Southfield Freeway
Detroit, MI 313-272-3550

Our national Congregational Vitality and Discipleship Team is sponsoring this conference designed for the small city church.  Workshops include:

Affordable, Effective, Entrepreneurial Models for Ministry
Are You Plugged In? – Retreat for Youth
Stewardship from a Faith Perspective
Bread for Today/Bread for Eternity

Registration fee is $100/preson.  If five come from one church, registration is only $80/person.

For more information contact these persons in Cleveland:

Charlene J. Smith
smithc@ucc.org
866-822-8224, extension 3815

Karmel Gravely
gravelyk@ucc.org
866-822-8224, extension 3873

Here is the current flyer for this evangelism opportunity.